Perhaps it is the fault of the Christmas season. Or perhaps it is due to other distractions.
But, somehow, it completely slipped below my personal radar that last Tuesday was the 35th anniversary of the theatrical release of one of my favorite movie comedies, "Young Frankenstein."
Well, better late than never, I suppose.
Actually, if you're tired of the Christmas movies and specials, an evening of "Young Frankenstein" ...
... with Eye–gor and Frohderick Fronkensteen might be just the antidote.
Truthfully, the movie was a loving parody of the movie version of Mary Shelley's horror classic, filmed in black and white like the famous 1931 film starring Boris Karloff and featuring spoofs of famous scenes with Mel Brooks' distinctive sense of humor. The original "Frankenstein" wasn't the only source of material. Brooks and co–writer Gene Wilder also borrowed from sequels "Bride of Frankenstein," "Son of Frankenstein" and "Ghost of Frankenstein," as well as "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man."
It's one of the few comedies I have ever seen that is still as funny today as it was the first time I saw it.
Some of the extraordinarily talented cast members — Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn— are deceased now. Others — Wilder, Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Gene Hackman — are in their 60s, 70s or 80s.
But there may be no other film that gives you this kind of opportunity to enjoy them in their prime.
I must confess, one of my favorite pieces of dialogue is ...
Inga: Werewolf!
Dr. Frankenstein: Where wolf?
Igor: There.
Dr. Frankenstein: What?
Igor: There, wolf. There, castle.
Dr. Frankenstein: Why are you talking that way?
Igor: I thought you wanted to.
Dr. Frankenstein: No, I don't want to.
Igor: [shrugs] Suit yourself. I'm easy.
Or perhaps the running gag about Frau Blücher ...
Yep, I really like this movie.
