Walk this way. No, seriously. If you’ve ever scrolled through images of Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein, you know exactly what I’m talking about. There is something about that face—the bugged-out eyes, the crooked grin, and that migrating hump—that basically defines 1970s comedy. It isn't just nostalgia. It’s a masterclass in how a performer can take a secondary character and turn them into the literal heartbeat of a film.
Marty Feldman wasn't even supposed to be the "star," but let’s be real: when you think of Mel Brooks’ 1974 masterpiece, you aren't thinking about the logistics of reanimating dead tissue. You’re thinking about Igor (pronounced "Eye-gor," obviously) and his "What hump?" line.
The Story Behind Those Famous Eyes
People often wonder if the look was a prosthetic or some kind of 1970s special effect. Honestly, it wasn't. Feldman’s unique appearance was the result of Graves' disease, a thyroid condition that caused his eyes to protrude. Combine that with a botched surgery and a childhood boxing injury that broke his nose, and you get a face that Mel Brooks once described as "hard-boiled eggs that somebody painted eyeballs on and didn't paint them on right."
Feldman leaned into it. He knew he didn't look like Robert Redford. He actually once said that if he’d tried to be a leading man, he’d just be another "lousy actor with two lines on Kojak." Instead, he became a visual icon.
💡 You might also like: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
When you look at images of Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein, you see a man who understood his "peripheral vision was acute," as Brooks put it. He could look at the camera and the doctor at the same time, creating this weirdly intimate, slightly chaotic connection with the audience. He wasn't just playing a part; he was winking at us without actually having to blink.
The Hump That Wouldn't Stay Put
One of the funniest things about Igor is his shifting hump. If you watch the movie closely—or just flip through production stills—you’ll notice the hump moves from his left shoulder to his right. This wasn't a continuity error. It was Marty Feldman being a total prankster.
He started moving the hump between takes just to see if the cast would notice. For days, nobody said a word. Eventually, Gene Wilder noticed and the "What hump?" ad-lib was born. It’s one of those rare moments where a behind-the-scenes joke becomes the most quoted line in the script.
📖 Related: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
Why Visual Gags Worked So Well
- High Contrast Cinematography: Gerald Hirschfeld, the cinematographer, shot the film in high-contrast black and white to mimic the 1931 original. This made Feldman’s features pop even more.
- The "Walk This Way" Bit: This gag was almost cut because Mel Brooks thought it was too corny. Thank God they kept it. It supposedly even inspired the Aerosmith song.
- Fourth Wall Breaks: Unlike the rest of the cast who stayed "in the world," Feldman’s Igor often looked directly into the lens, making the viewer his co-conspirator.
Behind the Scenes Chaos
Filming wasn't all just smooth "Roll, roll, roll in ze hay." There’s a famous story about the scene where Igor bites Madeline Kahn’s mink wrap. Feldman kept getting fur in his mouth, which sent the entire cast into such a laughing fit they had to do something like 15 takes. Mel Brooks actually ended up spending a fortune on handkerchiefs just so the crew could stuff them in their mouths to keep from ruining the audio with their laughter.
There is a certain energy in the images of Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein that you just don't see in modern CGI-heavy comedies. It’s raw. It’s physical. It’s a guy who was a brilliant writer for British radio and TV finally getting his "giggle" on the big screen.
How to Capture That Classic Igor Vibe
If you’re a fan, a filmmaker, or just someone who appreciates a good bit of movie history, there are a few ways to really "see" what made Feldman’s performance work.
👉 See also: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
- Watch the eye lines: Notice how he rarely looks directly at Gene Wilder. He’s always looking "obliquely," as he called it.
- Look for the "No Hump" scene: There’s a tiny moment at the symposium where Igor shows up in a tuxedo. Because it’s "tails," he doesn't wear the hump. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gag.
- Check out the original 1931 props: Most of the lab equipment in those images was the actual gear used in the original Boris Karloff film. It adds a layer of grit that makes Feldman’s goofiness stand out even more.
Feldman passed away far too young at 48, but his work in this film is permanent. He didn't just play a sidekick; he created a archetype. Every "henchman" since then has been trying to catch up to the guy who looked at the world sideways and made us all laugh because of it.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Study the Improv: If you’re into acting or comedy, look up the blooper reels. Feldman’s ability to stay in character while the world (and the fur) fell apart around him is legendary.
- Historical Context: Read Mel Brooks’ memoir All About Me! for the specific stories on how he directed Marty by literally having to stand in his line of sight to get him to "focus."
- Photography Tip: If you're trying to recreate the "look" of these classic images, focus on high-key lighting and deep shadows. The "Universal Horror" aesthetic is all about the contrast between the whites of the eyes and the darkness of the lab.
Marty Feldman’s Igor remains the gold standard for supporting characters because he wasn't afraid to be "grotesque." He turned a medical condition into a comedic superpower, and that's why we’re still talking about his eyes and his hump fifty years later.