A Look at Mel Brooks’ Live Streamed Introduction for Young Frankenstein

Last night I left work early and raced to Reno, singing loudly the whole way. I was so excited to plant myself in one of those red theater chairs with a pretzel and a soda to hear Mel Brooks’ live-streamed intro to Young Frankenstein, a one night and one night only Fathom event to pay homage to the passing of the great Gene Wilder.

Wilder, one of the greatest actors of our time, recently passed away due to complications with Alzheimer’s disease. Mel Brooks, a longtime friend of Gene Wilder and director of their co-written magnum opus, Young Frankenstein, got emotional recalling the process of creating the masterful sci-fi classic. Brooks was filmed walking around a production lot in Hollywood until he arrived at an auditorium, and made his way up to the stage, sitting in a white blazer with a small stain on the left side, with a beautifully loud tropical tie against his black shirt and slacks. The audience clapped and expressed their love as he alternated between sitting and standing, wave his arms energetically.

The birth of a masterpiece

Brooks began by telling the audience Young Frankenstein’s origin story: One day, Wilder came up with the concept (hunched over a yellow legal pad, says Brooks) of an American scientist who tries to fight off the Frankenstein blood running through his veins, and eventually succumbs to the suppressed desire to continue in his grandfather’s work – the work of the infamous Baron Von Frankenstein. Brooks loved the idea, and they worked together to create the screenplay that would be transformed into the sensational film we all know and love.

According to Brooks’ anecdote, after presenting their screenplay and concept to Columbia Pictures (who just got color picture technology), Brooks’ and Wilder turned to leave, and just before shutting the door behind them, Brooks’ turned and said, “Oh, and we’re shooting it in black and white.”

Immediately, what Brooks’ referred to as a “phalanx of Jews” rushed down the hall after him, trying to threaten him out of changing his mind. Brooks’ and Wilder walked on, and pitched their idea to 20th Century Fox the very next day, just in case Columbia Pictures refused to shoot it in black and white.

“I’ve had a lot of happy times, but that year filming was the best, the happiest year.” Mel Brooks

The next year was spent filming Young Frankenstein, which Brooks’ called the best year of his life. At this point, his voice became hoarse, and he occasionally had to pause to gather his emotions. It was obvious on his face how much he cared for Wilder, and how passionately he loves the film they created together. The on-screen chemistry between Wilder, Peter Boyle, and Marty Feldman was only matched by their creative genius working in conjunction with Brooks’. The team had so much fun filming Young Frankenstein that shots often had to be redone up to 15 times to quell the laughter. Wilder was especially guilty of this, Brooks said, often ruining whole takes because of his uncontrollable laughter.

“Love is the only thing that can save this poor creature, and I am going to convince him that he is loved even at the cost of my own life.” Dr. Frankenstein (Gene Wilder)

Due to issues with the live-streamed intro, we were shown the beginning of the film before it cut out and returned to Mel Brooks. After the true end of Brooks’ intro, the film was restarted from the beginning. Because of this, the magic and wonder in this movie became clearly evident: the entire audience laughed at the jokes from the beginning both times they were shown, not even 10 minutes apart. It is because of this humor, the pure joy and hilarity Wilder and Brooks imbued this film with, that it will be loved throughout generations.

Wilder’s death seems even more real now, after watching his longtime friend and partner tear up in front of thousands. An amazing actor, and an amazing man, with Brooks’ blessing we bid our rather brilliant surgeon, the great Dr. “Frodrick Fronkensteen,” a final adieu.

Featured Image: 20th Century Fox