Brooke Shields character of Madame V is ripoff of Cloris Leachman's Frau Blucher in the classic, Young Frankenstein. Down to when someone says her name... here is piece of Young Frankenstein to show you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQiXPHhZ4Go
i'd say more of an hommage - which makes it even funnier!
"Remember me, Mr. Schneider? Kenya, 1947."
shields' accent was also much, much better than leachman's. i think she did a wonderful job and i'll bet she had a lot of fun making this movie.
shareAbsolutely it was a ripoff! But in a good way! Anyone that has ever watched "Young Frankenstein" would instantly recognise the character of Frau Blucher that Shields was imitating.
The difference was that when anyone mentioned "Blucher", one would hear horses whinny in fright in the background. In this movie, a wherewolf would howl.
Frau Blucher had a light German accent, where as Madame V. sported a heavy eastern european accent.
You also saw bits of other characters blended in from characters like the music teacher, from "Itsy Bitsy Spider", and Agatha Trunchbull from "Matilda".
I think Shields intentionally camped up her portrayal of Madame V. based on popular stereotypes of rigid, emotionless, big-boned eastern european women
seen on U.S. media from time to time. I think she did a great job. Worlds away from "Pretty Baby" and "Suddenly Susan"
I could tell the actress was attractive under all that makeup, but I didn't realize she was Brooke Shields till I looked this up. I've always kinda liked her; I think she had a strange childhood and she's turned out remarkably well, given that her mother apparently had some severe problems.
Plus, she didn't look like a stick figure, growing up.
I never cared for Brooke S. but I thought she was the funniest thing about the movie and yes the frau Blucher tribute (that's what I call it) was recognized. I was thinking she should had a cameo part in the movie without the severe get up, make up, etc.
shareBrooke Shields was quite funny here! Didn't realize it was her.
Also the mysterious old man in the trench coat was very reminiscent of Peter Cushing as Van Helsing in the old Hammer horror films.
I agree that it had to be an homage not a ripoff. It was just too obvious (right down to the wolves howling every time they said her name).
shareIt was great to see Brooke Shields acting again and in a role that did not take herself so serious. And yes the homage to young Frankenstein was obvious and hilarious...you know us parents get stuck watching this flicks along with the kids so it was nice to have an inside joke or two that the kids would not get.
shareYou really don't get the concept of horror icon homages, do you?
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