<![CDATA[I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were]]>Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Young Frankenstein

eahoover — 10 years ago(March 22, 2016 10:30 AM)

I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were highly incompetent in being able to keep the Frankensteins from terrorizing the village. Any thoughts?
(Reference: "These are very serious charges and all the more painful to us, your elders, because we still have nightmares from five times before.")

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it is an inside joke, and funny if you know that Frankenstein's monster went on rampages several times before in earlier Universal films.
As has been explained by others.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570196https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570196Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:33 GMT]]>preachcaleb — 4 years ago(October 19, 2021 02:50 PM)

Bingo. It's referencing the Universal Frankenstein movies.
So many stories, so little time.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570195https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570195Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:33 GMT]]>mrx2117 — 9 years ago(August 23, 2016 10:45 AM)

This one is easy there are 5 Frankenstein films in the original series (Original, Bride, Son, Ghost & House) + a number of other crossovers with Dracula, Wolfman, Abbot & Costello etc. So it's an in joke referencing that this is meant to be a direct sequel to the original Universal series.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570194https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570194Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:32 GMT]]>Missa34 — 9 years ago(May 17, 2016 11:18 AM)

I think it's a reference to time or a time period. That their elders/ancestors had been terrorized by a Frankenstein's creature once before and that they better be prepared now. I think "five times before" is just another way of saying 50 years ago.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570193https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570193Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:31 GMT]]>IMDb User

This message has been deleted.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570192https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570192Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:30 GMT]]>drunkbear — 9 years ago(May 03, 2016 04:38 AM)

I'm at a loss, then; maybe there's a Mel Brooks interview on the net somewhere in which he explains that bit.

  • HOW kin I be so brainless, when I is so smart?
]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570191https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570191Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:29 GMT]]>mikeyg24 — 9 years ago(May 02, 2016 12:34 PM)

He definitely says 'five times before' I always found it curious myself. Even if Fredericks Grandfather wasn't the first how old are these guys?
24/04/1916

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570190https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1570190Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I never understood if this was meant to be a joke, or if it was just to point out the fact that the village elders were on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:30:28 GMT]]>drunkbear — 10 years ago(March 23, 2016 06:50 AM)

I thought the line was 'from dark times before,' or something to that effect. Did it say 'five times' in the subtitles?
It could be a joke about the number of Frankenstein movies that had been made before. I can't see it referring to the Frankenstein family's history in this particular movie, though; it was Frederick's grandfather who made the first monster, and there was no mention of any other relatives carrying on in his vootshtops ('What?' 'Vootshtops! Vootshtops! Vootshtops!'[stomping] until Victor came along.
I'll have to go watch the movie again, and pay particular attention to that line. It may be hard work, but I'm sure I can sit through it, again.

  • You may have come on no bicycle, but that does not say that you know everything.
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