Legendary comic director Mel Brooks arguably hit peak with this 1974 tale, a ruthless, hilarious spoof of old horror cinema.

'It's Fronk-en-steen,' Wilder's doctor with the infamous last name keeps parroting. But his tongue-in-cheek destiny is inescapable, as he melodramatically braves bad weather and asinine assistants to build the great monster.

From incredulity to unbearable narcissism, the script lets Wilder tap dance his genius throughout the film, creating an insane and truly unforgettable character. And the film's most underplayed.