1974
Directed by Mel Brooks
I am going to be particularly nice to Mel Brooks in this review, since when Blazing Saddles comes around I will get nasty. This wasn't nearly as funny as The Producers but it wasn't a total cringe festival.
Basically, it's the story of Frankenstein again, but with more penis jokes. Now, I wasn't exactly clutching my sides, but I found the whole thing comical. I have seen so many painfully un-funny movies so maybe I have a higher tolerance.
The "Puttin' on the Ritz" number was included in a weird Muppet video that my siblings and I use to watch when we were very little. It was strange seeing it now. I don't know if Baby Amanda thought it was entertaining or not. Adult Amanda thought it was a bit obnoxious but still worth watching. Mel Brooks can do better and Mel Brooks can do a whole lot worse.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
The "walk this way" joke inspired Aerosmith's song "Walk This Way".
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ReplyDeleteMell Brooks time then ... Another strong agree on this .. he can be very good, and cringworthy bad right next to each other, or even at the same time. I sort of feel most of his films would make great 20 min short .. or all them together make a fairly decent 60 min sketch show.
ReplyDeleteIt's a long time since I saw this .. but if the 'walk this way' gag is what I remember it as .. That is lifted straight from a 60's BBC comedy show, 'Morecombe andWise'
I didn't know that about the BBC show! More fuel in my Mel Brooks hate fire.
ReplyDeleteDid you notice the difference in tone from The Producers and Blazing Saddles? This is actually Gene Wilder's script and to my mind that makes the movie so much better. I really enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't have me crying with laughter, but there were some pretty good gags in there and it was lovingly done
ReplyDeleteThe 'walk this way' bit is one of those old jokes that no one can really claim credit for being the first. Like most of them here, it's not so much about brand new material but more old classics being performed well. And there's nothing wrong with that.