So, after Gene Wilder's character said that his name was pronounced "Fronkonsteen" (the (English) subtitles wrote it like that), I got a bit bewildered.
Is this actually how Frankenstein is pronounced, or is it just a joke? I haven't actually seen any other Frankenstein movies, with the exception of the Frankenstein short film from 1910.
It's surprising that you have only seen the Frankenstein movie from 1910 (I've not see this), before any other version.
Anyway, as regards to your question, I think the pronounciation may be a joke on 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'. Traditionally the original London play (and 1931 Fredric March movie) they pronounced it Dr. Jee-kall, but everyone else and every movie since pronounce it Jeck-all.
Perhaps I'm looking into this too much though...
I just figured he was so ashamed at the legacy of the name he changed the pronunciation so that the scientific community wouldn't associate him with his whacky Grandfather. Either that or he was merely pretentious.
I've had a lot of sobering thoughts in my time Del Boy, it's them that started me drinking!
I would say your first statement is correct. I've never heard anyone else think anything else.
He even says it himself:
"I'd rather be remembered for my own small contributions to science rather than my accidental relationship to a famous ... kook."
I may not have the exact words correct since its been awhile since I watched the film; but that was the gist of it.
The proper way would be Frankenstein. He wants to be called Fronkensteen because he doesn't want to be associated with his ancestors (hence his sudden change of names during the "Monster loves me" scene)
If you'd want to pronounce it as German as possible you'd have to pronounce it Frunkenstein. Our German "A" is pronounced like you'd say the "a" in "hahaha".
The bigger question is why Igor pronounced the master's first name as "Froderick" since there is no 'O' in the name at all. Maybe "Freederick" but it's too late now.
"Well, they were wrong then, weren't they?" - Eye-gor
It's part of the joke. Igor is contemptuous of the change.
Look at it like this: "So you pronounce Frankenstein as Fronkensteen. Then do you pronounce Frederick as Froderick? What is wrong with you."
Nothing more and nothing less. And to another poster, I doubt it has anything to do with being Jewish. He's simply changing the pronunciation so he won't be associated with his infamous ancestors.
My favorite part was the last bit of the name exchange:
Victor: You must be Igor.
Igor: No, it's pronounced "eye-gor."
Victor: But they told me it was "Igor."
Igor: Well, they were wrong then, weren't they?
I wondered if "Fronkonsteen" was meant to be a Jewish or Yiddish pronunciation of it, whereas "Frankenstein" is more German. There is a lot of Jewish humour in this film, not surprising with Mel Brooks, Marty Feldman, Gene Wilder and Madeleine Kahn involved.
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He did it to distance himself from his family's history........and also to set up the eye-gor joke. Yes, he could have changed his last name to Jones, but that wouldn't have been nearly as funny.
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