Catch up on Mel Brooks' finest
It's alive! What could possibly be more funny than Mel Brooks' classic spoof film "Young Frankenstein?"
Thus begins an online listing about the Middle Georgia premiere of "Young Frankenstein," which opens tonight at Theatre Macon. The production is directed by Jim Crisp, with music direction provided by Athens Carter and Ellen Wilson.
Officially known as "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein," it is an award-winning stage play that's derived from an impressive line of creative works. The modern-day musical is an adaptation of the 1974 horror comedy film directed by Mel Brooks, which is a parody of the 1931 classic horror sci-fi monster film adapted from a 1927 play based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus."
Mental Floss, a website for information junkies, has compiled a revealing article entitled "15 Things You Might Not Know About Young Frankenstein." It includes interviews with Mel Brooks and a few of the film's stars, some outtakes from the film, and video clips of scenes (be sure to watch Marty Feldman as Igor in "Walk This Way" -- it's a classic!).
The following is a short list based on the Mental Floss article.
1. Studio executives tried to get Mel Brooks to shoot the film in color but the director wanted to remain true to the feel of the classic Frankenstein films produced in the 1930s and 1940s, so "Young Frankenstein" is shot in black-and-white with 1930s-style credits.
2. As part of his agreement to star in the film, Gene Wilder, also co-writer, convinced Mel Brooks not to make his usual Alfred Hitchcock-like cameo appearance.
3. Several props seen in the film were also used in the 1931 "Frankenstein," the 87th greatest movie of all time according to the American Film Institute. The line "It's alive! It's alive!" is ranked as the 49th greatest movie quote in American cinema.
4. Gene Hackman, who played Harold the lonely blind man, asked for a part because he wanted to try his acting skills at comedy.
5. "Young Frankenstein" was the third highest grossing film in 1974. Another Mel Brook's film, "Blazing Saddles," was No. 1 at the box office that year.
6. Mel Brooks invited Cloris Leachman to reprise her role as Frau Blucher (insert many horses whinnying here) in the stage musical.
See "Young Frankenstein" at Theatre Macon through April 23. Call 478-746-9485 for ticket information and review the entire season at www.theatremacon.com
Contact Melanie Byas at melanie@retrowarehouse.com.
This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 7:18 PM with the headline "Catch up on Mel Brooks' finest ."