Mel Brooks

Home - Mel Brooks
History of the World

‘History of the World: Part I’ (1981) is a rough lesson

“History of the World: Part I” (1981) tries to be a laugh-laden history lesson, but it turns out to be more of a lesson in

READ MORE
Dracula Dead and Loving It

‘Dracula: Dead and Loving It’ (1995) takes Brooks back to Transylvania

In his 2004 commentary track for 1974’s “Young Frankenstein,” Mel Brooks notes that it’s his best pure film – in the sense that it’s not

READ MORE
Robin Hood Men in Tights

‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights’ (1993) a tight parody – with an English accent

“Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993) was one of my regular rewatches as a kid, vastly more so than “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991),

READ MORE
Mel Brooks 99 Year Old Man

‘Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!’ celebrates a hilarious career

Mel Brooks has a great sense of comic pacing and rhythm in his best movies. He knows when to get in and get out. “Mel

READ MORE
Blazing Saddles

‘Blazing Saddles’ (1974) sends up Westerns before running out of gas

Director/co-writer Mel Brooks starts his run of original genre spoofs in fiery fashion with “Blazing Saddles,” the first of a one-two punch in 1974 with

READ MORE
High Anxiety

‘High Anxiety’ (1977) a Hitchcock celebration with some chuckles

Neither the height of parody nor the depths of a phoned-in throwaway, “High Anxiety” (1977) is likable comedy from a writer-director-star, Mel Brooks, who clearly

READ MORE
Young Frankenstein

‘Young Frankenstein’ (1974) among the best – and funniest – adaptations of the classic novel

I can imagine writer-star Gene Wilder and writer-director Mel Brooks watching “Frankenstein” (1931) and inserting jokes, a la the “Airplane!” (1980) writers when watching “Zero

READ MORE
Spaceballs

‘Spaceballs’ (1987) remains a pitch-perfect parody of ‘Star Wars’

“Spaceballs” (1987) is funny from start to finish, connecting on a high percentage of jokes and generally having an appealing sense of humor to carry

READ MORE