Gene Wilder accidentally forced Mel Brooks to direct Young Frankenstein

As Gene Wilder recalls, according to the 92nd Street Y interview, he received a call from Mel Brooks the day after his phone conversation with Medavoy. "What are you getting me into?" Wilder recalls Brooks' request. "Nothing you don't want to get into," Wilder said. Whether through friendship, luck, or behind-the-scenes intervention, Brooks and Wilder collaborated on "Young Frankenstein." There were moments of friction, of course — Brooks and Wilder fought long and hard over whether to include the famous "Putting on the Ritz" scene. However, Wilder pleaded so passionately for it that Brooks decided to keep him. The scene is a highlight of the film and a mark of Wilder's authorship.

Of course, each cast member brought something special to "Young Frankenstein," as "Young Frankenstein: The Story of the Making of the Movie" attests. Martin Feldman's comedic timing and willingness to keep fellow actors waiting for the punchline transformed the film. Peter Boyle gave Frankenstein's monster a sense of dignity, even when a blind man poured boiling soup over his crotch. Madeline Khan decided that her character, Frankenstein's bride, Elizabeth, would sing "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" upon seeing the monster's enormous private parts for the first time. We must not forget that the seed of "Young Frankenstein" came from Wilder. But that seed was watered by every member of the cast and crew. Their efforts spawned one of the funniest comedies of all time.