Young Frankenstein

What a night!   In honor of the late, beloved actor, Gene Wilder, Fathom Events held a screening of Young Frankenstein for one night throughout the United States.  The cool thing about this screening was the LIVE introduction by Mel Brooks, the film’s writer and director.   The 90 year old Brooks is still as sharp and funny as ever.  Once his introduction was over and the movie began, there were very few times that I wasn’t laughing or smiling at his great comedy.  Wilder is  perfect as Victor Frankenstein (who has trouble with the pronunciation of his name) a grandson of the infamous mad doctor.  Teri Garr has impeccable comic timing as his assistant.  The movie is stolen by the great Marty Feldman as Igor the hunchback assistant with the migrating hump.  One of my favorite scenes involves a hermit played by Gene Hackman who is visited by Peter Boyle as the monster who was given “Abby’s” brain by mistake, absolute comic genius.  The cast is full of great performances.  How can we forget Cloris Leachman playing cigar smoking Frau Blucher, or Kenneth Mars as one armed Inspector Kemp?   Madeline Kahn is superlative  as a sort of Frankenstein’s bride who sings “Oh Sweet Mystery of Life At last I’ve found You” when she and the well-endowed monster finally consummate their love.  If you have never seen this movie, please do yourself a favor.  Watch the whole movie, not just a snippet here or there.  There is a reason it makes everyone’s list as one of the greatest comedies of all time.  It is that good!