I dare to say that the name of Mel Brooks brings a smile to most people. His films, which include the western spood Blazing Saddles and his swipe at Hitchcock films in High Anxiety, are some of the funniest ever made.
    In Young Frankenstein (1974), Brooks along with writting partner Gene Wilder set thier sights on The Mary Shelly's classic story of Frankenstein.
    In the film, Gene wilder stars as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced Fronckensteen through most of the film.) He is the grandson of notorious Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein. He is a teacher of neroscience when he apoached with the news that he has inherited the castle of his grandfather. He leaves his pretencious fiance Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn) and heads for the castle.
    Arriving at the castle he meets the hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman), a pretty lab assistant Inga (Teri Garr), and Frau Bluecher (Cloris Leachman). At the castle, Fredrick discovers his grandfathers jopurnals and decied to continue the experiments in creating life. A creature (Peter Boyle) with an abnormal brain is created.
    The creature escapes and terrorizes the town folk, as he looks for compassoion. The good doctor attempts to teach the creature and evens puts on a song and dance show with him. After this fails, the doctor and the creature undergo a transference process where they exchange some of each's mind. The creature gains a rational mind, and the doctor's animal side is strengthened. In the end of the story the creature weds Elizabeth and the doctor ends up with Inga to live happily ever after.
    The movie is shot in black and white, and uses many of the original labrotory proprs ftom the original Universal Frankenstein films.

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Page updated: 11/23/1999