The Mel Brooks Collection [9 Discs] [Blu-ray]
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Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen Rating:
G-
Language:
Eng Studio:
20th Century FoxUPC:
024543627944Year of Release:
2009Item Number:
FXD062794Release Date:
10/11/2011Genre:
Absurd Comedy –
Comedy –
Comedy Western –
Comedy Western –
Crime Comedy –
Cult Classics –
Farce –
Horror Comedy –
Odd Couple Film –
Parody/Spoof –
Satire –
Sci-Fi Comedy –
Sci-Fi Comedy –
Science Fiction –
Showbiz Comedy –
Slapstick –
Western
Format:
Blu-ray
MOVIE DESCRIPTION:
Disc 1: Blazing Saddles Blu-ray Disc 2: Spaceballs Blu-ray Disc 3: Young Frankenstein Blu-ray Disc 4: High Anxiety Blu-ray Disc 5: History Of The World Part 1 Blu-ray Disc 6: Robin Hood Men In Tights Blu-ray Disc 7: Silent Movie Blu-ray Disc 8: To Be Or Not To Be Blu-ray Disc 9: Twelve Chairs Blu-ray
DVD FEATURES:
- Number of Discs: 9
- Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
- Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
- Screen: Color
- Features:
- 7 Featurettes Plus 6-All-New Featurettes Exclusive to Blu-ray
- 4 All-New Trivia Tracks
- 5 Isolated Score Tracks
- Plus Commentaries, Interviews, Documentaries, Still Galleries
AWARDS
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
- Nominated Best Supporting Actor - 1983 (Charles Durning)
- Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay - 1974 (Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks)
- Nominated Best Editing - 1974 (John C. Howard, Danford B. Greene)
- Nominated Best Song - 1974 (Mel Brooks, John Morris)
- Nominated Best Sound - 1974 (Richard Portman, Gene S. Cantamessa)
- Nominated Best Supporting Actress - 1974 (Madeline Kahn)
Hollywood Foreign Press Association
- Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pictu - 1983 (Charles Durning)
- Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Com - 1983 (Amy Bancroft)
- Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comed - 1977 (Mel Brooks)
- Nominated Best Picture - Musical or Comedy - 1977
- Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comed - 1976 (Mel Brooks)
- Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pictu - 1976 (Marty Feldman)
- Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic - 1976 (Bernadette Peters)
- Nominated Best Picture - Musical or Comedy - 1976
- Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Com - 1974 (Cloris Leachman)
- Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic - 1974 (Madeline Kahn)
National Board of Review
- Nominated Best Picture - 1976
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Cast:
Mel Brooks - Richard H. Thorndyke
Mel Brooks - King Lou
Mel Brooks - President Skroob
Cary Elwes - Robin Hood
Mel Brooks - Jacques
Gene Wilder - Dr. Frederick Frankenstein
Mel Brooks - Torquemada
Ron Moody - Vorobyaninov
Mel Brooks - Frederick Bronski
Mel Brooks - Comicus
Mel Brooks - Moses
Mel Brooks - Yogurt
Cleavon Little - Bart
Mel Brooks - Mel Funn
John Candy - Barf the Mawg, Co-Pilot
Marty Feldman - Marty Eggs
Madeline Kahn - Victoria Brisbane
Peter Boyle - Monster
Dom DeLuise - Nero
Gene Wilder - Jim, the Waco Kid
Richard Lewis - Prince John
Frank Langella - Ostap Bender
Anne Bancroft - Anna Bronski
Madeline Kahn - Empress Nympho
Marty Feldman - Igor
Tim Matheson - Lt. Andre Sobinski
Roger Rees - Sheriff of Rottingham
Dom DeLuise - Father Fyodor
Charles Durning - Col. Erhardt
Slim Pickens - Taggart
Cloris Leachman - Nurse Charlotte Diesel
Mel Brooks - Tikon
Rick Moranis - Lord Dark Helmet
Dom DeLuise - Dom Bell
José Ferrer - Prof. Siletski
Harvey Korman - Hedley Lamarr
Teri Garr - Inga
Bill Pullman - Lone Starr, Space Bum
Bernadette Peters - Vilma Kaplan
Amy Yasbeck - Maid Marian
Andréas Voutsinas - Nikolai Sestrin
Harvey Korman - Count de Monet
Harvey Korman - Dr. Charles Montague
Madeline Kahn - Elizabeth
David Huddleston - Olson Johnson
Cloris Leachman - Frau Bluecher
Tracey Ullman - Latrine
Cloris Leachman - Madame de Farge
Vlada Petric - Savitsky
Daphne Zuniga - Princess Vespa
Dave Chappelle - Ahchoo
Sid Caesar - Studio Chief
Ron Carey - Brophy
Ron Carey - Swiftus
Howard Morris - Prof. Lilloman
Mel Brooks - Rabbi Tuckman
John Hurt - Himself
Harold Gould - Engulf
Mel Brooks - Indian Chief
Mark Blankfield - Blinkin
Gene Hackman - Blind Hermit
Mel Brooks - Governor Lepetomane
Christopher Lloyd - Capt. Schultz
David Lander - Engineer Bruns
Dick Van Patten - King Roland, Ruler of Druidia
Ron Carey - Devour
George Wyner - Col. Sandurz
George Gaynes - Ravitch
Alex Karras - Mongo
Diana Coupland - Mme. Bruns
Gregory Hines - Josephus
Dick Van Patten - Dr. Philip Wentworth
Carol Arthur - Pregnant Lady
Elaine Garreau - Claudia Ivanova
George Wyner - Ratkowski
Eric Allan Kramer - Little John
Michael Winslow - Radar Technician
Madeline Kahn - Lili Von Shtupp
Jack Riley - The Desk Clerk
Jack Riley - Dobish
Andréas Voutsinas - Bearnaise
Joan Rivers - Dot Matrix
Charlie Callas - Cocker Spaniel
Will Stampe - Watchman
Megan Cavanagh - Broomhilde
Shecky Green - Marcus Vindictus
Lewis J. Stadlen - Lupinski
Ron Clark - Zachary Cartwright
Lorene Yarnell - Dot Matrix, Droid Maid
Ronny Graham - Sondheim
Rudy de Luca - Killer
Sid Caesar - Chief Caveman
Dom DeLuise - Don Giovanni
Howard Morris - Court Spokesman
Barry Levinson - Bellboy
Dick Van Patten - Abbot
Sal Viscuso - Radio Operator
Matthew Porretta - Will Scarlet O'Hara
Patrick Campbell - Motel Bellhop
Rudy de Luca - Capt. Mucus
Ronny Graham - Minister
Jim J. Bullock - Prince Valium
Isaac Hayes - Asneeze
Orson Welles - Narrator
Charlie Callas - Blind Man
Leslie Bevis - Commanderette Zircon
Henny Youngman - Fly-In-Soup Man
Patrick Stewart - Richard I the Lionheart
Jim Jackman - Maj. Asshole
Denise Gallup - Charlene
Charlie Callas - Soothsayer
Eddie Ryder - British Officer
Paul Mazursky - Roman Officer
Al Hopson - Executive
Rudy de Luca - Executive
Art Metrano - Leonardo Da Vinci
Sandy Helberg - Dr. Schlotkin
Barry Levinson - Executive
Diane Day - Caladonia
Jack Riley - TV Newsman
Howard Hesseman - Executive
Tom Dreeson - Megamaid Guard
Henny Youngman - Chemist
Fritz Feld - Maitre d'
Rudy de Luca - Vinnie
Lee Delano - Executive
Jack Riley - Executive
Hugh Hefner - Entrepreneur
Deanna Booher - Bearded Lady
Dom DeLuise - Pizza the Hutt
Pat McCormick - Plumbing Salesman
John Hurt - Jesus Christ
Sivi Aberg - Beautiful Blonde
Erica Hagen - Beautiful Blonde
Jackie Mason - Jew
Robert Lussier - Projectionist
Phil Leeds - Chief Monk
Jack Carter - Rat Vendor
Jan Murray - Nothing Vendor
Spike Milligan - Monsieur Rimbaud
John Hillerman - Rich Man
Sidney Lassick - Applecore Vendor
Jonathan Cecil - Poppinjay
Andrew Sachs - Gerard
John Gavin - Marche
Corbin Allred - Young Lad
Albert J. Whitlock - Arthur Brisbane
Ivor Barry - Gen. Hobbs
Barry Levinson - Column Salesman
Stephen Tobolowsky - Captain of the Guard
Rudy de Luca - Party Guest
Henry Kaiser - Magnetic Beam Operator
John McKinney - Elite Guard Officer
Brian George - Dungeon Maitre d'
Murphy Dunne - Piano Player
James Haake and Scamp - Sasha and Mutki
Stan Mazin
Lou Cutell - Frightened Villager
Robert Ridgely - Hangman
Robert Bernal - Curator
Sammy Shore - Prehistoric Man
Felix Silla - The Dinks
Robert Noble - Villager
Robert Manuel - Policeman at Airport
Dom DeLuise - Buddy Bizarre
Ronny Graham - Oedipus
Branka Veselinovc - Natasha
Arnold Soboloff - Acupuncture Patient
Zale Kessler - Disciple
Rick Ducommun - Prison Guard
Patrick Brymer - Villager
Michael Fox
Hunter Von Leer - Policeman at Airport
Carol Arthur - Harriett Johnson
Henry Brandon - Nazi Officer
Don Lewis - Mime
Ken Olfson - Head Usher
Don Hesser - Merry Men Dancer
Sandy Helberg - Airport Attendant
Michael Champion - Prehistoric Man
Ron Kuhlman - Polish Flier
Mike Cottrell
Pamela Stephenson - Mademoiselle Rimbaud
Billy Sands - Customer
Marcel Marceau - Himself
Sandy Helberg - Disciple
Darrell Sandeen
Mary - Margaret Humes - Miriam
Norbert Schiller
Ron Clark - Stoned Soldier
Anne Bancroft - Herself
Arturo Gil - The Dinks
Ian Bruce - Klotskis Klown
Johnny Cocktails - Wedding Guest
Frank Campanella - Bartender
Bea Arthur - Clerk
George Furth - Van Johnson
Wayne Wilson - Trucker in Cap
Fiona Richmond - Queen
Henry Kaiser - New Groom
Eda Reiss Merin - Frightened Jewish Woman
Cleo Rocos
Richard Haydn - Herr Falkstein
Avery Schreiber - Tax Assessor
Arnold Soboloff - Dr. Colburn
Ron Diamond - Pub Bartender
John King
Mel Brooks
Nicholas Smith - First Actor
Spencer Henderson
Valerie Curtin - Intensive Care Nurse
Robin Haynes
John Dennis - Orderly
Robyn Hilton - Miss Stein
Geoffrey Larder - Footman
Oscar Beregi - Sadistic Jailer
Ronny Graham - Villager
Peter Banicevic - Sergeant
Alan U. Schwartz - Senator #2
Rhonda Shear - Woman in Diner
Chuck McCann - Villager
Estelle Reiner - Gruba
Lisa Welch - Vestal Virgin
Monte Landis - Gravedigger
Darrell Zwerling - Dr. Eckhardt
Aca Stojkovic - Capt. Scriabin
Tony Tanner - Villager
Suzanne Kent - Prehistoric Man
Terence Marsh - Startled British Officer
Jimmy Martinez - Waiter
Earl Boen - Dr. Boyarski
Ira Miller - Roman Citizen
Mitchell Bock - Video Operator
Nick Jameson - Inept Archer
Anthony Messina - Disciple
Bryan O'Byrne - Organist
Bryan Englund - Orderly #2
Zale Kessler - Bieler
Molly Basler
Liam Dunn - Mr. Hilltop
Heidi Sorenson - Vestal Virgin
Tommy Swerdlow - Troop Leader
Herman Poppe - Sheriff's Guard
Eddie Ryder - Doctor at Convention
Don Megowan - Gum-chewer
Michael Miller - Coming Attraction
Kenneth Mars - Inspector Kemp
James Van Patten - Villager
Ed Gale - Dink #1
Phil Adams - Airport Sentry
Royce D. Applegate - Coming Attraction
Liam Dunn - Reverend Johnson
George Caldwell - Gestapo Guard
Dennon Rawles
Brenda Strong - Nurse
Ira Miller - Villager
Burt Reynolds - Himself
Robert Prescott - Sand Cruiser Driver
Zitto Kazann - Head Saracen Guard
Dena Dietrich - Competence
Charles McGregor - Charlie
Curt Lowens - Airport Officer
Royce Mills
Jeana Tomasina - Vestal Virgin
Mathew Saks - Party Guest
Pearl Shear - Screaming Woman at Gate
Liza Minnelli - Herself
Sean Barry - Weske - Insolent Flunkey
Ira Miller - Psychiatrist with Children
Paul Wheeler - Kolya
James Caan - Himself
Howard Mann - Disciple
Blane Savage - Polish Flier
David DeLuise - Villager
Lee Delano - Norton
John Hillerman - Howard Johnson
John Francis - British Intelligence Aide
Mitchell Bock - Disciple
Leon Askin - Herr Waldman
Joe Baker - Angry Villager
Tim Russ - Trooper
Chase Masterson - Giggling Court Lady
Bernie Kuby - Dr. Wilson
Liam Dunn - Newspaper Vendor
Leigh French - Prehistoric Man
John Otrin - Polish Flier
Jim Steck - Gladiator
Lidia Kristen
Dey Young - Waitress
Harry Ritz - Man from Tailor Shop
Henry Kaiser - Disciple
Tony Cox - The Dinks
Spencer Henderson - Klotskis Klown
Carol Arthur - Complaining Villager
Richard Roth - Insp. Kemp's Aide
Mitchell Bock - Bar Patron
Scott Beach - Narrator
Richard Lewis
Gail Barle - Waitress
Jeff MacGregor - Snotty
Raymond Skipp - RAF Flight Sergeant
Tony Griffin
Bullets Durgom - Man in Phone Booth
Henry Kaiser - Gestapo Officer
Charles Thomas Murphy - Auctioneer
John Dennis
Lindsay Chag
Bridget Brice - Young Woman
Johnny Silver - Small Liar
Johnny Silver - Caddy
Peter Pitofsky - Inept Archer
Nigel Hawthorne - Official
Tucker Smith - Klotskis Klown
Hunter Von Leer - Lt. Bob
Arthur Malet - Village Elder
Patrick Valenzuela - Lead Camel Jockey
Yvonne Wilder - Studio Chief's Secretary
Earl Finn - Guard with Captain
Leeyan Granger - Lady
Joe Bellan - Male Attendant
Robert Ridgely - Flasher
Richard Collier - Dr. Sam Johnson
Max Brooks - Her Son
John Myhers - Senate Leader
Paul Newman - Himself
Michael Pniewski - Laser Gunner
Henry Kaiser - Villager
Al Hopson - Man Who is Shot
Lee Delano - Wagon Driver
Richard Karron
Danny Goldman - Medical Student
Lori Sutton
Clive Revill - Fire Marshall
Alan U. Schwartz - Psychiatrist
Chuck McCann - Studio Gate Guard
Rolfe Sedan
Robin Menken - Cocktail Waitress
Ira Miller - Short Order Cook
Clement Von Franckenstein - Royal Announcer
Tony Griffin - Prison Guard
William Glover - Maj. Cunningham
Malcom Danare - Inept Archer
J.J. Barry - Prehistoric Man
Burton Gilliam - Lyle
Paddi Edwards - Pub Waitress
Sid Gould - Barber
Richard Assad - Assistant Saracen Guard
Inga Neilsen - Beautiful Blonde
Jack Riley - Stoned Soldier
Laurie Main - Wedding Guest
Earl Finn - Disciple
Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr. - Gabby Johnson
Wolf Muser - Desk Sergeant
Eileen Saki - Slave
Richard Stahl - Dr. Baxter
Mavid Popovic - Makko
Robin Shepard - Party GuestDirector:
Mel Brooks, Alan JohnsonProducer:
Michael Hertzberg, Peter W. Wooley, Mel Brooks, Michael Gruskoff, Sidney Glazier, Irene WalzerScreen Story:
Andrew BergmanScreenwriter:
Andrew Bergman, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, Alan Uger, Thomas Meehan, Ronny GrahamScreen Story:
Mel Brooks, Gene WilderScreenwriter:
Gene Wilder, Ron Clark, Rudy de Luca, Barry Levinson, Evan ChandlerScreen Story:
J.D. Shapiro, Evan ChandlerBook Author:
Yevgeny Petrov, Ilya IlfCinematographer:
Joseph Biroc, Nick McLean, Gerald Hirschfeld, Paul Lohmann, Woody Omens, Paul Wilson, Michael D. O'SheaSongwriter:
Mel BrooksComposer (Music Score):
John MorrisSongwriter:
John Morris, Jon Bon Jovi, Clyde Lieberman, Lenny Macaluso, Jeff Pescetto, Richie Sambora, Gloria Sklerov, Dick BauerleMusical Direction/Supervision:
John MorrisComposer (Music Score):
Hummie MannMusical Direction/Supervision:
Jeff Wexler, Jonathan TunickEditor:
John C. Howard, Danford B. Greene, Andrew Horvitch, C. Timothy O'Meara, Conrad Buff, Nicholas C. Smith, Stephen E. Rivkin, Stanford C. Allen, Alan Heim, Alan BalsamProduction Designer:
Peter W. Wooley, Terence Marsh, Dale Hennesy, Stuart Craig, Harold Michelson, Norman Newberry, Robert Latham Brown, Roy Forge Smith, Stephen Myles Berger, Albert Brenner, Dennis WashingtonArt Director:
Harold Michelson, Dianne I. Wager, Stephen Myles Berger, Dennis WashingtonCo-producer:
Ezra SwerdlowAssociate Producer:
Alan Johnson, Stuart Cornfeld, Evan Chandler, Irene WalzerExecutive Producer:
Don Feld, Peter Schindler, Howard JeffreySet Designer:
Morrie Hoffman, John Franco, Jr., Peter Kelly, Richard McKenzie, Jacques Valin, Robert de Vestel, Anne McCulley, Rick Kent, Daniel Gluck, Daniel Maltese, Anthony Mondello, Gregory Pickrell, Robert W. Welch III, Robert C. Goldstein, David M. Haber, Gary A. Lee, Bruce Hill, Ronald R. Reiss, Rick Simpson, Craig Edgar, Joe HubbardCostume Designer:
Thomas S. Dawson, Vittorio Nino Novarese, Donfeld, Dorothy Jeakins, Pat Norris, Dodie Shepard, Ruth Myers, Albert WolskySound/Sound Designer:
Gene S. Cantamessa, Gary Rydstrom, Jeff Wexler, Don Coufal, Jim Stuebe, Randy Thom, Richard Portman, Steve Cantamessa, Steve Maslow, Peter SuttonMakeup:
Terry Miles, Ken Diaz, Ben Nye, Jr., Melanie Elaine Levitt, William J. Tuttle, Ed Butterworth, Bari Dreiband-BurmanSpecial Effects:
Peter Albiez, Percy Angress, Apogee Productions, Craig Boyajian, Industrial Light & Magic, Rick Lazzarini, Grant McCune, Richard Ratliff, Robert Shepherd, Henry Millar, Jr., Albert J. Whitlock, Ira Anderson, Jr.First Assistant Director:
Alan Uger, Dan Kolsrud, Marvin Miller, Jonathan Sanger, Jerry Ziesmer, Bato CengicCamera Operator:
Michael D. O'Shea, Steve Bridge, George Llerena, Jerry Pooler, Michael GenneStunts:
Richard Warlock, Jesse Wayne, Mike Washlake, Chuck Picerni, Jr.Choreography:
Alan Johnson, Robert Iscove, Charlene PainterCasting:
Lynn StalmasterProduction Manager:
Robert Latham BrownCasting:
David Rubin, Mike Fenton, Jane FeinbergProduction Manager:
Ernest B. WehmeyerCasting:
Marci LiroffMusical Performer:
Frankie LainePublicist:
Saul KahanMusic Producer:
Jellybean BenitezSpecial Effects Supervisor:
Peter DonenMatte Artist:
Syd DuttonFirst Assistant Editor:
Debra GoldfieldAssociate Editor:
Jay IgnaszewskiFoley Recordist:
Tom JohnsonDialogue Editor:
Ronald SinclairStunts Coordinator:
Richard WarlockMatte Painting Supervisor:
Albert J. WhitlockSecond Assistant Director:
Mitchell BockDialogue Editor:
George SimpsonSound Effects Editor:
Ronald JacobsADR Editor:
James A. BorgardtScript Supervisor:
Julie PitkanenProduction Assistant:
Charles SchlisselSound Effects Editor:
Ernie Fosselius, Sandina Bailo-LapeRe-Recording Mixer:
Richard BeggsSound Effects Editor:
Ken FischerTitle Design:
Anthony GoldschmidtStill Photographer:
Peter SorelRe-Recording Mixer:
Gary SummersHair Styles:
Dione TaylorFoley Artist:
Dennie ThorpeAssistant Sound Editor:
David SlusserMotion Control Camera:
Mat BeckFirst Assistant Editor:
Clarinda WongMotion Control Camera:
Dave HardbergerGaffer:
Tom SternFirst Assistant Camera:
Cosmas Paul Bolger Jr.Pilot:
Robert "Bobby Z" ZajoncChief Lighting Technician:
Robert JasonProduction Accountant:
Alison HarstedtCostumes Supervisor:
Bruce EricksenAssistant Sound Editor:
Robert BowmanAssistant Properties:
Bill KingLeadman:
William S. Maxwell IIIProperties Master:
Dennis ParrishAssistant Sound Editor:
David Bergad, Sue Brettrose, Scott ChandlerMusic Editor:
Eugene MarksDialogue Editor:
Glad PickeringAssistant Sound Editor:
Paige Sartorius, Pamela J. YuenVisual Effects:
Peter GruskoffMatte Artist:
Bill TaylorProduction Coordinator:
Michael Van HimbergenTransportation Captain:
Chet BrooksProduction Assistant:
James Caverly, Joanne Wetzel CaverlyTransportation Coordinator:
Jim ChesneyProduction Coordinator:
Mary CourtneyProduction Controller:
K. Lenna KunkelLocation Manager:
Michael J. MeehanStill Photographer:
Michael Douglas MiddletonCostumes Supervisor:
Charmaine N. SimmonsKey Grip:
William C. YoungMotion Control Camera:
John E. SullivanVisual Effects:
Don TrumbullFirst Assistant Camera:
Dennis Dorney, Richard GilliganMotion Control Camera:
Douglas SmithFirst Assistant Editor:
Joe YanuzziFirst Assistant Camera:
Michael A ChavezVideo Playback:
Lindsay P. HillFirst Assistant Camera:
Steve McLeamAssistant Chief Lighting Technic:
Victor PerezProduction Accountant:
Laurie StuebeCasting Director:
Bill ShepardPublicist:
Howard BrandyStunts Coordinator:
Max Kleven
REVIEWS:
- By the time Spaceballs rolled around, Mel Brooks' brand of zany slapstick and genre parody had long since begun to wear out its welcome. And by 1987, Star Wars was a positively ancient target for satire. It's no surprise, then, that this collection or hoary puns and cheesy sight gags smelled strongly of mothballs even during its initial run. Despite the assembled talent, from John Candy to John Hurt, writer/director Brooks seems more capable of eliciting groans than laughs with his endless sight gags and pointless running jokes. Joan Rivers is actually a hoot as the voice of robot prude Dot Matrix. But it doesn't say much for the rest of the picture that the best acting -- and funniest jokes -- come from a performer who's heard but never seen. With his royal drag and practically dreadlocked fright wig, Dick Van Patten is worth a laugh or two as the hapless King Roland. Brooks also works in a few decent set pieces and swipes at other sci-fi films. But the puns, from "Druish Princess" to "Pizza the Hut," belong in the warmup monologue of a talk show, not the script of a Hollywood feature. And the jokes are even worse when they fall outside the confines of Mad Magazine-style send-ups. The scene in which the characters watch the video of their own movie to find out what happens next is only one example of the labored hamminess on display. In fact, the only consistently funny element is John Morris's score, which takes deadly aim at the bombast of John Williams -- and scores a direct hit. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Few movies have offered up such satisfying parody and un-self-conscious wit as this Mel Brooks spoof, and all with the scatological flair that only Brooks can provide. When he's in top form, Brooks can make audiences feel as if they're simultaneously going to burst into tears, bust a gut, and pee in their pants with laughter. The great thing about Young Frankenstein, aside from this ability to make people lose all motor functions, is the reverence it pays to the films it parodies. Silly but always respectful, Brooks wants to honor the old Frankenstein films rather than skewer them, and as a result he serves up a film that is a cinematic achievement rather than a half-baked knock-off of better efforts. One of the funniest films of the 1970s, Young Frankenstein has lost none of its hilarity to the passing of time, serving as a reminder of how innovative parody can be. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, Rovi
- From poking fun at other movies to lampooning Jewish stereotypes himself, Mel Brooks has pulled out all of his old tricks in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. As usual, word play has a major role in this movie -- the Sheriff of Nottingham becomes the stuttering Sheriff of Rottingham (Roger Rees), and Friar Tuck becomes Rabbi Tuckman (Mel Brooks). No aspect of the Kevin Costner vehicle Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is left unspoofed in Men in Tights, and some jabs are particularly well-aimed -- Cary Elwes' Robin Hood makes sure to point out that he, unlike Costner's Robin Hood, has an English accent. True to form, Brooks made the mistake of relying too heavily on cultural stereotypes to bring laughs. The rapping Merry Men were at first entertaining, but their appeal quickly wears off and fails to disguise the choppy editing. However, while Brooks has the tendency to repeat his past mistakes, his expertise in making fun comes off equally strong in Men in Tights. Cult fans will be happy. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
- History of the World Part I is the kind of uneven comedy whose bad parts are so unworthy of its good parts that it creates a state of total schizophrenia. As those who shook their heads at the sputtering ending of Blazing Saddles will attest, Mel Brooks can be brilliant in stretches, but he often fills the gaps with eye-rolling idiocy, or simply ceases to try. Give him credit for making an ambitious parody with dozens of familiar faces hamming it up, but then take some away for the indifferent execution that falls away progressively as the movie moves forward. As usual with Brooks, the silly puns and other obvious jokes are sometimes quite winning; in a prime example, the director wrings genuine laughs from a scene in which a confused Jesus Christ keeps responding to the modern usage of his last name as an expletive. But he milks the winners for way too long. As the king in the French Revolution piece, Brooks winks at the audience and pronounces, "It's good to be the king" after engaging in one act of kingly lasciviousness after another. At first it's funny, but as the segment drags out interminably, it quickly becomes desperate, and groans soon follow. The film is worth a look for what it does right, including a priceless sequence in which the inimitable Madeline Kahn, as the Brooksian-named Empress Nympho, does a sing-songy selection between studs on the basis of their endowment. Still, it's definitely best that Brooks never tried a Part II. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi
- Mel Brooks at his ribald, tasteless best, Blazing Saddles stands out as one of the all-time great film spoofs. Sparing no one from his outrageous brand of humor, Brooks proved he was an egalitarian when it came to making fun of people, regardless of skin color or religious persuasion: where blacks may come off as stereotypical, whites are seen as just plain stupid and ignorant. Beyond its over-the-top humor and genre revision of the Western, Blazing Saddles boasts some great performances, with Madeline Kahn, Gene Wilder, and Slim Pickens doing some of the best work of their careers. It also features a number of scenes that have elevated the film into the realm of the comedy classic, perhaps most infamously the one involving beans, a campfire, and the most gratuitous display of flatulence ever to cloud a movie screen. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, Rovi
- Mel Brooks' brand of humor -- over-the-top, non-stop, often outrageous -- tends to be a matter of taste, although when he's in top form (e.g., The Producers, Young Frankenstein) he's appreciated by almost everyone. High Anxiety is definitely lesser Brooks and wildly uneven, but partisans will embrace it wholeheartedly. As a Hitchcock parody, it includes some excellent visual touches, such as skewed camera angles, use of "caged" shadow motifs, Madeline Kahn's icy blond wig, and especially the Psycho shower scene, here staged with Brooks the victim of a crazed bellhop with a newspaper. Unfortunately, the take-off on The Birds, which starts out well, degenerates into cheapness, though fans of the Farrelly Brothers will probably appreciate it. Brooks is fine in the lead role; as usual, there's both a "distance" and an excess to his performance that keep him from being as good as he should be. Kahn is delightful, though her role doesn't make wise use of her considerable talents. (Do watch for her reaction when she thinks she's getting an obscene phone call, however, as well as her airport scene.) Cloris Leachman gives a performance of tremendous skill and total commitment and creates another memorable character; unfortunately, much of what she and Harvey Korman are called upon to do, while daring in 1977, is a little embarrassing today. After High Anxiety, Brooks went into something of a commercial decline as his style of humor fell out of favor with audiences. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
- Silent Movie is not Mel Brooks's best film, but it may be his sweetest. There's a touching innocence about most of this film, as well as a sense of playfulness that's rather endearing. The trio of characters at the core of the film are essentially childlike in nature, and with no "dialogue" to speak of, there's little room for the raunchiness or crassness that is often found in other Brooks films. (One notable, and hysterical, exception, is the reaction of the Engulf & Devour Board of Directors to Bernadette Peters' Vilma Kaplan. Brooks uses the title cards to good effect, as when Marcel Marceau's ringing phone is accompanied by a "Sonnez" title card or when some clearly off-color remarks are translated in a bowdlerized version. And, of course, there are a plethora of sight gags, some of which work, some of which do not. (The ping-pong game on the life support screen being a good example of the former.) On the down side, too many of the gags are a bit predictable, and the episodic nature of the piece makes it drag somewhat. The very sweetness of the film also seems to water down the humor somewhat; there are not as many laughs as one would expect from a silent movie comedy, especially with this cast. Still, it's always enjoyable, and Brooks deserves credit for trying something as different as a silent movie in the first place. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
- The very amusing The Twelve Chairs is probably Mel Brooks' least demented comedy. Fans looking for the same off-the-wall sensibility that pervades Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein might be a little disappointed, although there certainly are moments that should please them (such as when Dom DeLuise opens his window after pulling into a Siberian train station to confront a mountain of snow or the chase sequence that leaves him stranded atop a mountain with no way down). But on the whole, Chairs is in a more standard-comedy mode, and those who approach it with this in mind should find plenty to keep them entertained. As director, Brooks is in as measured a mood as Brooks the writer, and that (relatively) relaxed feeling gives Chairs some surprisingly leisurely moments. Rather than letting the energy sag, this gives the viewer some time to concentrate more on the characters than the jokes. Unfortunately, this is one of Chairs' weaknesses; the characters are not poorly drawn, but they could use a tad more depth to really engage the viewer. Fortunately, Brooks has rounded up an appealing cast that more than makes up for this little deficiency. If Frank Langella lacks the comic energy that one associates with Brooks, he still has the commanding presence required by the part. Ron Moody is in fine form as the former owner of the title chairs, making the most of his predicament when told to sit by Langella and pulling off the difficult ending with great skill. And DeLuise, given the showiest part, takes full advantage of that fact. If Chairs does not reach lunatic heights, it still is disarming and enjoyable. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
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