*BLAZING SADDLES* (1974) | First Time Watching | Movie Reaction | Mel Brooks

I watch a classic in BLAZING SADDLES (1974) for the FIRST TIME! 🤣
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Movie Summary:
In this satirical take on Westerns, crafty railroad worker Bart (Cleavon Little) becomes the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge, a frontier town about to be destroyed in order to make way for a new railroad. Initially, the people of Rock Ridge harbor a racial bias toward their new leader. However, they warm to him after realizing that Bart and his perpetually drunk gunfighter friend (Gene Wilder) are the only defense against a wave of thugs sent to rid the town of its population.
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FAIR USE:
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.
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#BlazingSaddles #moviereaction #firsttimewatching

[@jimtatro6550]

This is not only one of the funniest movies ever, it is the perfect argument for why racism is so stupid in every way, shape and form. Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor were geniuses with the script.

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

The script was written by Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, and Alan Uger

[@TheCashcrue]

There's a lot, I'm just trying to bring him along slowly. Too much Mel Brooks in one sitting can mess with your grasp on reality.

[@michaelleslie6992]

Well tell me why they made it up? First and foremost racism is based on economics and control of resources to ensure that it maintain and controlled by white people

[@Mister_Matt_X]

Amen to that!!! I've seen this movie before and it's funny but it's true that racism is very stupid in every way shape and form in this world. My hat goes off to Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Alan Uger, Norman Steinberg and Andrew Bergman for writing this... My dad showed me this movie at a young age many moons ago as a kid but I believe that he did it for a good reason and I'll give him credit for showing me this movie... it maybe rated R but at least I watched it early in my life and I appreciated that.... It should be watched regardless whoever you are!

[@alanwhetstone4396]

Mel Brooks is 97 years old and a universal treasure

[@tenjed4224]

Count Basie is considered one of the most accomplished band leaders in all of music.

[@0okamino]

Also referenced in the movie, bandleader Mongo Santamaria seems to be less remembered now, but was quite popular in his day.

[@fourthgirl]

And every hero must have his theme music.

[@steviekc9057]

Basie, Miller, Satchmo, and the King of all, Sir Duke ❤️🎶

[@troubleondemand7703]

@@parallax3d I mean, just because a record has a groove, that don't make it IN the groove.

[@gamexsimmonds3581]

Count was that boy

[@Regulas_Leonis]

Mel Brooks is a master of "Stupid Humor". Do yourself a favor and work your way through his entire movie collection. Each one is pure Gold.

[@merritttrucker]

Spaceballs will forever be my favourite Mel Brooks film

[@jodimerusi3250]

Young Frankenstein is another classic by Mel Brooks. Gene Wilder is in it and also Madeline Khan (German Singer/Actress from Blazing Saddles). It's a parody of those horror movies from the 1930's. Shot in black and white using some of the actual sets and props from the original movie of Frankenstein. This one is strictly for laughs though. Cleavon Little (Sheriff) was a popular actor who died far too young (53, cancer). I remember when he passed it affected people much in the same way as when Chadwick Boseman passed. 😢

[@mrflickswatches]

Rest easy to the homie 🙏🏼

[@jamesalexander5623]

KHAAAAAAAN !!!

[@wfly81]

Mel Brooks directed “Young Frankenstein”, but it’s actually Gene Wilder’s movie.

[@jodimerusi3250]

​@@wfly81 Thanks, I wasn't aware that Gene Wilder directed Young Frankenstein. It's such a great film and so funny! "Roll, roll, roll in the hay!" 😂😂

[@wfly81]

@@jodimerusi3250 No. Mel directed it, but it was Gene’s movie. He wrote it and hired Mel to direct.

[@mikesmicroshop4385]

In the scene where Gene was talking over Clevon's shoulder and said "You know morons" that line Gean ad-libbed and Clevons laugh was spontaneous!

[@chrisleebowers]

Not coincidentally, it's the line that explains the whole point of the movie

[@thomasmcintosh390]

"They said you was hung!" "And they was right!" Favorite line.

[@elizabethwallis2269]

“Mongo only pawn in game of life.” Not only my favorite quote from this movie but one of my favorite quotes period. Sums up life pretty well. 😂

[@farfromperfek]

I have it on a T-Shirt.

[@ffjsb]

It's my motto. Especially when I was in the military.

[@Gravydog316]

that's one of the lines Richard Pryor wrote (he wrote most of the Mongo stuff)

[@justwondering5651]

That was the original, authentic Count Basie swinging in the desert. He was a renowned jazz musician for over fifty years. He formed his Count Basie Orchestra in 1935 and was a integral part of music's Big Band era aka the Swing Era along with Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, and Benny Goodman. I was pleasantly surprised to learn he was still performing with his band when this movie came out.

[@jamesalexander5623]

Playing "April in Paris'!

[@homebuyercoaches4044]

Frank Sinatra was a really big fan of Count Basie.

[@Coonazz791]

It makes me laugh at how there are some people that think this is a racist movie.

[@themusicwriter1]

Yes indeed!

[@themusicwriter1]

Count Basie was leading his band into the 80's. He passed in '84.

[@stevensauer8539]

The legendary comedian Richard Pryor was one of the writers on this film, and it shows. One of the most bitingly savage satires of racism ever filmed.

[@christhornycroft3686]

This is what's called a satire, particularly a social and racial satire. Everyone talks about Tropic Thunder because they're so rare now, but Mel Brooks made a lot of them until the early 90s. Robin Hood Men In Tights, History of the World Part 1, The Producers (1968 original and 2005 musical) and Spaceballs were all his. He was even known for his rapping skills with such hits as "To Be Or Not To Be" and "It's Good To Be The King."

[@vovindequasahi]

Mel Brooks is still active, so it it wasn't just since the early 90's.

[@Chris-filosifer64]

Almost always forgotten also is The Twelve Chairs (1970)

[@bandotaku]

Don't forget "Young Frankenstein!"

[@johankaewberg8162]

Yay, the Hitler Rap, including breakdancing!

[@johankaewberg8162]

@@bandotakuHis name is Fronkenstin.

[@johnmaxwell1238]

Also, while "Where the white women at?" is unquestionably _the_ line, "Somebody's gotta go back and get a shitload of dimes!" is deserving of an honorable mention.

[@CS-wx3ob]

"They said you were hung." "And they was right." This is my favorite line in the movie.

[@bandman83]

"The Sheriff is near." Is another one.

[@chrisbrown3907]

"Excuse me while I whip this out!"

[@thevoid8578]

Interesting Gene Wilder fact. During the filming of Willy Wonka he discovered that the actress playing Veruca Salt was on set by herself because both parents worked ( child acting does not pay as well as you think it would). So he organized the other actors to keep her safe.

[@johnnehrich9601]

Lili Von Shtupp was a direct parody of Marlene Dietrich, whose strong German accent made her recognizable in every movie she was in. (Love love love her in the 1957 Witness For The Prosecution.) An unforgettable scene in one of her movies was where she straddled a straight back chair in fishnet stockings. She also had a fondness for feminized versions of men's clothing, such as a tuxedo. "Ditto" comes from Latin "dictus," to say or to speak, which also gave us "dictate" and "dictator." In other words, it means "it was said." (Had to look this up since you raised the question.) Mel Brooks also played the Indian chief, who spoke in Yiddish, a blend of German, Russian, and Hebrew. His headband also had Hebrew letters on it. I've been told he was also Hitler in the lunchroom scene, but I never get a good enough view of him to tell. Beans have a rare form of a complex carbohydrate, "oligosaccharides," and humans normally lack enough of the special enzyme to break it down. So it passes down the digestive tract and feeds bacteria which create gas - which is why the rhyme "beans, beans, the magical fruit. The more you eat, the more you toot." This was the first time in the movies that farting was shown, was even mentioned. By the way, if you eat beans regularly, your body will begin to produce more of this enzyme, so beans will eventually no longer give gas. "Camptown Ladies" (basically about prostitutes) was a song composed c. 1850 by American composer Stephen Foster (who composed many many familiar songs). It was specifically written for minstrel shows - which were a common element in vaudeville shows. About half-a-dozen white guys, in blackface, would sit on a row of straight back chairs across the stage facing the audience. They would crack a joke or two, in a totally racist manner, then break into a song, accompanied by playing on banjos, tambourines, and "spoons." In other words, there could not be a MORE offensive song for the cowboys to ask the track workers to sing.

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

I don't know about Hitler but if you look as they pan down the line of the dregs looking to get hired, there's a guy in a brown motorcycle jacket with a scarf around his neck and a biker hat on, he's also Mel Brooks!😮😅

[@farfromperfek]

​@@bernardsalvatore1929Hitler was played by Ralph Manza a character actor with over 170 acting credits.

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

@@farfromperfek but did you also see that Mel Brooks played that biker looking guy in line??

[@farfromperfek]

@@bernardsalvatore1929 didn't know that, will have to look for it.

[@0okamino]

Brooks didn’t play Hitler there, but “They lose me right after the bunker scene” is a historically hilarious line. Just a shame we didn’t “lose” Hitler sooner than that in real life. Not for lack of trying (both from the Allies and even within the Nazi Party), though.

[@BigGator5]

"Hey, where the white women at?" Insanely brilliant comedy that everyone needs to watch at least once. 😎 👍 Fun Fact: Randolph Scott was an American leading man who became Hollywood's greatest and most popular Western star. Historical Facts: Jesse Owens was an American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany. Owens was credited with "single-handedly crushing Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy" boasting before the games. Art Imitates Life Fact: The scene in which Cleavon Little aims his gun at his own head to save himself from the townspeople's wrath was based on an incident from Mel Brooks' childhood. He said that once, to his disbelief, he stole some gum and a water pistol from a drugstore; when a store worker tried to stop him, Brooks held the worker at bay with the very water pistol he had just taken from the store. Music Enthusiast Fact: When Mel Brooks advertised in the show business trade papers for a "Frankie Laine-type" voice to sing the film's title song, he was hoping for a good imitator. Instead, Frankie Laine himself showed up at Brooks' office two days later, ready to do the job, but nobody told him the movie was a parody. Apparently, Laine did not take offense at the deception considering he reportedly was pleased with the film upon seeing it on release. Unwanted Extra Fact: At the end of the movie when the whole group is running out of the Warner Brothers studio front gates, there is a man in a sweater standing on the sidewalk, watching the action. Mel Brooks has said that the man was not part of the movie, and had simply wandered into the scene. They shooed him away and then went to film the scene. The guy came back into the shot and is seen standing next to a light pole as the characters stream past him down the street. Brooks had asked the man to move, as they were getting ready to shoot that scene. The man, not understanding their requests, stood there. So Brooks sent out a waiver for him to sign, and left him in the movie.

[@mrflickswatches]

I lost it at that! I’ve heard that plenty of times in other movies, but never seen the actually scene ! Amazing

[@BigGator5]

I love that line! This movie is iconic! 😂 Go in Peace and Walk with God. 😎 👍

[@HorrorGenreLady]

They had to reshoot that scene because Madeleine Khan ran out and shouted here I am which made everyone bust out laughing

[@glennwisniewski9536]

@@HorrorGenreLady Did she come out of her dwessing woom?

[@HorrorGenreLady]

@@glennwisniewski9536🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 they never mentioned her dwessing woom they only mentioned that she was watching that scene being filmed from the sidelines and decided to run out when Cleavon asked that question

[@GaryLBlakeley]

The way the callout and show how dumb racism is, is what makes this movie a classic. Mel pokes fun at everyone in this movie. So glad you checked this one out. You should check out Space Balls and Young Frankenstein, both are Mel Brooks classics, and feature more 4th wall breaking.

[@KSan357]

The most memorable line for me is probably "Now go do that voodoo that you do so well" the delivery was just top notch

[@rbyapok9158]

It's a line from "You Do Something To Me" by Cole Porter. "Let me live 'neath your spell You do that vodoo that you do so well For you do something to me That nobody else could do"

[@KSan357]

@@rbyapok9158 I never knew it was a reference. cool

[@martyjones984]

You need to watch "Young Frankenstein" next. Gene Wilder wrote and starred, Mel Brooks directed. You will thoroughly enjoy!

[@azermanesward3290]

Gene Wilder is one of the greatest actors of all time and the most gentle soul that existed in Hollywood. Him and Richard Pryor were good friends and did a few movies together, my favorite of them being "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" and I cannot recommend it enough.

[@chrisleebowers]

"Am I getting 'Django' vibes? A little?" A LOT: Black hero at the bottom of society lucks into a law enforcement job, teams up with a more experienced white gunslinger, brings justice to the unjust. There's a scene in both movies where a gang of racist bad guys attack the heroes only to find they've been lured by a silly trick into range of a cache of explosives detonated by the white gunslinger's expert long distance shooting.

[@mrflickswatches]

I wasn’t sure how yaw would feel about that comment but I kept thinking about that movie! One of my favorites!

[@rabbitandcrow]

Although in the case of Blazing Saddles, it’s really important to the antiracist themes of the movie that Gene Wilder is Jewish.

[@jackal59]

@@rabbitandcrow It's most important that Mel Brooks is Jewish and a WWII veteran. That colors his entire approach to racism, which is that it is an idiocy and the only productive response is to mock it out of existence.

[@m_chupon5131]

That dinner scene in Django was SO TENSE, DiCaprio was such a good villain. Also Sam Jackson reminded us he's a damn good actor, even though many directors these days seem to want him to just play himself.

[@ruffboiALT]

I love that Lily says "wilkommen bienvenue welcome" every time she invites someone in cause that's a line from Cabaret XD

[@Meanjoseverde]

A testament to this movies endurance is that a lot of the jokes were for those who loved and grew up with westerns, like the cows in the bar and the number of defenestrations (thrown out windows). Those don't hit the same, but sooo much of the movies still hits because of the social commentary makes it endure.

[@Jsspres]

Mel Brooke wrote songs and raps for all his movies. The first movie he directed eas The Producers, which makes fun of Nazis it won both a Grammy and an Emmy. It also stars Gene Wilder.

[@shawnmiller4781]

Arguably the producers is better than Blazing Saddles but it is really close

[@jamesalexander5623]

@@shawnmiller4781 Seeing 'Blazing Saddles' I laughed till my sides ached! Seeing "The Producers" when the Guy started singing "Springtime for Hitler" I had an Asthma Attack and couldn't see the screen through my Tears!

[@nettiemac]

You missed the most iconic line of all: "Excuse me while I whip this out" :D :D :D (The whole movie is full of them!)

[@tenjed4224]

Clevon Little was destined, by most in the business to become a great star, But his bright star dimmed when he passed away at an early age.

[@stephenkehl7158]

“Fought Indians, fought drought, fought locusts, fought Dix…” is a play on the name of a US Army post in New Jersey, Fort Dix.

[@WithTwoFlakes]

Which Mel Brooks was quite familiar with. He passed through there three times. After being drafted, he reported to Fort Dix to be inducted there before being sent on his way to basic training & radio operator training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Once trained, he passed through Fort Dix again on his way overseas to France. After the war, he went back to Dix again as he left the Army with an honorable discharge and the rank of corporal.

[@markreed392]

That was the Count Bassi orchestra. And yes they were very famous.

[@rachel55198]

Mel Brooks is a comedic genius. So many movies and directors have used his works as inspiration and once you see all of them you can’t help but connect the dots. Real comedy touches on real issues and that’s why it hits. We are all human and the stupid idiosyncrasies are what make it so comedic. Much love 💙💙💙

[@aresef]

10:16 That's the Count Basie Orchestra, and the bandleader is Count Basie himself. Basie died in 1984 but the orchestra is still around. You gotta look up the Gene Wilder/Richard Pryor films. This very nearly could've been one of them. Pryor was one of the writers on this and he was supposed to play Sheriff Bart, but he was uninsurable. Jim was originally played by Gig Young, whose agent swore he was off the sauce. He got on set and immediately fell ill from alcohol withdrawal. So Mel called Gene. It was during shooting that Gene suggested to Mel what became Young Frankenstein, another classic.

[@michaelschroeck2254]

Our world needs more movies like this and Tropic Thunder.

[@keithmartin4670]

Count Basie was one of the major big band leaders. He led that group for almost 50 years. The joke was that a lot of movies have music that comes out of nowhere. Here you see the musicians. Most of the original audiences would have recognized the Count immediately.

[@ameyer1970]

Most iconic line “badges, we don’t need no stinking badges”. Most people know the line, but don’t know where it vines from.

[@careersinfocus8124]

Gene Wilder Recommendations (WWATCF and BS included for timeline reference): 1967 The Producers - Mel Brooks Film 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory 1971 Young Frankenstein - Mel Brooks Film 1974 Blazing Saddles - Mel Brooks Film 1976 Silver Streak 1980 Stir Crazy 1989 See No Evil, Hear No Evil

[@farfromperfek]

I'm 57 and Gene Wilder will always be Willy Wonka for me as well. A joke most people miss is Lilly Van Stupp. Stupp in Yiddish means having sex. Of all the great lines in this movie, my favorite is "Mongo is only pawn in game of life". Who is played by former NFL Lions DT Alex Karras.

[@MotivGuy94]

His son plays on the patriots too.

[@farfromperfek]

@@MotivGuy94 cool, I didn't know that.

[@christhornycroft3686]

Gene Wilder was also in Young Frankenstein the same year as Blazing Saddles with Mel Brooks and was in a few movies with Richard Pryor, my favourite being Silver Streak, which has one of the greatest comedic scenes ever that you could never get away with today. "What's the matter? Afraid it won't come off?" That's all I'll say.

[@StephenLWilson]

LOL@"Afraid it won't come off?" - Any movie with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor is a classic - Stir Crazy being maybe the most popular. My favorite is See No Evil, Hear No Evil. Freakin hilarious!

[@lostwizard]

+1000 for Silver Streak. Absolutely hilarious.

[@Thane36425]

There was some quicksand around where I grew up. In some places it was only a couple of feet deep before you hit solid ground, so we kids would "walk" across those parts, sinking in about waist deep. There were a few more dangerous spots though that didn't look bad at all. Some of these looked like a sandy bank in the creek, but it was so soft, one kid that jumped on it almost completely vanished. Fortunately it wasn't too hard to pull him back out. Suffice it to say, if we ever went down to unfamiliar parts of the creek of into the marshy areas, we always took long walking sticks, or shovels, to test questionable ground.

[@remo27]

Randolf Scott was, as far as I can tell the first 'big' Action Star sort of like Sylvester Stallone, Arnie, etc. He starred in dozens of Westerns almost always as the Lead Man and a "Good Guy" and a few Detective movies. If I recall this was all between the late 1920's and early or mid 1950's until he retired.

[@colleenabood8775]

Try Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, and Hear no evil, see no evil..... all Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor... one of the best comedic duos ever.

[@galandirofrivendell4740]

Ah, yes. Silver Streak, an underappreciated gem of a comic mystery. Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor's first collaboration on the silver screen. One of my favorite comedies from the 1970s.

[@marlenakirk17]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Mel Brooks! May I suggest Robin Hood Men in Tights next! You won’t be disappointed✌🏻

[@academyofshem]

The band that Sherriff Bart meets in the desert is Count Basie's Orchastra, one of the most famous Jazz bands of all time. The song they are playing is "April in Paris."

[@davewinter2688]

You are the first reactor I ever heard questioning this ridiculous “ breaking the fourth wall” bit. Congratulations! Speaking out of character directly to the audience is a centuries old theatre term called an aside! So many great iconic lines here. Too many for me to mention. Most reactors don’t get half the jokes in the movie because they’re too young and have little or no movie or theater history knowledge. I’m 71 years old and saw the movie when it was first released in 1974. It’s probably my favorite movie of all time. Here’s my list of other Mel Brooks movies for you to watch. The 12 Chairs, The Producers, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, Spaceballs, Silent Movie, Robin Hood-Men In Tights. Probably some others I can’t think of now. You’ll be hooked for life. Now that you’ve already watched Blazing Saddles, go research Randolph Scott, Laurel and Hardy, Marlene Dietrich. Movie Treasure of the Sierra Madre. The line “Badges?! We don’t need no stinking badges”! was lifted verbatim from that movie. Count Basie and His Orchestra. Frankie Lane who sang the theme song for Blazing Saddles and the theme for the television show Raw Hide. When he recorded the Blazing Saddles theme he did not know anything about the movie. He thought it was going to be a real old time western ala John Wayne and put his heart and soul into it. Find the bios on as many of the actors as you can. They were a who’s who of TV and movie stars of the day long before Gene Wilder came along. You’ll be happy to know that Gene and Madeline Khan were both in several other Brooks movies. Also Gene Wilder was in movies with Richard Pryor. You will enjoy those too.

[@IZZY_EDIBLE]

The best line in the movie was the one they cut out. When Bart is on Lily's couch, she finds him in the dark and asks him, "Is it true about how they say you people are. . . gifted?" ZZZZIIIIPPPP "Oh, it's true!" That's when the movie fades to the next scene. However, the original cut of that scene ended differently. "Oh, it's true! It's true it's true it's true!" And then Bart says, "Ma'am, you're sucking on my arm." The studio forced Mel Brooks to edit that joke out! Bastards!

[@Lepidopray]

This movie didn't break the fourth wall, they just never bothered to put it up.

[@kennethcook9406]

Mongo was played by Alex Karras, a famous all-pro and hall-of-fame lineman (defensive tackle) for the Detroit Lions.

[@MsAnP1]

Every Gene Wilder film never disappoints ❤️ watch all of them

[@thunderatigervideo]

Cleavon Little played Sheriff Bart. He started on Broadway, won a Tony, and moved to television. He passed away in 1992. I love his acting style. You can see the stage training. Everything is a little bigger, clearer, and crisper. Reminds me of Tim Curry, who also spent a considerable amount of his early career on Broadway.

[@vovindequasahi]

There are so many things in this movie that you don't catch on first watch. Like the horse had a rope around its head too at the hanging, and they are all Johnsons in the town, and they fought their neighboring town, the Dicks. ;-) It's all so clever that you have to keep on your toes to not miss stuff like that, and that is really hard because just two seconds after a joke there will be another. Hilarious great movie. Also, I'm not entirely sure Gene wasn't actually drinking whisky in those scenes... There was a lot of booze and pot in the Mel Brooks studio back in those days. ;-)

[@rbyapok9158]

"Fought dicks" is a play on "Fort Dix", a military base in New Jersey. He takes it a step further by saying "Remember when Richard Dix came to town..." Richard Dix was a silent movie star best known for westerns. Fort Dix is named in honor of Maj. Gen. John Adams Dix, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Civil War, and a former United States Senator, Secretary of the Treasury and Governor of New York. (None of this will be on the test. Class dismissed.😊)

[@nettiemac]

It always makes me crack up when the schoolmarm says “I’m not used to public speaking….”

[@petergaynes9201]

The choice for another Mel Brooks/Gene Wilder movie is Young Frankenstein. I also enjoyed Gene Wilder in Stir Crazy and Silver Streak. Sadly, Cleavon Little, who played Sheriff Bart, died when he was only 53 years old.

[@GranpaMike]

Gene Wilder was in some films with Richard Pryor, definitely worth watching. He did another Mel Brooks movie called "YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN" (1974) that was one of his best performances. Madeline Kahn, (who played Lili), is also in it. One of my favorites, though, is "THE FRISCO KID" (1979), another comedy western, this time with Harrison Ford. Gene Wilder is on my short list of favorite actors. He passed in 2016. Nice work on this reaction! :)

[@m_chupon5131]

Richard Pryor helped write this film too

[@annmariemills1554]

History of the World part 1 is my ABSOLUTE favorite Mell Brooks movie. All his movies are just fun, stupid fun Never take them too seriously ❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂

[@lorelliaod]

I feel like I still quote this movie at list once a month, lmao

[@lisanelson6073]

The actor playing the sheriff is Cleavon Little. He died at age 53 of colon cancer in 1992.

[@denveradams4909]

The actor who was the sheriff, was also in the original Walton's movie, "The Homecoming". He played Rev. Hawthorne. Another actor in this movie, played sheriff Bridges in the Walton's movie. Just some interesting facts.

[@steviekc9057]

Mungo was played by Alex Karras, a retired Detroit Lions defensive tackle. He later went on to play George Papadopoulos in the '80s sitcom Webster.

[@robertcarran9585]

Also in Victor-Victoria

[@steviekc9057]

@@robertcarran9585 Oh my god I love Victor Victoria!

[@robhansen6370]

One of the iconic lines that a lot of people miss, is when Bart rides into town for the first time. John Hillerman (who'd go on to play Higgins in Magnum, P.I.) as one of the townsfolk who welcomes the new sheriff, says "we like to present you with this Laurel and hearty handshake.", after the comedy pair Laurel and Hardy.

[@chello1197]

Count Basie and his orchestra. One of the most famous of all time. That's who was playing in the desert.

[@DavidStebbins]

I was 11 or 12 when this movie came out in 1974. It was rated R so I talked my mom into taking me to go see it. One of my favorite life-long memories is how we both laughed our asses off watching Blazing Saddles together. After this, we went to see all the Mel Brooks movies in the 1970s together. Regarding the racial slurs, it's important to remember that everyone who uses one in a negative way was either just plain stupid (all the villains) or simply ignorant (the townsfolk, who learn better and come to love Bart). In this way, Mel Brooks not only made a parody of Westerns, but also made an effective parody of racism. Later, he was often told that you couldn't make a movie like that today. He always responded, "We couldn't make a movie like that back then!" When WB executives saw an initial cut of the film they were ready to cancel the release entirely. Brooks arranged a second viewing for studio workers and they loved it so much that the executives agreed to a limited release (Chicago, NYC, and LA). It was so popular in those cities that they agreed to a slightly wider release, over and over until it was released everywhere. If you want a recommendation, how about another Gene Wilder role in a Mel Brooks movie, look for Young Frankenstein. It is as good as Blazing Saddles, IMO.

[@Grace-ms7un]

I applaud the editor for the clip of this guy dying laughing and the sheriff saying "i am so talented! These people are so dumb!"🎉 chef kiss

[@michaelthomas3821]

my dude, this is chock full of old Hollywood in-jokes which makes it all the more delicious when you get them too. and the funny part of with the young Bart in the covered wagon is Mel Brooks as the Chief is that they are speaking Yiddish which is a Jewish German dialect that we get lots of borrow words from (schmuck, putz, schlep, nosh...). it's all in a very Vaudeville slapstick style with tons of physical humor that went out style by the time they made this film. you really should watch it again a few times so you understand more of the gags. like the gag about "we can sue her!" is a reference to Hedy Lamar the actress who sued Brooks over the movie and is a self-reference to when the movie set. there is just so much of this it's just gold

[@Jim87_36]

I love watching people reacting trying to rationalize and think Blazing Saddles as an actual movie (non-parody). I’m just sitting here saying: “You’re asking too many questions. Just roll with it man.”

[@glennwisniewski9536]

Richard Dix was a real-life actor who starred in Cimarron, the first Western film to win an Oscar for Best Picture. The second joke is that the town "fought Dix" (a play on Fort Dix, the real-life U.S. Army post in New Jersey). Subtle joke after subtle joke here.

[@josheldridge8546]

"Piss on you, I'm working for Mel Brooks" was something of a "fuck it, we ball" back in the day.

[@bandman83]

Madeline Kahn was both a singer and comedian. She studied music as an undergrad at Hofstra and Brooks purposely had her to sing that way for the film. Comedic genius.

[@Ironoclasty]

Mel Brooks also made a movie called "Silent Movie," but it was filled to the brim with cameos - in fact, the whole movie was nothing but cameos. You would need to deeply immerse yourself in the pop culture of the 70s in order to keep up with what's going on. But at the time, it was hilarious. If they made that movie today, imagine having nothing but scene after scene of internet memes going through all the current pop icons from every corner of the entertainment industry.

[@brettpeacock9116]

Cleavon Little plays a DJ in the original 1971 version of "Vanishing Point" Well worth checking that one out. A secondary, but vital, role.

[@TheDuckofDoom.]

Good movies in a similar absurd humor category: The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Airplane! (Though it is loaded with old pop-culture references that you might not catch as a younger cat, there is still plenty of timeless humor too.).

[@billbusby3180]

While hunting my cousin waded across a creek 3 foot wide about 5 inches deep. He sunk to his knees as soon as he stepped in. I tried to pull him out, but lost my grip. Now he was up to his waist. I called our friends to help at which time he had sunk to his chest. Using coats, shirts and branches the 4 of managed to get him out. From his arm pits down he was covered in black muck. So we called it quick muck instead of quick sand.

[@timothypanngam2249]

The band that you see playing when the sheriff makes his first appearance, is Count Basie and his Orchestra. A legendary Jazz pianist, bandleader and composer.

[@ffjsb]

Count Basie's Orchestra was HUGE back in the day. Mel Brooks is one of the few people in the movie that are still alive today. Brooks was a WWII veteran, and was in the Battle of the Bulge to give you an idea of how old he is. He could do it all. Madeline Khan the singer could actually sing, she could've been an opera singer she was so good, but she chose acting. Richard Pryor was supposed to play Sheriff Bart, but his drug use made him too unpredictable. He did to a lot of the writing though.

[@jeanine6328]

Oh good God, Don! Never seen a Mel Brooks film. I envy you so much seeing this for the first time. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your experience. Iconic lines? “Hey, where da whites women at?” My favorite line line is “You use your tongue prettier than a $20 whore” The most overlooked, in my opinion, is the first part of the cafeteria scene where a guy asks the Hitler actor when he’d be done. Hitler responds, they lose me right after the bunker scene. Funny because Hitler was said to if off’d himself in the bunker. They were IN the bunker, I can’t remember where I’m himself it hit. 🥸

[@42Meglet]

Madelen Kahn is an amazing actress who worked with Mel Brooks a lot during her career. She is hilarious! I love her in Clue, she makes me cackle. Check out anything she did, or any work Mel Brooks did; especially when he was a director. Blazing Saddles is by far my favorite, followed by Space Balls and Men in Tights.

[@LadyGreensleeves33]

Mel Brooks was a Jewish WWII veteran who's greatest joy was mocking assholes, including Hitler himself several times over 😂 But he writes, produces, directs, and acts in most of his films (he has co-writers in sone, or hands over directing duties at times) as well as writes the lyrics to any songs in them. And he wrote both Broadway musical adaptations of his films so far too 😂 In this he was the Governor and the Chief, and even that, which might seem kinda racist by our standards, was poking fun at the 1930s westerns who often cast jewish people as native americans who just ended up speaking Yiddish on camera because it was equally as incomprehensible to the average white guy as any native language would be.

[@toddbonny3708]

Cleavon Little died about 1993 at age 50ish. He was mainly a theater actor.

[@ronbarnes687]

This was one of the funniest movies of the 70's it was made to make you laugh and think at the same time..

[@jbs2763]

Dude the comedies with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor are epic

[@dedcowbowee]

Nice reaction. Try "Young Frankenstein". Mel Brooks Gene Wilder and Madeline Khan are in that one too.

[@41Vega]

I’ve always wanted to see quicksand in person…like a childhood dream of mine.

[@timroebuck3458]

The band in the desert was Count Basie. Huge during the Big Bands era.

[@MysticMyths]

Definitely watch more Mel Brooks. I highly recommend Space Balls and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. I grew up watching those and Blazing Saddles.

[@Shay_Mendez]

Mongo was played by former NFL defensive tackle Alex Karras, brother of former offensive lineman Ted Karras Sr, uncle of former nfl player and coach Ted Karras Jr who also played in the NFL, and grand uncle of Ted Karras III, who currently plays for the Bengals. Alex died back in 2012.

[@brettpeacock9116]

Madeline Kahn (Lili Von Schtupp) was both a trained singer and a Comedienne. In fact she had to practise singing VERY badly (with a German accent!) for the movie... She also appears in another Mel Brooks movie - Young Frankenstein (Which is a direct parody of the 1936 Frankenstein directed by James Whale.....)

[@beatleschick1000]

third reaction of yours and I love your channel and your attitude. You can laugh at this movie that some can’t. Some don’t realize that it was making the people who were prejudiced look like idiots. I saw this with my parents and older brother in the theaters when it came out. I was 12. Not sure about ratings and how we got in, but we did and it’s one of my favorite memories of my dad now. At the time, at that age, he embarrassed me to death, because he laughed so long and so loud at the “fart “scene. I was embarrassed to death and so was my brother. He was about 15, ha ha. Miss both my parents so much, but was very blessed to have them until ages 89 and 93. ❤️❤️

[@smittybenzo4693]

Count Basie and his orchestra in the desert is funny even if you're not familiar with him or his music being that its a joke about movie scores. We hear music in movies all the time but we never see where its coming from. 😄

[@MGower4465]

Slim Pickens, Taggart, suggested the shovel-head interaction as why Bart was going to be hanged. "Taggart" had it coming, per Pickens. Pickens also camped out at the on-location shooting site. Both Bart and Jim are left-handed, which is why they both are so talented and smart. "The orange roof on Howard Johnson's outhouse" is a reference to the chain motel of the 70s and 80s called Howard Johnson's, known for having a bright orange roof so it was easy to see from the highway.

[@steviekc9057]

"I always like to keep my audience rivited!"

[@kleinnel]

Harvey Korman is another actor in this movie you should check out. He was hilarious with Tim Conway and Carol Burnett in the Carol Burnett show. There were some very famous skits you should check out from that including the dentist skit which he was in and the Elephant story which he wasn't

[@lauracwhitney]

Every word that could be offensive to countless different races, nationality, was needed in this brilliant film that mocked every prejudice that exists. Mel Brooks is a genius.

[@beatleschick1000]

Oh, let me think of some other questions you asked. The band in the desert was Count Basie orchestra and yes, they were very famous on TV and playing live shows I believe in the 40s and 50s if I’m not mistaken. Hedley Lamar’s name was almost exactly the same as a very beautiful, famous woman movie star in the 40s named Hedy Lamar. that’s why he kept correcting everyone and people back then got it. to me the most famous line I guess is “what the hell is THAT shit???” just the way, he says it with that pronunciation tickles me and I say it often when I don’t understand something… To myself if I’m not in the correct company. Sometimes people even realize what it’s from when I say it that way, ha ha. The one I’ve heard repeated most often over the years is Madeline Kahn, the actress who played Lily, saying, “Oh it’s twue, it’s twue, it’s TWUE!!!” What’s funny is in those days at age 12, I didn’t even get that. My how times have changed! Gene Wilder movies: he is one of my favorites also and his very first movie appearance is a small part in the 60s movie Bonnie and Clyde with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. Very very very good movie which ending was the most violent thing that had been filmed up to that time, it was very controversial. He plays the boy friend in a couple that they kidnap early in the movie and let go. He’s hard to recognize even. My other favorite movie of his was right around this time, again for Mel Brooks. Gene was the star of it and it was very,very funny called Young Frankenstein. You’d love it!!! I also enjoyed him in a movie called Silver Streak and another popular comedy Stir Crazy with Richard Pryor. The actor that played the sheriff, Cleavon Little, died young, sadly, in 1992, aged 53 from cancer. I always loved him from this movie. I hope things are going well for you, I’ve heard you mention in a couple of your reactions that you’re having some tough times. we all have them and somehow we make it through and usually are stronger for it. Prayers going up for you.

[@drigerdranzer7514]

The cows everywhere is a movie industry reference when they advertise for extras that just shall be there and not have any lines, it's called a "cattle call".

[@lauracwhitney]

Cleavon Little was an experienced Broadway stage actor, who had also been in some movies. Originally, Richard Pryor was chosen to play the part of the Sheriff. But he had a lot of controversy going on at the time. He and Mel Brooks collaborated on writing this movie. It was then decided that Cleavon Little should play the role. Cleavon was a highly educated man who was very academic and had also studied acting. this movie was made in 1974. Sadly, Cleavon Little died way too soon, at age 52, around 2003. He did a fabulous job in this film. I believe he had one daughter who is now a successful multi venue artist. Cleavon was a gifted man who was perfect in the role of Sheriff of Rockridge. One other suggestion: For anyone who is a young adult, viewing this film for the first...or one hundredth time, it would be wise to see it with a person of my age (77 years old). Just about every sentence or scene in this brilliant film contains a historical reference with connection to events and characters who were very famous or well known. An elderly person could instantly tell you what each scene or character represented. So if you have access to a grandmother or grandfather, you would get an even richer perspective for the meanings in this film. Mel Brooks was a brilliant screen writer who produced Blazing Saddles as a mockery of all kinds of racism, prejudices, ignorance and stupidity. He was a very daring writer and producer. He also a famous Broadway show which featured a singing and dancing chorus and choreography called "Springtime for Hitler". The chorus line members were dress in full Nazi, or possibly Waffen SS uniforms, which also included helmets from World War II in Germany, and they were kicking and dancing in the style of the Rockettes. Sorry to write so much, but I thought it might be helpful for the folks who are much younger than I. This was a great reaction, by the way, Very well done. I am proud to be a subscriber.

[@FrogLegs313]

The musical group in the desert is the Count Basie Orchestra led by the incomparable Count Basie himself. The cows are a reference to open casting gatherings often referred to as "cattle calls". The guy playing Mongo is Alex Karras, a former All-Pro tackle for the Detroit Lions. I believe he's also in the Hall of Fame. He later played the adopted father in the TV series "Webster". "And now for my next impression ...... Jesse Owens!" refers to the legendaryMr. Owens, a track and field athlete fromOhio State University who in 1936 single-handedly dismantled the dominant German Olympic track team in front of Hitler himself right in Berlin by winning four Gold medals. Fora single black athlete to dominate the best examples of the superior Aryan race was completely demoralizing to the Nazi movement.

[@bowtieguy377]

The co-lead opposite Gene Wilder you were wondering about was Cleavon Little. Yes, he died in the early nineties and he was only in his early fifties (cancer). He started on Broadway and then moved on to play parts on TV and some movies throughout the 70's and 80's. . He also did a somewhat popular TV series around the time of "Blazing Saddles" called "Temperature's Rising". Good actor.

[@waynesmith5442]

The band was Count Basie and his orchestra..very popular in the 1950s and 60s

[@saiyasha848]

Cleavon Little (Barts Actor) has done quite a bit in his time, but sadly passed away in 1992 at the age of 53 of colon cancer. It is a shame he isn't in more well known movies, because this man is an _amazing_ actor

[@donalddavid3431]

Another quotable line is "Excuse me while I whip this out" 😅😅😅 Young Frankenstein is a fantastic Mel Brooks movie with the great Gene Wilder. ❤

[@glynnborders762]

The most iconic lines are, "Excuse me while I whip this out." and "Is it twu what they say about you people? It's twu! it's twu."

[@lisanelson6073]

One of the most iconic lines of this movie to me is when Madeline Kahn says, “it’s true it’s true!”

[@juliacalhoun9491]

I am ALWAYS in the mood for a Mel Brooks flick! And Madeline Kahn (the blonde singer) is my favorite-ever actress. Fantastic movie!

[@tenjed4224]

Gene Wilder was great in this role. Clevon replaced the guy who went on to play with him in many roles, including Silver Streak. Richard Pryor wrote much of this movie with Mel Brooks. But he was too busy to be in the film. So Clevon was picked. And he was a great substitute.

[@garyseward1641]

Richard Pryor was not in the film not because he was too busy, but because he was strung out on cocaine and the movie studio was afraid he would cause delays and mess up production. They were proved correct when Richard had a Monday 9 a.m. meeting with Mel and the studio executives and didn't show up. Later that afternoon, Mel got phone call from him. Mel said, "Richard, where are you?" To which Richard replied, "Detroit." Mel asked him, "How the hell did you get to Detroit?" Richard replied, "I don't know." So Richard Pryor wasn't too busy, he was too strung out on coke and didn't know where he was or what he was doing most of the time.

[@wolfgar271]

"Fought Dix" was a play on words referring to Fort Dix in New Jersey.