Young Frankenstein (1975)

There is no doubt that Mel Brooks is the king of spoof, especially when you think of such greats as Blazing Saddles (1974), High Anxiety (1977), Robin Hood: Men in tights (1993) and, of course, Young Frankenstein. Gene Wilder (Frederick), Marty Feldman (Igor), Peter Boyle (The Monster), Teri Garr (Inga), Cloris Leachman (Frau) and Madeline Kahn (Elizabeth) star in this silly, at time's bewildering and uproarious comedy. Kenneth Mars provides good support as a police officer with a really weird accent.

Dr Frederick Frankenstein (it's pronounced 'Fronkensteen'),  is busy living down the heinous experiments of his grandfather Victor Frankenstein. Who specialized in bringing dead people back to life. One day Frederick discovers he has inherited the castle of his crazy grandfather. At first Fred thinks that Victors experiments were "doody", but after discovering a book written by Victor, he decides it just might work. And it does.

This movie was an extremly funny experience, in my humble opinion it is better than Blazing Saddles, which is considered Mel Brooks' greatest achievement. Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman keep the ball rolling throughout with Garr, Leachman, Boyle, Mars and Kahn following close behind. With such a large amount of memorable characters it would hard to say which was my favourite. But i think i may have to say Igor (Eyegor), played by Marty Feldman. he was irreverently funny throughout.

The films knowing parody of the universal horrors of the 30s (many of which starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi) is perfectly pulled off at every point. The 'Puttin on the Ritz' number is perfect, it's entire execution (coupled with the Black and White) further parodies the insane amounts of horrors and musicals that came out in the 30s. It was both smart and hilarious.

The lines. Oh wow the lines. I won't spoil them for you but i can guarantee that you will laugh at almost everything that Marty Feldman says or does. Teri Garr is also quite funny, along with Kahn's first scene at the train station with Wilder, which is perfectly timed by both actors. I can keep going and say how much else there is about this movie that makes it so good but that would be spoiling it for you. Just know that it is a really great movie and one of the funniest movies of all time. In my opinion.

"Oh where are you going?... Oh you men you're all alike! seven or eight quick ones and then you're out with the boys to boast and brag. You better keep your mouth shut!... Oh i think i love him" Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn), Young Frankenstein

Top 5 dumb blondes in film

The dumb blonde is a proud tradition in movies that need a cheap laugh, but it wasn't always like this, the greatest dumb blondes are also listed the funniest and best acted, unlike the Blonde and Blonder debacle starring Denise Richards and Pamela Anderson. I will admit i sort of enjoyed that movie because i needed a cheap and easy laugh. Anyway here they are!

5. Bille Dawn (Judy Holiday), Born Yesterday

Admit it: Born Yesterday is a pretty groovy title. Judy Holiday stars in her Oscar winning role as Billie Dawn, the Mistress of Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford) who must be taught proper etiquette. The task falls to Paul Verall (William Holden in a likeable performance that made me forget why i disliked his movies).

4. Linda Ash aka Judy cum (Mira Sorvino), Mighty Aphrodite
Woody Allen finds out that his adopted son is a genius so he seeks out his birth mother: a not-so-genius prostitute. Stars Woody Allen (who also wrote and directed), Helena Bonham Carter and Mira Sorvino (in her Oscar winning role). Sorvino stars as prostitute/porn star/wannabe actress who has an extremely... interesting personality. Interwoven into the film is a Greek chorus telling the story of Oedipus. hmmm.

3. Romy and Michele (Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino) Romy and Michele's high school reunion.

They had to be on here right? Kudrow and Sorvino certainly had the dumb blonde thing down (see: Friends, Marci X and Mighty Aphrodite) but this has got to be taking it to its limits. A funny and shallow script that suits most of the dumb blonde films in the past few decades is what makes this movie so cheesily enjoyable. Blonde and Blonder, while not a remake of this cult classic, is definitely inspired by it. Don't see it, this is better.


2. Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) Singin' In The Rain

"What do you think i am, dumb or something?" asks Lina Lamont the silent film goddess who is so self absorbed she can't see that she is, in fact, dumb. The beautiful woman with a voice (and attitude) like nails on a chalkboard is the most memorable thing (besides the songs of course) about this classic movie musical. It's ironic that that Jean Hagen (who, btw, had a great singing voice in real life) didn't sing a bar in this musical and yet she is one of the main highlights. Her scenes are the funniest in the movie, which certainly says something.

1.Sugar Kane Kowalchik  (Marilyn Monroe), Some Like it Hot.

I could have included quite a few of the hilarious Marilyn Monroe characters such as The Girl (the seven year itch), Lorelei Lee (Gentleman Prefer Blondes), Pola (How to marry a millionaire) and Vicky (Theres no business like show business) but i chose Sugar because Some Like it hot is one of my favourite movies and besides, it had Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Win!

Bonuses.......

• Kitty Packard, (Jean Harlow) Dinner at 8
• Toni Simmons, (Goldie Hawn), Cactus Flower
• Karen Smith, (Amanda Seyfried), Mean Girls
• Elle Woods, (Reese Witherspoon), Legally Blonde (OK, so she wasn't actually dumb but give this one to me!)
• Lili Von Shtupp (Madeline Kahn), Blazing Saddles
• Cher (Alicia silverstone), Clueless

I would have included the above so that i had a top 11 list but i really can't rank them, it was hard enough ranking these ones! you get the idea anyway right?

"See, as the mainspring goes back and forth the bishop keeps f---ing her in the ass. It's a genuine antique and it keeps perfect time" Linda Ash (Mira Sorvino), Mighty Aphrodite

Clue (1985)

Clue is a 1985 comedy/mystery/crime based on the classic board game Cluedo. As someone who is a fan of a couple of the actors in it i sincerely hoped it was good, and it was! I never really warmed to playing Cluedo when i was younger (my older siblings had lost most of the pieces) but this movie has certainly gotten me interested in playing the game.

it stars Tim Curry as Wadsworth, Eileen Brennan as Mrs Peacock, Madeline Kahn as Mrs White, Christopher Lloyd as Prof Plum, Michael Mckean as Mr Green, Martin Mull as Col Mustard, Lesley Ann Warren as Miss Scarlet and Colleen Camp as Yvette.

Basically its about one night where 6 people have been invited to dinner at a mysterious mansion where they are greeted by Wadsworth and Yvette. They all have been given a codename and are asked not to reveal any personal information. This is more than a little weird. A mysterious Mr Boddy is also part of the scheme, but he gets killed early on and then there is chaos.

i was pleasantly surprised that i was interested in the plot and who did it as much as i was in how funny it was. A welcome bonus that a comedy could not only make you laugh but make your mind tick as try to figure out 'who dunnit'. The deadpan delivery of lines coupled with the bizarre situation and the slapstick was the most entertaining part of the film. Tim Curry is, as always, a delight to watch, Christopher Llyod is just cool in everything and Madeline Kahn plays a good Mrs White. Colleen Camp as Yvette was a surprise though, i'd never heard of the actress but since i liked the character so much ('flames on the side of my face' see the film and you'll get the reference) i feel inclined to see what else she has been in.

A downside of the movie was that it had a slow start, but other than that i found it solid. I recommend it to any lover of dark comedy, the actors, mystery with some fun thrown in or who loves movies that portrays the 50s in a satirical light. All in all i have to say that i enjoyed the endings (yes, plural) the most, Wadsworth reenacting the crimes was a delight, especially when he slaps Mrs Peacock in the face.

"they all did it, but if you want to know who shot Mr Boddy, i did. In The hall, with the revolver. OK, chief take em away! I'm gonna go home and sleep with my wife" Mr Green (Michael Mckean), Clue

What's up doc?

This post isn't a bout the famous Bugs Bunny line, no it's about the 1972 film starring Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal and Madeline Kahn. The strangeness, the hilarity and the absurdity of the script would be nothing without the these 3 wonderful actors and their supporting cast, including Kenneth Mars (Franz Leibkind in the original Producers).

The basic plot is there are 4 overnight bags that are all identical, one has a top secret government files, another is full of rocks, the next one is full of jewels and the last one has underwear and other stuff in it. The basically, well, theres a bit of a mix up. In the middle of it all we have O'Neal as Howard 'Steve' Bannister, a musicologist who needs his rocks for a theory he has, who seems to have attracted the attention of Streisand's character Judy, who insists on calling him Steve and follows him around. We also have Howard's fiancée' Eunice (Kahn) who is so... weird. But all are hilarious.

This was the film debut of Madeline Kahn (who is perhaps best remembered for her frequent roles in Mel Brooks classics such as Blazing saddles and Young Frankenstein), since i like Kahn's movies i was very delighted to see that she started out in films as, well, tremendous. Barbra Streisand didn't want to do the movie, (she didn't think it was funny), though i respect Streisand, i think she was out of her mind for thinking the script wasn't funny. O'Neal was funny and while best known for his serious role in Love Story and maybe for more recently playing Brennan's father in Bones is a pleasure to watch. Plus there no denying that he was good looking when he was young.

I love slapstick comedy, screwball comedy and classic comedy, so naturally i loved this! It's hard not to draw parallels between a certain other screwball comedy by the name of Bringing up baby, i love both and could never decide which one is better, although BuB may have a leg up since without it there would be no What's Up Doc? in the first place.

It's fast, witty, outrageous, absurd and highly entertaining, i recommend it, but be warned: you need to watch it at least twice so you get the full experience.

"I am not 'A' Eunice Burns, i am THE Eunice Burns!" Eunice Burns (Madeline Kahn) Whats Up Doc?