While working on Blazing Saddles, Wilder fiddled with an outline he had written for Young Frankenstein and asked Brooks to do it with him. Wilder played Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, who creates a monster just like his grandfather did, and he and Brooks shared a screenplay Oscar nom for the 1974 classic, released in theaters just 10 months after Blazing Saddles. It was Wilder’s idea to have Frankenstein and his monster (Peter Boyle) do the song-and-dance number “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation/PhotofestLOS ANGELES (AP) — Young Frankenstein will come alive in theaters once again on Oct. 5, with a live introduction from writer-director Mel Brooks, who will pay tribute to the classic spoof’s late star Gene Wilder.
The intro will be broadcast from the 20th Century Fox Lot in 500 theaters nationwide, according to an announcement Tuesday from Fathom Events.
In addition to touring the studio lot, where much of the movie was filmed, Brooks is expected to reminisce about his friend and collaborator Wilder, who died Aug. 29 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Young Frankenstein is one of Wilder’s most fondly remembered films. The announcement comes on the heels of AMC Theaters bringing other Wilder favorites Blazing Saddles and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory back to theaters this past weekend.
