Young Frankenstein (1974)

Directed by: Mel Brooks

Cast: Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Terri Garr, Peter Boyle, Cloris Leachman, Kenneth Mars, Richard Haydn, Liam Dunn

 IMDb page about Young Frankenstein

Studio(s): Fox Studios

Principal photography began on February 19th, 1974.

The cavernous sets for the Frankenstein Castle were designed by Dale Hennessy and built at 20th Century Fox studios.

Cinematographer Gerald Hirschfeld worked with director Mel Brooks on atmospheric lighting (heavy contrast, with strong backlight and crosslight, to create the classic 1930s Expressionist look). Modern tools such as zoom lenses and dolly tracks weren't available in the 1930s, so were banned from this production. Camera moves were intentionally less smooth than 1970s technology could produce, to create the impression the film was a product of the 1930s.

The glorious electrical machinery built for the 1931 James Whale production of 'Frankenstein' were taken out of storage and re-vitalised, thanks to their original creator, Kenneth Strickfaden.