#Middlebury #Movies
Mr. Melvin Kaminsky, the Brooklyn-born, 93-year-old comedy mastermind better known as Mel Brooks, really knows his satire. As a writer and director, he’s shepherded several movies to the top of the American Film Institute’s list of best comedies, holds a coveted EGOT status (meaning, he has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards) and boasts multiple films in the National Film Registry, a list of culturally significant films that are worthy of preservation by the Library of Congress. In the business of making a darn good movie that’s making fun of another movie, he has no equal.
“Blazing Saddles” – A 1974 masterpiece of black comedy, this film stars Cleavon Little as Bart, a Black sheriff installed as a patsy to offend townspeople seeking protection from a group of ne’er-do-wells sicced on them by an underhanded government official looking to get rich off their land. Gene Wilder backs up Bart as a boozy gunslinger named Jim, aka “The Waco Kid.” Hijinks ensue, as you’d expect.
“Young Frankenstein” – Also in 1974 – and done on a promise to Gene Wilder for his involvement in “Blazing Saddles” – Brooks parodies the Universal monster franchise with Wilder in the title role and Peter Boyle playing his monster.
“High Anxiety” – Brooks, as Dr. Richard Harpo Thorndyke, takes on the full lead, supported by Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Harvey Korman and more in this 1977 sendup of Hitchcockian suspense.
“History of the World” – Historical retelling gets its own Brooks treatment in 1981’s “History of the World: Part 1,” which skewers the Stone Age to the French Revolution. Brooks’ roles range from Moses (who brings God’s 15 … I mean 10 Commandments to the people), to Torquemada in a musical salute to the Spanish Inquisition.
Mel Brooks in “Spaceballs” (MGM photo)
“Spaceballs” – This 1987 “Star Wars” spoof has Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, hired to track down Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga), whose planet is in the crosshairs of Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis). Lone Starr and his sidekick Barf (John Candy) launch a renegade rescue effort in their Winnebago spaceship. Mel Brooks holds dual roles as President Skroob and Yogurt (can you guess who he’s parodying there?).
“Robin Hood: Men in Tights” – Cary Elwes is behind the bow as do-gooder Robin of Loxley, who returns from the Crusades to find that the local sheriff (of “Rottingham,” played by Roger Rees) has plunged his home into a hot mess. He takes to the forest with a band of merry men while pursuing justice and the lovely Amy Yasbeck as Maid Marian, with her Everlast chastity belt.
“Dracula: Dead and Loving It” – Leslie Nielson stars as a more modern Dracula, who purchases an abbey in Merry Olde England and sets about installing himself there with the help of an unwitting solicitor-turned-servant played by Peter MacNicol. Brooks plays Dracula’s foil and enemy, Professor Van Helsing.
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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