The Complete Young Frankenstein (40th Anniversary)

The Complete Young Frankenstein

The Final Script

With Gags & Trivia Galore

Edited by Louie du Ratté

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Copyright © 2014 Blanc & Associates, Inc.

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved

ISBN - 10: 1502859505

ISBN - 13: 978-1502859501

Introduction

The American Film Institute (AFI) is a non-profit educational and cultural organization that is dedicated to preserve the history of motion pictures. It honors the artists and their work in order to educate future generations of storytellers.

AFI has published the Top 100 Funniest Movies in American Cinema. Young Frankenstein is Number 13 on the list!! It is with good reason that it is on top. Mel Brooks was quoted to say, Young Frankenstein is, by far, the Best Movie I ever made.

This book gives you everything you will ever need to enjoy all of the Features and History of Young Frankenstein. Like the many others who have purchased this book, you will cherish the Final Script, the 280 Gags, the 55 Trivia Facts, the 24 Bloopers, the Reviews, Articles, and Wilder’s Original Script. Thank You and Enjoy!

This book is licensed for you to read and enjoy.

Please do so with my blessing.

This book cannot be legally

re-sold or given away to anyone else.

Thank you so much for respecting my hard work.

I spent many grueling hours producing

this entertaining work of art.

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Table of Contents

Act I – Beaufort’s Will

Scene 2 - Baron Beaufort Frankenstein’s Casket

Scene 3 - University Classroom – A Brain Demonstration

Scene 4 - U.S. Train Station – Bon Voyage

Scene 6 - Transylvania Train Station – Meet Igor

Scene 8 - Frankenstein Castle – Meet Frau Blücher

Scene 10 - Victor Frankenstein’s Bedroom – Ovaltine!

Scene 11 - Frederick’s Bed – Fredrick’s Nightmare

Scene 14 - Laboratory Storage Room – Nice Skulls!

Scene 15 - Victor Frankenstein’s Laboratory – First Discovery

Act II – A Creature Created

Scene 16 - Victor Frankenstein’s Secret Library – How I Did It!

Scene 17 – The Dining Room – A Monster Plan

Scene 18 - A Local Grave Yard – Let’s Dig!

Scene 22 - The Brain Depository – Abby Normal

Scene 23 - Victor Frankenstein’s Laboratory – Monster Creation

Scene 25 - Dining Room, Evening Meal – Creature Failure

Scene 27 - Dining Room, Evening Dessert – A Monster’s Growl!

Scene 29 - Castle Living Room – Kemp’s Dart Visit

Act III – The Monster Escapes

Scene 31 - Victor’s Laboratory – The Monster’s Escape

Scene 33 - Blind Man’s Cabin – Soup, Wine, & Cigars

Scene 34 - The Town Center – A Net Monster Capture

Scene 35 - Castle Cell Room – Let me out!

Act IV – The Monster Panics

Scene 36 – Bucharest Theatre – Perform, Panic, Prison

Scene 38 - Victor’s Laboratory – A Little Peace

Scene 40 - Castle Entrance – Meet Elizabeth

Scene 41 - Local Police Station – The Monster Escapes

Scene 43 - Elizabeth’s Bedroom – Fred & Liz Chat

Scene 45 - Elizabeth’s Bedroom – The Monster Kidnaps Liz

Act V – The Monster Reforms

Scene 49 - Deep In the Forest – Liz Sees a Penis, Woof!

Scene 52 - The Castle Roof Top – The Monster Returns

Scene 53 - Victor’s Laboratory – A Brain Transfer

Scene 55 - Victor’s Laboratory – The Monster Speaks

Scene 58 - Fred & Inga’s Bedroom – Frederick’s New Dick

Appendix A – F

Appendix A - Beginning Credits

Appendix B – Selected Young Frankenstein Reviews

Appendix C – Selected Articles & News Stories

Appendix D – Selected Reviews of the Three Classics

Appendix E - A Summary of Gags

Appendix F – Gene Wilder’s Original Script

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Introduction

How I Did It!

Love at First Site

In 1975, I was on vacation with my two children and my parents in Dublin, Ireland. One afternoon the kids and I went to see a new movie called, Young Frankenstein. Within the first few minutes, I realized this classic film would become one of my favorite movies. I had always been a great fan of the original Frankenstein movies, produced in the 1930’s. This one was a take-off on all three (3) of the classics.

Find The Gags

Years ago, I decided to review my VHS tape of Young Frankenstein (1974) so I could identify and document each of the Funny Lines and Gags in the movie. It didn’t sound like a big job. All I had to do was jot down each gag. As I watched the tape, I realized the various gags were of varying degrees of humor. I then decided to give each gag a rating. Some of them were Classic and some were just Wanting.

Construct a Script

While I was documenting each gag and rating it, I found myself recording the exact words for each gag. As time went by, I decided, What the hell, I might as well just record the whole movie on paper. There are almost 23,000 words spoken in the movie. My little project had turned into a Monster Project, no pun intended.

The Script is Unique

After some time, I realized I was actually producing a script of the movie that probably had never existed on paper. Why? During the filming of the movie, Mel Brooks, and Gene Wilder re-wrote the script for many of the important scenes. They then re-shot the scene with the new lines. Some scenes were re-written several times.

The script, at the start of shooting, was probably changed hundreds of times. I was actually producing, The Final Script of Young Frankenstein (1974).

Crude Method

I have no shorthand skills and I don’t write exceptionally fast. My method of recording the lines was crude. For my initial pass of a scene, I frantically wrote down as many words as I could for the first 6 or 7 seconds. In my next pass, I tried to fill in the words I missed. It usually took me four or five passes before I recorded all of the words.

I then rushed to my computer and typed all of the words I had just recorded. I then rushed back to the movie and confirmed that what I wrote down was what they actually said. After several passes of this, I eventually had an accurate script for one particular scene. Whew!

Mumbling Actors

Sometimes I couldn’t make out the words an actor was saying. Gene Hackman was probably the worst one. He played The Blind Man. As it was a cameo part, they didn’t have much time to shoot his scenes with the Monster. I also believe he may not have spent much time memorizing his part of the script. As a result, he mumbled much of the time, along with some ad-libs, on the way. It was extremely difficult to accurately record his lines. Even then, he did a Fantastic job.

Screwing Up

After making many passes of each scene, I noticed some of the small blunders they had made during shooting. On some of the re-takes, the scenes might have changed. Props and articles may have magically appeared or disappeared. Whenever I noticed one, I added a note under the "Screw Up:" heading. There are 24 places they messed up that were worth mentioning. There are many minor ones that people have discovered through the years, but all movies have those.

Notes of Interest

Any time I could mention an insight into the making of the film or make a reference to the original movies, I added these comments under the "Note:" heading. There are 55 references to notes that I have made. Most of them are worth reading.

Finally!

After I finished the movie script and rated the 280 Gags, I enjoyed watching the movie again with my script in hand. Each time, I made a few corrections and additions. I also recorded the elapse time it took for each of the 60 scenes. Finally, I have included five (5) Professional Movie Reviews that have been published over the years. There are also three (3) recent News Articles about awards and the 40th Anniversary of the movie’s release.

Possession and Protection

In the past, I printed out a final document for a few friends and relatives so they could follow the script while watching the movie. I was afraid to send it to them electronically for fear it would get into the wrong hands and be published without any recognition or monetary rewards on my part. I do so now with the same reservations. Please do not steal this script, after the many hours I spent producing it. I beg you. With that said, let’s move onward to the movie!

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Scene 1 - Movie Credits & The Frankenstein Castle - Time 4:42

We see the Frankenstein Castle upon a hill, in the distance. There is one small light on. As the credits go by, we slowly zoom in on the Castle. Then it comes. . .

The Complete Film Credits are listed at the end of the movie. Following are the important cast credits.

Frederick Frankenstein -- -- -- Gene Wilder

The Monster -- -- -- Peter Boyle

Igor -- -- -- Marty Feldman

Inga -- -- -- Teri Garr

Frau Blücher -- -- -- Cloris Leachman

Inspector Kemp -- -- -- Kenneth Mars

Elizabeth -- -- -- Madeline Kahn

Blind Man -- -- -- Gene Hackman

Gerhart Falkstein -- -- -- Richard Haydn

Mr. Hilltop -- -- -- Liam Dunn

Medical Student -- -- -- Danny Goldman

Sadistic Jailor -- -- -- Oscar Beregi

Village Elder -- -- -- Authur Malet

Helda, Little Girl -- -- -- Anne Beesley

Inspector Kemp’s Aid -- -- -- Richard Roth

Grave Digger 1 -- -- -- Monte Landis

Grave Digger 2 -- -- -- Rusty Blitz

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Screenplay By Gene Wilder & Mel Brooks

(Nominated, Academy Award, Adapted Screenplay, 1975)

Music Composed & Conducted By John Morris

Film Editor -- -- -- John C. Howard

Sound Mixing & Rerecording By

Gene Cantamessa & Richard Portman

(Nominated, Academy Award for Best Sound, 1975)

Director of Photography -- -- -- Gerald Hirschfeld

Produced By Michael Gruskoff

Directed By Mel Brooks

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Based on Characters From --

The Novel

Frankenstein 1816

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly

The Movies

Frankenstein 1931

The Bride of Frankenstein 1935

The Son of Frankenstein 1939

The Main Characters –

Frederick Frankenstein -- -- -- Gene Wilder (Born – 1933, Died – Not Yet)

Frederick is a somewhat naive college professor in an upstate New York Medical University. He specializes in brain anatomy and surgery. He also has the unfortunate distinction of being the grandson of the famous Baron Victor Frankenstein of Transylvania, who created the original Frankenstein Monster.

The Monster -- -- -- Peter Boyle (Born - 1935, Died - 2006, Age 71)

The Monster is the magnificent creation of Frederick Frankenstein. The Monster’s body came mostly from a huge man who was hanged on the gallows and buried in a local cemetery. Unfortunately, the wrong brain was used. As a result, the Monster suffers from spats of temper and rage, sometimes triggered by the presence of fire.

Elizabeth -- -- -- Madeline Kahn (Born - 1942, Died - 1999 Age 57)

Elizabeth is Frederick’s rich virgin fiancée. She is a phony socialite who loves herself and her clothes before she thinks of anyone else. Daddy takes care of her and also helps Frederick finance his experiments. (Nominated, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, 1975)

Igor -- -- -- Marty Feldman (Born - 1934, Died - 1982, Age 48)

Igor (pronounced Eye-Gor) was hired by Gerhart Falkstein to be Frederick’s Personal Assistant during his stay in Transylvania. He is a scrawny hunchback and is the Grandson of the original laboratory assistant, Fritz (Also a Hunchback), to Frederick’s Grandfather, Victor. (Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor, 1976}

Frau Blücher -- -- -- Cloris Leachman (Born - 1926, Died - Not Yet)

Frau Blücher is the housekeeper and cook for the Frankenstein Castle. She has held this position for many years and was present when Victor completed his Monstrous experiments. She is efficient, disciplined, mysterious, and cheerless. Her feelings for Frederick are somewhat mixed. (Nominated, Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, 1975)

Inga -- -- -- Teri Garr (Born - 1947, Died - Not Yet)

Inga is a pretty Hungarian Woman who has been hired by Gerhart Falkstein to be Frederick’s Laboratory Assistant. She has the highest respect for Frederick and would like to get into his pants. She is extremely dedicated as a Laboratory Assistant, plus she makes an excellent and caring companion.

Inspector Kemp -- -- -- Kenneth Mars (Born - 1935, Died - 2011, Age 75)

Hans Wilhelm Friederich Kemp is the local Police Inspector. He is a great leader in this small community, including the organization of Riot Squads. Kemp is missing his right arm, but has cleverly fitted a mechanical wooden arm that works some of the time. The villagers have selected him to be the one to see what Frederick and his gang are up to.

Gerhart Falkstein -- -- -- Richard Haydn (Born - 1905, Died - 1985, Age 80)

Gerhart is the executor of the estate of Frederick’s Great Grandfather, Baron Beaufort Frankenstein. After finally finding Baron Beaufort’s will in his casket, he travels to New York to pass on the wealth to the Grandson. He also arranges Frederick’s trip to Transylvania.

Mr. Hilltop -- -- -- Liam Dunn (Born - 1916, Died - 1976, Age 59)

Mr. Hilltop is the unlucky Guinea Pig that Frederick Frankenstein has hired for a class demonstration. Frederick uses him to show students the difference between voluntary and involuntary nerve impulse. Unfortunately, Mr. Hilltop gets a knee in the groin and is carried away on a gurney.

Movie Gags

There are 280 Gags in the movie. Each Gag is judged on the basis of the Ten (10) Criteria below---

Humor - Impact

Surprise - Originality

Expression - Implementation

Theme of Scene - Memorability

Gag Ratings

Following are the Seven (7) Gag Ratings and what they mean:

(10) - Movie Classic!

(9) - Great Gag!

(8) - Good Joke!

(7) - Above Average

(6) – Average

(5) - Below Average

(4) - Boring!

Gag Example

Each Gag Rating appears in parenthesis ( ) after the actor who performs it. The example below is a Nine (9) rated Gag by Igor:

Igor: (9) Igor now thinks he has solved it. He exclaims, Dirty Word!. . . He said a Dirty Word!

Back to Table of Contents

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Act 1 – Beaufort’s Will

Scene 2 - Baron Beaufort Frankenstein’s Parlor Room - Time 1:38

We approach the Frankenstein Castle. We see the dark musty courtyard. It is drizzling rain which makes everything blurry. As we see the Castle’s lit window, Mel Brooks’ name as Director comes on the screen. The music reaches crescendo. Very Impressive!

We are now inside the Castle, in the Parlor Room. We see the clock on the wall striking midnight and a blazing fireplace. We slowly circle around the bottom of a large, fancy casket. As we rise, the top of the casket is visible. We can see Baron Von Frankenstein etched on the top of it, along with the Frankenstein Seal. The casket lid flies open.

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Note: A Casket and a Coffin are two (2) completely different containers for dead corpses. A Casket is rectangular, usually with a fancy lid and handles on the sides. A Coffin is six (6) sided and is usually made of wood. It is the widest where the corpse’s shoulders are positioned. From there it slants down to the feet. Sometimes there are rope handles for the pallbearers.

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Screw Up: For some dumb reason, the clock chimes 13 times when it’s actually midnight. I can’t believe they did this on purpose. The sound people obviously goofed up.

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Gerhart: (9) Inside the casket is a bony corpse holding a locked fancy box. The corpse is Baron Beaufort Von Frankenstein, Frederick’s Great Grandfather. In the box is his last will and testament. We see Gerhart