Young Frankenstein: 12 Behind the Scenes Stories From Mel Brooks' Comic Masterpiece

Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder Disagreed on the Mustache

Teri Garr Young Frankenstein — Gene Wilder and Teri Garr in *Young Frankenstein*. 20th Century Fox Credit: 20th Century Fox

Mel Brooks wrote in his memoir than Gene Wilder chose to wear a “Ronald Coleman-type mustache” that the director didn’t initially like. So they shot two versions of a scene, one with it and one without, and Brooks realized Wilder was right.

“Gene has never looked more handsome than when he was playing young Dr. Frankenstein,” Brooks wrote in All About Me!

Young Frankenstein: 12 Behind the Scenes Stories of How Mel Brooks’ Monster Hit Came Alive

Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder Disagreed on the Mustache