JD Crowe: Teri Garr: ‘Young Frankenstein’ tribute to beloved comic actress
This is an opinion tribute
Some celebrity deaths hurt more than others.
Teri Garr was the cute quirky girl next door. She was as delightful in bantering with David Letterman on late night TV as she was talented with delivering perfectly timed comedic lines and facial expressions in movies. Garr had an adorable innocence about her, even when playing sexy roles. Especially when playing sexy roles.
Related: Teri Garr, star of ‘Young Frankenstein,’ ‘Tootsie’ and ‘Friends’ guest star, dead at 79 – al.com
It’s Halloween, so let’s talk about Garr’s character in the greatest comedy horror movie of all time, “Young Frankenstein.” If you didn’t have a crush on Inga, Garr’s bubbly German lab assistant in Mel Brooks’ finest classic, you didn’t have a pulse.
The “Young Frankenstein” cast was phenomenal. Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, a cameo by Gene Hackman and three of the greatest comedic actresses of our time: Garr, Madeline Khan and Cloris Leachman.
Garr had many memorable moments as Inga, but the one that sticks in my mind is a one-word line. When discussing with Dr. Frankenstein (Wilder) the various parts of putting the monster together, she says, “He would have an enormous Schwanzstuck!” Her eyes widen for a beat. “Woof.”
In Teri Garr’s Life in Pictures, the New York Times says, “Garr’s eyes were perhaps one of her most recognizable features as an actress. They could show pain, sympathy, vulnerability and intrigue.”
We’re gonna miss those eyes, that smile, her absolutely delightful presence. Our hearts are breaking.
Rest in peace, Teri Garr.
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JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group and AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award for local and state cartoons by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler @[email protected].