Young Frankenstein – Where a roll in the hay really is wholesome family fun

by Debbie McDuffee

Is it wrong that my family has watched 'Young Frankenstein' so many times that its quotes have become part of our family history? Mel Brooks wouldn't think so.

It’s odd what childhood memories stick with you. I clearly came of age with Freddy Krueger (No, not like that! Get your mind out of the gutter!) and I learned everything I needed to know about life from Ferris Bueller. But before that, it was all about wholesome family fun, and in my house that was Young Frankenstein. Between the off-color humor and the sexual references, you’re wondering about my parents right about now (I’ve been doing that for a long time), and you’ll wonder even more when I tell you that I am the oldest of four siblings, the youngest being 12 years younger than I … and we all watched Young Frankenstein together.

But somehow it united us, made us stronger. An already close family, it was charming enough that we’d all sit around the kitchen table, eating Hershey’s Kisses and peanuts while playing board games. Often. Yeah, we’re that adorable. In the midst of those games, though, all my father had to do was exclaim, “Frau Blucher!” and we’d all neigh at him … now that’s some family closeness. Who needed bonding when we had the Frau?

My undying love for all things Gene Wilder correlates directly to his portrayal of Dr. Frahnkensteen (you know what I’m trying for there). I’m sure that Madeline Kahn’s greatest line ever was, “Taffeta darling.” And from time to time, even I think about Terri Garr’s knockers … and of course her “roll in ze hay (wholesome family fun, remember …).” And there’s not a person out there who doesn’t fall off the couch laughing when Marty Feldman’s face is on the shelf with the other jarred body parts in the lab.

I know I’m not alone out there. I love that when I searched for an image for this post, typing in “Young Frankenstein” gave me three pages of movie screen shots, even though the musical is more timely. Who needs timely when you’ve mastered timeless? My family has collectively watched Young Frankenstein hundreds of times.

All I know is that when you’re still saying things like “Put ze kendle bick!” about 30 years later, a movie maker is clearly onto something. There is not a more quotable movie in my life (OK, The Princess Bride, but that’s another post …) … some would say it’s destiny. There’s no escaping destiny, you know.