While plenty of people like to believe that a great idea is like a lightning strike, the reality is much more complex. A great idea is the result of plenty of hard work, a great deal of time, and a bit of help from your loved ones.

One such example was the 1974 film, Young Frankenstein, written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder.

During an interview with The Montreal Star, Wilder discussed the film’s origins, which began just after the actor had wrapped filming on a Woody Allen film.

“I had just finished Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, and I was wondering what I would be doing next,” Wilder said. “I was vacationing in the country, and I took a large yellow pad and wrote the word ‘Young Frankenstein’ at the top. For the next hour or two, I imagined what might happen to me if, in the 1970s, I were left the inheritance of my great-grandfather, the original Dr. Frankenstein.”

Then, Wilder put the script away until the universe provided a use for it. “Then six months later, my agent suggested a picture with me, Peter Boyle, and Marty Feldman, since he happened to represent all of us,” said the actor. “Later on, it occurred to me that they would be perfect for my story. My agent said to send it out (to Hollywood) right away.”

After he had finished the first draft of Young Frankenstein, Wilder recruited Mel Brooks, who also served as the film’s director. “While we were making Blazing Saddles, we worked on the second draft of Young Frankenstein,” said the actor.