🧟‍♂️ Young Frankenstein (1974)

“It’s pronounced Fronkensteen!”

Lets start by showing y’all the trailers shall we?

—

🎬 Non-Spoiler Thoughts

I recently watched Young Frankenstein and wow — no wonder this has become so many people’s favorite Frankenstein movie. It’s not scary, not faithful to Mary Shelley’s text, and it doesn’t even pretend to be. Instead, it’s Mel Brooks at his finest, riffing off Universal horror while still showing love to what came before.

Gene Wilder as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (or should I say Fronkensteen) sells every scene with his manic energy. The joke of him trying to distance himself from the infamous family name only to get sucked into the same experiments is genius. And honestly? This film is shot like a legit 1930s Universal horror movie. The black-and-white cinematography, the old lab equipment (some borrowed from the original Frankenstein film!), and the gothic castle setting make it feel like a lost Universal entry — except this one happens to be hilarious.

It works because it’s parody with respect. The jokes land, the timing is perfect, and the cast (Marty Feldman as Igor, Teri Garr as Inga, Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher — cue horse scream 🐎) is absolute perfection.


—

👥 Character Rundown

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) – The grandson who insists he’s not like his ancestor… until he is. Wilder brings the kind of manic breakdowns only he can deliver.

Igor (Marty Feldman) – The assistant with a wandering hump. He breaks the fourth wall constantly and steals scenes with sarcastic one-liners.

Inga (Teri Garr) – Frederick’s bubbly assistant, who often acts as comic relief and love interest.

Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman) – The housekeeper with sinister vibes… and a running gag with horses screaming every time her name is mentioned.

The Creature (Peter Boyle) – The monster itself, brought to life again — but played for both laughs and pathos.



—

✅ Pros

The black-and-white cinematography nails the Universal vibe.

Gene Wilder’s over-the-top performance never gets old.

Jokes are timeless (even 50 years later, they land).

Peter Boyle as the creature is funny yet sympathetic.

The balance of parody and homage makes it stand above most horror comedies.



—

❌ Cons

Some humor might feel dated or juvenile to modern audiences.

It’s definitely more comedy than horror — if you’re expecting scares, this isn’t it.

The plot is predictable if you know the Universal formula.

🎭 Final Thoughts & Rating

Young Frankenstein is one of the greatest horror-comedies ever made. It’s hilarious, it’s stylish, and it’s the perfect parody that honors what came before. Is it faithful to Shelley’s novel? Absolutely not. Does it matter? Absolutely not. This isn’t meant to be horror — it’s a love letter to Universal’s monster movies, delivered with Mel Brooks’ signature insanity.

⭐ Rating: 9/10 highly recommend this iconic comedy classic.



—

⚡ Spoiler Warning ⚡

Okay, let’s dig into the good stuff — full spoilers ahead!


—

🧟‍♂️ Creature Design

The design of the monster is a parody, but it still fits into the long legacy of Frankenstein onscreen. Peter Boyle’s creature keeps the familiar flat head, bolts, and stitches, but with exaggerated makeup that enhances the comedy. He’s tall, lumbering, and goofy-looking, yet sympathetic at the same time. What’s clever is how the design mirrors Universal’s monster — enough to feel authentic, but with just enough absurdity (and Boyle’s comedic facial expressions) to keep you laughing.


—

🩸 Full Spoilers

The film follows Frederick Frankenstein as he inherits his grandfather’s castle and experiments. At first, he’s adamant he’s nothing like Victor Frankenstein, but Igor and Inga help him fall right into the family legacy. Cue lightning, cue body-snatching, cue the Monster waking up.

Some of the best gags:

The brain swap scene, where Igor accidentally grabs the “Abnormal” brain. (“Abby Normal.”)

The musical number “Puttin’ on the Ritz” — where the Monster in top hat and tails does a full-on performance. Absolutely iconic.

Frau Blücher’s sinister violin playing and constant horse scream gag.

The Monster gaining intelligence after a brain transfer with Frederick — making him articulate, charming, and still hilarious.


The ending gives the Monster a weirdly wholesome arc: he becomes a functioning, intelligent member of society while Frederick gains a bit of his primal side. It’s absurd, but in the most Mel Brooks way possible.


—