With the emergence of the cult classic film genre, audiences in droves have been drawn to both highly recognized and underground motion pictures. Films that generate cult fan bases have often received the recognition they deserve by attracting the attention of local nonprofit theaters.
Located on 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., The Loft Cinema happens to be one of many nonprofit theaters that recognizes cult classics by screening a different one every Friday and Saturday.
This week’s cult classic is a horror comedy titled “Young Frankenstein” directed by Mel Brooks.
The film begins with Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder), who has spent most of his adult life attempting to distance himself from his grandfather Victor Frankenstein.
After receiving word he has inherited his family’s estate located in Transylvania, Frederick sets out to inspect the property. It doesn’t take long before the film begins to rely on comedy to help set the tone for the rest of the plot.
After arriving at his destination, Frederick meets the hunched-back servant, Igor (Marty Feldman) and a young personal assistant named Inga (Teri Garr) who finds herself drawn to Frederick. Upon arriving at the castle, Frederick meets a housekeeper, Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman), who informs him she knew his grandfather personally, which ultimately foreshadows the events to come.
The film relies mostly on comedic elements to help establish the tone, as well as the rhythm of its plot. In no way does the film shy away from amusing scenes or memorable dialogue. This becomes evident when Frederick wakes up from a nightmare after repeatedly telling himself what his destiny should be.
After discovering an underground laboratory and his grandfather’s private journals, Frederick takes it upon himself to continue his work in re-animating the dead with the help of Igor and Inga. The man who for so long wanted to rid himself of the legacy that engulfed his family, has now accepted his destiny.
Wanting to create a living being, Frederick uses a corpse and a deceased person’s brain. Eventually, the creature, played by Peter Boyle, comes to life thanks to electrical charges. Frederick, however, worries the corpse might become a threat to others and sets out to find him after escaping from the underground laboratory.
Despite the image Frederick bestows on the creature, the film does an amazing job presenting a living corpse who appears harmless rather than terrifying, which reiterates the idea that this film relies more on comedic tactics rather than fright or terror, which is typical of a movie intended to be parody.
After luring the creature through the power of music, Frederick manages to reason with him, which ultimately calms the monster down. What follows is a fast sequence of events that involves our four main characters, the townspeople who are attempting to hunt down the creature and Frederick’s fiancé Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn).
In the end, “Young Frankenstein” managed to remind us of the importance of reviving cult classics in order to keep them from becoming a distant memory. For those interested in attending the screening of this film, The Loft Cinema’s final showing is Saturday night at 10 p.m.
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