"Young Frankenstein" premieres 1974

Mel Brooks' comedic masterpiece, Young Frankenstein, opened in theatres December 15,  1974.  It starred Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, and Terri Garr.  It was  nominated for two Academy Awards.  Cloris Leachman was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a  Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical.  Madeline Kahn was nominated a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, although she had more screen time than Cloris Leachman.

My favorite movies - 1974

1974 is another year that I cannot pick one favorite out of so many good ones, so I chose my top 4 plus an "honorable mention".  In just these five films, I think everybody in Hollywood made it onto the screen.  Each one has a stellar cast, whether comedy, drama or action.  How many actors and actresses can we name that did NOT appear in one of these!

Blazing Saddles starring Mel Brooks, Cleavon Little, Madeline Kahn, Gene Wilder and everybody else.



Young Frankenstein starring Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman and everybody else.




The Towering Inferno starring Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Faye Dunaway and everybody else.



Earthquake starring Charlton Heston, George Kennedy, Ava Gardner and everybody else.



Murder on the Orient Express (honorable mention) starring Michael York, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall and everybody else.

Remembering Gene Wilder 1933-2016

Gene Wilder, the comic genius who gave us many, many laughs, has passed away at age 83.  He appeared in Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and The Haunted Honeymoon.  He has twice been nominated for Academy Awards:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Producers, 1969
Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted from Other Material. 1975

He won an Emmy for his guest appearance on Will and Grace.  Although he hasn't been seen on screen since 2003, he will be missed.