Earlier today, Lis and I watched Young Frankenstein. Did we show our support for Peter Boyle’s Frankenstein’s Monster by shouting, “Puttin’ on the Ritz”? What type of people would we be if we didn’t?
This is October 31st and everyone is talking about their favorite Halloween movies. My favorite is Young Frankenstein, even though it’s not really a horror movie. It’s a comedy and it’s laugh-out-loud funny. Gene Wilder could make any line funny, and Marty Feldman’s Igor is a riot. “My name is Frahnk-en-stine!” “Do not open this door under any circumstances.” “Abby Normal.” But even more than being funny, it’s a really sweet movie. Frankenstein and his castle crew (which includes not just Feldman but also Teri Garr) really do care about their Monster, and the Monster doesn’t mean to get upset. It’s not his fault that all of those people brought cabbages to the performance. I was so happy for the Monster when he found the blind man (Gene Hackman), and I was so sad when he accidentally burned the man’s house down.
Mel Brooks used the original Frankenstein sets for his film, and the movie is also in black-and-white. Whenever I watch Young Frankenstein, I can see that Brooks really loved the characters and the story, and that’s what makes Young Frankenstein more than just a wacky comedy. It’s got a heart, one that’s been brought to life by a few jolts of electricity.
Who was the best Frankenstein’s Monster? Boris Karloff, Jacob Elordi, and Robert De Niro were all good. But for me, the answer will always be Peter Boyle, and Gene Wilder will always be the best Dr. Frankenstein.
I hope you watched Young Frankenstein this October, and if you didn’t, I hope you’ll watch next year. Thank you, Mel Brooks, for making me laugh and warming my heart!
