Arizona Home Does Justice to Young Frankenstein and Madeline Kahn

Every Wednesday, columnist Mimi Perez pays tribute to homes that color outside the lines — think: homes with a pirate ship theme, one that needs a claustrophobia trigger warning, or a house that Liberace would love.

One of the greatest movie comedies ever made was Young Frankenstein. From the genius of Mel Brooks, the cast consisted of Gene Wilder, Teri Garr, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Cloris Leachman, and the incomparable Madeline Kahn. She was the most brilliant comedian to ever grace the big screen. Whenever I come across Young Frankenstein I leave it on because even though I’ve seen it a million times I still howl. 

Now one of the more heated debates the Gusman and I ever had happened the other day when we were discussing Young Frankenstein and how Madeline Kahn took the film to another level. The Gusman, in his deluded state, said Peter Boyle, who played the monster, stole the show. There is no way I could let that stand. You wanna know why? Do ya? Because it’s time to smash the patriarchy, that’s why!

In the majority of monster movies, you hardly ever see female monsters. Yes, you have possessed dolls or women that get chased and tormented. The transformation from New York socialite to the Bride of Frankenstein, well, Khan held a masterclass in doing just that.

Sssssss…. Hot stuff! Brilliance I tell you. Brilliance. If you have not seen Young Frankenstein then for the love of everything good and holy, get your priorities in order. You are living an incomplete life. 

I tell you all of this because the house featured in this week’s column is full of monster memorabilia. Any other time I would think they were nuts but not this time. You wanna know why? Do ya? As you walk through the front door the coffee table has a bust of not only Frankenstein but of the Bride of Frankenstein. That is the first time that has happened since I’ve been writing about these kooky homes. Smash the patriarchy indeed!

You may have to zoom in, but there she is right next to ‘ol zipper neck himself.

Yeah, there is a whole lot going on in the front room but I do not care because front and center is a bust of the Bride of Frankenstein. Now let’s look at the rest of this wacked wax museum.

Not sure how you sleep with Dapper Dan staring at you, but hey, to each their own.

While creepy, this is pretty cool. Pay attention to the bookshelf in the photo of the foyer above. Now, look below. It’s a secret bookcase just like in Young Frankenstein.

Out on the balcony overlooking the pool, a gorilla in a sundress. I am legally bound to include that photo.

It would have been nice to see a full mannequin of the Bride of Frankenstein but perhaps it is on back order. So there we go boys and girls, let’s review what we’ve learned today.

First, smash the patriarchy, always. Second, watch Young Frankenstein. Third, appreciate the greatness that is Madeline Kahn. With that, I leave you with a little dance routine.

See more of this 5,600 square-foot home located in Sonoita, Arizona.