Fresh Air (NPR)
Episode: The Making Of ‘Young Frankenstein’
Date: October 31, 2025
Episode Overview
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mel Brooks’ classic horror comedy Young Frankenstein (1974) and Halloween, Fresh Air devotes this episode to exploring the film’s creation, creative influences, memorable moments, and enduring legacy. Host David Bianculli introduces a series of archive interviews with cast members—including Gene Wilder, Teri Garr, Peter Boyle, and Cloris Leachman—as well as Mel Brooks, providing an in-depth, behind-the-scenes oral history full of warmth and humor.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Genesis of ‘Young Frankenstein’
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Gene Wilder’s Inspiration: Wilder, terrified by the original Frankenstein films as a child, wanted to create a film with a happier ending and a comedic twist.
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Writing Collaboration: Wilder wrote daily, with Brooks reviewing and responding, sparking creative debates and breakthroughs.
“I was writing every day, and then Mel would come to the house and read what I'd written ... and then he'd go away, and I would write all the next day, and he'd come and look at it.” —Gene Wilder (03:09)
Memorable Script Dispute:
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The “Puttin’ on the Ritz” Scene: Initially, Brooks opposed the musical number, calling it “frivolous.”
- Wilder passionately defended its inclusion, convincing Brooks through sheer enthusiasm.
“My temperature rose ... I started screaming. And then all of a sudden he said, okay, it’s in ... I wasn’t sure if it was right. And I thought if you didn’t argue for it, then it was wrong, and if you did, it was right.” —Gene Wilder recounting Mel Brooks' process (03:34)
2. Casting, Characters, and Iconic Gags
- Assembling the Cast: Brooks and Wilder built an ensemble with comedic and dramatic pedigrees: Cloris Leachman, Gene Hackman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Teri Garr, and Marty Feldman.
- Classic Jokes Origin:
- “Walk this way”: Mel Brooks brought this vaudeville bit to the set; Wilder had never heard it before, highlighting Brooks’ deep roots in classic comedy.
- “What knockers”: An improvised Brooks suggestion to Wilder as he lifted Garr; not in the script but became iconic.
3. Distinct Comic Traditions: Brooks & Wilder
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Different Backgrounds: Brooks brought in East Coast/Borscht Belt/vaudevillian humor; Wilder’s sensibility was shaped by more literary or absurd styles.
- Wilder admired but didn't share Brooks' roots: “I certainly didn’t have New York Jewish humor, but I was in three Mel Brooks films, so people thought I was a connoisseur.” (14:23)
“Mine was Sherlock Holmes, Smarter Brother ... his was much broader, I think, much funnier, too.” —Gene Wilder (15:26)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“Puttin’ on the Ritz” Performance
- [05:49–07:03]
- Wilder (as Dr. Frankenstein) presents his ‘cultured man about town’ monster to a Transylvanian audience, launching into “Puttin' on the Ritz” with Peter Boyle’s monster—a set piece cited by every interviewee as a highlight and creative risk.
“Walk This Way”
- [10:33–11:46]
- Brooks to Marty Feldman: “Bend over and say to Gene, walk this way. And then crouch down and walk away.”
- Wilder’s confusion and subsequent explanation exemplifies the blending of classic vaudeville into the film’s DNA.
“What Knockers”
- [12:22–12:40]
- As Gene lifts Teri Garr’s Inga, his head in her chest, he quips: “What knockers.” Inga (Garr): “Thank you, Doctor.”
Segment-by-Segment Breakdown & Timestamps
Opening & Context
- [00:17] David Bianculli sets the stage, tracing the film’s affectionate parody of Universal horror films and describing the original conception (00:17–02:51).
Gene Wilder Interview with Terry Gross (2005)
- Writing process with Brooks, origins of key jokes, their creative differences and chemistry.
- [03:09] Collaboration and “Puttin’ on the Ritz”
- [05:05] Humor as a plot device (convincing Transylvanian scientists)
- [07:20] Childhood fears prompting the film’s premise
- [10:33] Invention of “Walk this way”
- [12:22] “What knockers” scene and improvisational spirit
- [13:15] Jewish humor, roots, and differences from Brooks
Teri Garr Interview with Terry Gross (2005)
- Audition hardships, relationship with Brooks and cast, family showbiz history.
- [18:35] Getting cast: auditioning, learning a German accent overnight
- [19:57] Comic timing—her origins and love for Brooks’ humor
- [20:35] “Shiksa goddess” nickname, Jewish humor, and on-set camaraderie
- [21:10] Her mother’s career, secrecy on set, Mel's warmth
Peter Boyle Interview with Terry Gross (1988)
- Personal take on the monster, influence of Boris Karloff, physical comedy.
- [24:32] Getting cast—prior relationship with Wilder & Feldman
- [25:09] Channelling Karloff from childhood memories
- [26:03] Intentionally rudimentary makeup to preserve 1930s film style
- [26:50] Tap-dancing as the monster—learning comedy through discomfort
Cloris Leachman Interview with Terry Gross (2009)
- Creating Frau Blucher—accent, character, and gags.
- [28:29] Finding the character through costume and coaching
- [32:42] Running gag: horses whinnying at her name (joke: ‘Blucher’ means glue)
- [33:06] Learning from Brooks: taking direction, trusting improvisation
Mel Brooks Interview with David Bianculli (2013)
- Parody with respect, love of genres, directing actors, and collaboration anecdotes
- [35:42] Lampooning genres as acts of genuine admiration
- [39:00] Hitchcock’s mentorship on High Anxiety, mutual respect
- [40:11] Encouraging female comedic talent—Kahn, Leachman, Garr
- [41:05] Reluctance, then acceptance of “Puttin' on the Ritz”
- [43:14] Directing Peter Boyle—“Sing it from your heart. Sing it like it's a cry of love and freedom.”
Highlighted Segment Timestamps
- 03:34—Wilder describes arguing for “Puttin' on the Ritz”
- 07:35—Wilder on childhood fear of Frankenstein, how that shaped the film
- 10:33—Legend of “Walk this way,” vaudeville roots
- 12:22—“What knockers” scene creation, Brooks’ improvisational genius
- 14:23–15:26—Wilder reflects on comic style differences with Brooks
- 18:35—Teri Garr on auditioning, and Mel Brooks' quirks
- 26:50—Peter Boyle tap-dancing in monster shoes
- 32:42–32:56—Cloris Leachman on the origin of the ‘horses whinny’ gag
- 35:42—Brooks on loving the genres he spoofs; why parody matters
- 41:05—Resolution of “Puttin’ on the Ritz” dispute and its legacy
Narrative Flow & Cultural Legacy
The episode showcases “Young Frankenstein” as the joyful product of both affectionate homage and comedic experimentation. Every participant recalls the film’s creation as a period of deep collaboration, improvisation, and mutual trust—punctuated by Brooks’ willingness to test comic ideas until the cast fought for them to stay.
The musical “Puttin’ on the Ritz” number stands as the film’s comedic zenith and a marker of Brooks and Wilder’s creative tension—ultimately, a lesson in following the funny wherever it leads.
The ‘Walk this way’ and ‘What knockers’ gags reveal how improvisation and classic stage humor were refreshed for cinema, with legendary actors learning new tricks, and Brooks continually championing and respecting women’s comedic capabilities.
As Mel Brooks puts it:
“I loved horror films and I had fun with them. But I also saluted the glory of ... Frankenstein and Dracula ... I cherish those movies because they really lifted my spirits and are indelibly engraved in my brain as important steps in my world education.” (35:42)
Takeaways
- Young Frankenstein endures because it’s irreverent but never mean; crafted with technical and emotional fidelity to the “real” Frankenstein, and imbued with layers of classic and contemporary humor.
- The film’s behind-the-scenes magic—creative debates, improv, and respect between eccentric talents—mirrors the onscreen playfulness that audiences continue to love.
- Its best moments, like the top-hat-and-tails monster dance, were hard-won by risk-taking and conviction in the idea that “funny” justifies its own existence.
For those discovering or revisiting the classic, this Fresh Air tribute offers rich context, laughter, and stories that illuminate what it took to bring this monster comedy to life.