A Top 5 for Mel’s Centennial

Happy 100th Birthday to the legendary Mel Brooks!

Four years ago, I had the chance to read his autobiography and it was fantastic. It is loaded with great stories from the early days of television, stories about his friendship with Carl Reiner, stories about his marriage to the beautiful Anne Bancroft and so much more.

Mel’s movies have made millions of people laugh. His parodies and spoofs have broke ground, and broke wind. While there are comedic masterpieces among his work, there were also a few stinkers. In honor of his centennial, here are my five favorite Mel Brooks films:

5. High Anxiety

A wonderful tribute to the great Alfred Hitchcock. It is loaded with many of Mel’s regulars (Madeline Khan, Harvey Korman, Ron Carey, Cloris Leachman, and Charlie Callas). It references ten of Hitchcock’s films and Hitch got to see it in a private screening. Mel held a private preview of the movie for Hitchcock to see his reaction. When Hitchcock walked out at movie’s end without saying a word, Brooks feared that Hitchcock hated the movie. But days later, Hitchcock sent a congratulatory case of wine to Brooks, knowing that Brooks was a wine connoisseur, and declared the film “Splendid! I wish I had done it.”

Nurse Diesel: Dinner is served promptly at eight in the private dining room. Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup.

4. History of the World Part 1

Mel re-writes history as he takes us through the Stone Age, the Old Testament, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Inquisition and the French Revolution. The various segments of the film are introduced by the wonderful narration of Orson Welles. It is loaded with many cameos from some comedy legends.

Moses: The Lord, the Lord Jehovah has given unto you these fifteen…[drops one of the tablets] Oy! Ten! Ten commandments for all to obey!

• Marcus Vindictus: Don’t you know your right flank from your left flank?
• Captain Marcus: I’m sorry sir, I flunked flank.
• Marcus Vindictus: You flunked flank? Get the flunk out of here!

Chief Monk: Torquemada – do not beg him for mercy. Torquemada – do not ask him for forgiveness. Let’s face it – you can’t Torquemada anything!

3. Young Frankenstien

A legendary black-and-white gothic horror spoof that many fans consider his comedic masterpiece. A superb parody of the classic monster movies. The studios fought Mel about shooting in black and white, but honestly, I can’t imagine it any other way. A true classic with a marvelous performance from Gene Wilder.

When Mel was preparing for this film, he discovered that Ken Strickfaden, who’d made the elaborate electrical machinery for the lab sequences in the original Frankenstien and its sequels, was still alive and living in the Los Angeles area. Brooks visited Strickfaden and found that he had stored all the equipment in his garage. Brooks made a deal to rent the equipment, and gave Strickfaden the screen credit he didn’t receive for the original films!

Frau Blücher: I am Frau Blücher. (Horses whinny)

2. Spaceballs

A spoof on just about every space movie out there. With John Candy and Rick Moranis, what more do you need?

Dark Helmet: What’s the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?

Dark Helmet: Well, why don’t we take a five minute break? Smoke if you got ’em.

1. Blazing Saddles

It has been described as “an acclaimed, satirical Western that pulls no punches in its hilarious dismantling of racism, politics, and genre clichés.” It includes some of the most absurd situations and a wild conclusion. The funniest western ever made!

Hedley Lamarr: Men, you are about to embark on a great crusade to stamp out runaway decency in the west. Now you men will only be risking your lives, whilst I will be risking an almost certain Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Taggert: Somebody’s gotta go back and get a shit-load of dimes!

What about you? What are your favorite Mel Brooks films?