Director Series Review: Mel Brooks
This week I decided to veer away from the normal routine of finding a trilogy (or trilogy +1) that I like and explore the works of one of my favorite directors, Mel Brooks. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Brooks has only directed 12 movies and that I’ve seen all of them. Well, I guess that makes me some sort of expert on the subject, right? While in all seriousness I don’t claim to know everything about this brilliant comedy writer/director (and actor, of course), I do know that he’s made several films during his time that have raised the bar on what it means to be funny on the big screen. Today, I’ve gathered my four favorite Mel Brooks films and present to you a brief analysis of why each one is a masterpiece in its own right. Enjoy.
Blazing Saddles (1974) -
Perhaps my most beloved of all Brooks’ films, Blazing Saddles is a spoof on the western genre that brings the most unheard of premise - a BLACK sheriff in an old west town. Of course, our hero doesn’t exactly inspire the loyalty of his subjects, being as how they’re all prejudiced assholes. But as the film goes on, he proves himself (with the help of a burnt out gunfighter) and sets his sights on foiling the bad guys. The bad guys, naturally, are all in the pocket of a corrupt lawmaker, so the sheriff must also bring him to justice. The end involves such brilliant gags as the townsfolk building a movie set city to fool the baddies and a chase scene that breaks off the set of the film, into other films and across a
In Blazing Saddles, Brooks demonstrates his mastery of farce. The movie takes assumptions and turns them on their head. His characters are ridiculous and amazing at the same time. The final scene is so well done that it has few rivals in any comedy film made at any time in any place (can you tell I’m a bit of a fanatic?). There’s not a single wasted scene or opportunity in this movie and it’s hard to not laugh for even a minute straight. With this, one of Brooks’ earliest films, he makes his name known as a comedic genius. Today, it still manages to hold down a solid 89/88% at Rotten Tomatoes, though it deserves more in my opinion.
Young Frankenstein (1974) -
Released in the same year as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein is less the laugh-riot and more the thinking man’s spoof on the horror genre. We meet a descendant of the original Doctor Frankenstein as he heads back home to take over his relative’s estate. Of course, he also discovers all the research that was done and decides to make a “monster” of his own. The end result (courtesy of an Abby-Normal brain), is a fiasco of humor.
Though it doesn’t lead viewers on quite the same roller-coaster ride that Blazing Saddles does, this movie holds its own as a brilliant look at horror. The cast of Gene Wilder (a regular in Brooks’ films), Marty Feldman and Madeline Kahn (another regular) is a perfect mix for what Brooks was trying to produce. This movie is, in my opinion, the best take on Frankenstein ever made, despite being a comedy. A very favorable rating of 94/90% at Rotten Tomatoes shows just how in love with this film people are.
History of the World: Part I (1981) -
If my memory serves me correctly, this was the first Mel Brooks film I ever had the privilege to watch. In this flick, Brooks compiles many smaller tales, each one revolving around a particular point in history. He brings us from the invention of music all the way into the French Revolution, taking a long stop during Biblical history. Each tale captures an overblown essence of the era it seeks to portray and History of the World: Part I carries a unique appeal to those of us that have studied history.
Again, Brooks stars in his own film, taking on more than one very prominent role. Harvey Corman shows up as well (yet again), as does Madeline Kahn and Gregory Hines. The brilliant casting is yet another of Brooks’ hallmarks of success and everyone puts on an outstanding comedic performance. One particular scene, a musical number revolving around the Spanish Inquisition, is particularly captivating (and will leaving you humming the music for the rest of your life). At the end, Brooks even teases a History of the World: Part II, but alas, it was only a tease. Honestly, my childhood dreams were shattered once I discovered that he wouldn’t be making a sequel.
Spaceballs (1987) -
Spaceballs, a more modern film from Brooks, is one that more people are going to be familiar with. A spoof of Star Wars mainly, Spaceballs takes a stab at a whole slew of sci-fi films that were popular during its time. It features the typical rogue with a heart of gold that must rescue a princess and defeat an evil empire that is determined to steal all the breathable air from an innocent planet. Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis and the genius John Candy all star in the flick and make it even better. Of course, Mel Brooks comes along and grabs up a few roles himself, but that’s pretty much a given.
Spaceballs is a bit divergent from Brooks’ previous films in that its PG rating made it accessible to kids. And, naturally, kids loved it. Those in the know about sci-fi flicks could pick out the gags, but the entertaining characters and a ludicrous story left it accessible to everyone. This movie is, unfortunately, the last one I felt that Brooks truly put his heart into (although he only made 3 more films after).
Photo Credits -
Mel Brooks courtesy of Towpilot via Wikicommons
Blazing Saddles poster courtesy of damnstraightpolitics.com
History of the World Part I courtesy of screeninvasion.com
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