Young Frankenstein
Summary
Fifty years ago , the Gene Wilder - ledYoung Frankensteindefined the hallmarks of the modern legacy continuation . In mod film , there have plenty of bequest sequels that expand on previous film macrocosm by premise unexampled generation of heroes . Beyond direct sequels likeCandymanandTop Gun : Maverick , franchises likeStar Wars , Indiana Jones , Ghostbusters , Scream , andHalloweenhave used the concept to set up new characters — often with direct ties to premature heroes and villains .
While this construct has become more pop in the 21st century , there are examples of it occurring in previous decades of photographic film . Legacy sequels likePsycho IIandTexas Chainsaw Massacre 2codified how to bring back previous characters to terrorize novel generations of characters , but Gene Wilder ’s turn of events as the inheritor to the Frankenstein legacy predates both of those pic by almost a decade . In fact , Young Frankensteinhas many of the hallmarks of themodern legacy subsequence movie , but has one authoritative element that elevates it beyond all the others .
Young Frankenstein range amongst Mel Brooks ’ most brainy piece of work , but its pitch-dark and white aesthetic is unusual for a 1974 film . Here ’s why that is .
How Young Frankenstein Defined The Legacy Sequel
Young FrankensteinHonors The OriginalFrankensteinIn Several Big Ways
Mel Brooks’Young Frankensteinmay be one of the early examples of the Legacy Sequelas a construct in film , and had a crucial strength that other standardised moving picture should prove to double . Released in 1974,Young Frankensteinis regard as one of the best film spoof of all time , with a loving and hilariousparody of the classic Universal Monster Moviesthat still feel authentic to the original . Gene Wilder plays Frederick Frankenstein , the grandson of the infamous Doctor Frankenstein . Mel Brooks made the film less as a parody ofFrankenstein , and more a comedic take on the concept .
Young Frankensteinshares many of the stylemark that have fare to define the legacy continuation as a concept . It focuses on a descendent of an established type , a connectionYoung Frankensteinmakes overt when it returns to the setting of the originalFrankenstein . It plays audio from the original moving-picture show to reinforce that connection , and features several visual references to past movies . It plays with iconic sequences from older pic , lay a Modern twisting on established dynamics between Frankenstein ’s fresh Monster and the the great unwashed he encounters . In many ways , Young Frankensteinfeels like a predecessor to the New legacy continuation .
Was Young Frankenstein The First Legacy Sequel?
Young FrankensteinWas Released Decades Before Legacy Sequels Became The Norm
There ’s a type to be made thatYoung Frankensteinwas the first legacy sequel in Hollywood . While there had been plenty of direct sequels and long - scat enfranchisement , few carry the trademark of what is considered a modern bequest continuation . 1986’sThe Color of Moneywas a good former exemplar of that conception , bringing back Paul Newman ’s eccentric fromThe Hustlerwhile introducing a heir with Tom Cruise ’s Vincent . Other early example of the concept include 1984’sPsycho II , 1985’sReturn to Ozand 1998’sHalloween H20 : 20 long time later on , which bring back Jamie Lee Curtis ' Laurie .
Young Frankensteinpredates all those films , however , and follows the kind of arc that can be see in many mod bequest films . There ’s a reverence for the prior film that still cause room for subversion and geographic expedition . The youthful versions of the older archetypes bring a unique energy to the story that still feels connected to the pilot . This allowsYoung Frankensteinto work as a continuation of the original dealership , while still feeling like a stand - alone story . Notably , this bequest sequel does something that many others fail to achieve .
Mel Brooks is known for stool amazing parodies , with Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein often affect as his good .
Why More Legacy Sequels Need To Be Like Young Frankenstein
Young FrankensteinEmbraced A Unique Tone And Stands Out From The Films That Inspired It
Young Frankensteinis a loving homage to previous world-wide monster movies , while still feeling unique to them . By embracing a comedic approach to the construct , the motion picture does n’t just feel like a retread even as it touches on many of the same tale beats as the originalFrankenstein . It feels inspired byFrankensteinand at once connected to it , but stand alone as a disjoined floor . A common criticism of bequest sequels in modern cinema is that they in the end result in belittle returns . By repeat the same ideas but with a new cast , they ask for direct equivalence to the previous film .
More legacy sequels should be likeYoung Frankensteinand squeeze a different style or tone to their predecessors . This does n’t mean they all need to be comedies , just that they ’re willing to experiment with the conception . A willingness to be a different variety of picture show within the fabric of previous creations would give the filmmaker exemption to enjoin their own story , while still tie in it to a recognisable and democratic construct . Young Frankensteinmight be one of the early versions of a cinematic bequest sequel , but its willingness to be different imply it stay one of the secure .
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Cast
Directed by Mel Brooks , Young Frankenstein is a drollery that parodies Mary Shelley ’s classic horror novel with Gene Wilder in the role of the notorious mad scientist ’s grandson . Marty Feldman depict Igor , Teri Garr plays Inga , Cloris Leachman meet the scary housekeeper Frau Blücher , and Peter Boyle give life sentence to the Monster .
Directed by Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein is a comedy that parodies Mary Shelley’s classic horror novel with Gene Wilder in the role of the infamous mad scientist’s grandson. Marty Feldman portrays Igor, Teri Garr plays Inga, Cloris Leachman plays the scary housekeeper Frau Blücher, and Peter Boyle gives life to the Monster.
