The Silver Screen Oasis

I love to watch Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, and I try to get everyone I know who hasn't seen them to watch them.

Well, this was supposed to go under Guilty Pleasures. I guess this forum will take some time getting used to!

That's quite all right. Welcome to the forum.

I don't understand why you think Mel Brooks is a guilty pleasure though -- he's great. I love his movies.

The audience reaction shot to "Springtime for Hitler" is one of the funniest things ever. It never fails to crack me up.

Well, it is only because they are a little off color and at the end of the classic era. My true joys are the Thirties and Forties, with an occasional silent thrown in. I do like much of the fifties, but hardly anything in the Sixites, but Mel goes even further into the Seventies! HUH! My goodness, what a guilty pleasure!

And, your right about the Hitler number! Hilarious!

Garbomanic said:

My true joys are the Thirties and Forties, with an occasional silent thrown in.

Well, no wonder you enjoy Mel Brooks' movies then! Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, Blazing Saddles are all homages to classic Hollywood films. Mel Brooks even made the "occassional silent"!

Young Frankenstein is probably my #2 favorite pick for comedies (The Awful Truth is #1; Sleeper is/was in the top 5...). Teri Garr. Madeline Kahn and Cloris Leachman make up a brilliant feminine trio. "Ah sweet mystery of love, at last I've found you..."

P.S. Garbomaniac: You once knew me as JackBurley. Welcome to the Oasis.

Oh, Jack! What a wonderful surprise! And, what a dashing Avatar. Fellini?

Well, of course you hit the nail right on the head. If you haven't seen the Frankenstein trilogy: Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Son of Frankenstein, you won't get all the jokes!

And, Cloris, Madeline and Terri are all fantasitc!

Great to hear from you again!

Another Mel Brooks fan here! I love "Spaceballs" too and the "remake" of "To Be Or Not To Be" (with Brooks as producer/actor.)
He also brought us other great (non-comedic) movies (as executive producer)-"The Elephant Man" and "Frances."

Back in 1976 my girlfriend (at the time) and I, along with several friends went to see SILENT MOVIE at the Metro Theatre in San Francisco. At one point (I can't recall where) she began laughing so hard we had to escort her into the lobby. It took her about fifteen minutes to regain her composure. I've seen it several times since and it's still pretty hilarious! I also love the scene in HIGH ANXIETY when Mel sings the "love theme" to the film in the lounge at the Fairmont Hotel. One of the funniest men in the world AND married to Anne Bancroft!! Talk about a role model!

Dewey1960 wrote:Back in 1976 my girlfriend (at the time) and I, along with several friends went to see SILENT MOVIE at the Metro Theatre in San Francisco. At one point (I can't recall where) she began laughing so hard we had to escort her into the lobby. It took her about fifteen minutes to regain her composure. I've seen it several times since and it's still pretty hilarious!

I saw at some theater with my girlfriend at the time, who was unfortunately Leaving Town Forever (tm) the next day. My 16 year old heart was breaking, as I was deeply in love, or at the very least completely infatuated with her impressive mammaries. But for 90 minutes I managed to forget my pain, and laughed like mad.

I've had a soft spot for Brooks since then. Silent movies too, for that matter.

I love Mel Brooks, too.

I am going out on a limb here, but does anyone remember The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother?

Madleline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Leo McKern? I laughed so hard that I had to leave the theater twice. But I had been through a recent heart-breaking romance, and I recall that the movie helped me to not view it so seriously. And, no, I don't think it was the cherry vodka. I mean really.
No, seriously....I mean really seriously, I don't think it was the cherry vocka, fellers...hic..

Yes, I remember! It was funny! Everything he does is great!

And, drink a glass of water upside down!

BUHBUHBUPSIDE Down?....hic...hic...hic...gone!

Time for fruit cup....

My kids love Mel Brooks and enjoyed "Silent Movie." The only problem with it is parts of it are so time stamped. Once I explained to them what "Pong" was and who "Marcel Marceau" is it moved along nicely.

That also may be part of the problem with "High Anxiety." Is it enjoyable on a grand basis of you are not a Hitchcock fan? I always found it funny but then I knew what he was spoofing.