David Bianculli

Young Frankenstein was shot in black and white, and Brooks was so faithful to the pace and look of Wales' original films, he even tracked down and used the original lab equipment from the Frankenstein movies.

He also assembled an astounding cast in support of Gene Wilder.

Two previous Oscar winners, Cloris Leachman and Gene Hackman, eagerly accepted minor roles.

And also in the cast were Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Terry Garr, and Marty Feldman.

In an early scene, Wilder, as the scientist's grandson, is met at the Transylvania train station by his future lab assistant, played by Feldman.

Dr. Frankenstein.

On today's show, we'll listen to archive interviews featuring Gene Wilder, Terry Garr, Cloris Leachman, Peter Boyle, and Mel Brooks himself.

We'll start with Gene Wilder, who spoke with Terry Gross in 2005.

He recalled how he and Mel began collaborating on Young Frankenstein.

Gene Wilder, speaking with Terry Gross in 2005.

He died in 2016.

After a break, another young Frankenstein star and standout, Terry Garr, as the doctor's very smitten and sexy lab assistant.

This is Fresh Air.

Next up in our Young Frankenstein appreciation is Terry Garr, who was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting actress work in Tootsie.

Earlier in her career, she had danced in nine Elvis Presley movies and made her acting screen debut opposite Gene Hackman in The Conversation.

In Young Frankenstein, she played Inga, the assistant and girlfriend to Gene Wilder's Mad Scientist.

In this scene from Young Frankenstein, the doctor's fiancée, Elizabeth, has been escorted to the castle by his assistant, Igor, where she meets the doctor's other lab assistant, the beautiful Inga.

Madeline Kahn plays Elizabeth, Marty Feldman plays Igor, and Terry Garr plays Inga.

Terry Gross spoke with Terry Garr in 2005.

Terry Garr speaking to Terry Gross in 2005.