Blazing Saddles | Canadian First Time Watching | Movie Reaction | Movie Review | Movie Commentary

[@CineBingeReact]

What's your favorite Mel Brooks costume?

[@brom00]

IMO, it would be as the Native American Chief in this movie.

[@Rio..o7..]

Van Hellsing

[@MLJ7956]

Rabbi Tuckman 😉

[@Aeonova]

The one from Space Balls when he gets "beamed" and ends up with his butt on his front side. "Is it safe?" "Oh yes, sir. Snotty beamed me twice last night".

[@Jay-ate-a-bug]

Rabbi Tuckman from Men in Tights.

[@deargamadaun]

The guy in the commissary playing Hitler saying "They lose me after the bunker scene" is one of my favorite quick, throwaway jokes of all time.

[@Serai3]

Then he stands on the far counter and heil's during the pie fight. :D

[@user-dz6fy6qv2l]

@@Serai3 I legit never noticed him in the background until today and I've seen the movie numerous times.

[@sabrecatsmiladon7380]

in his HEAVY New York accent

[@huber7777]

@@Serai3 My favorite part is that he switches arms a couple of times during his salutes XD

[@brennenbjorgan1867]

She died of ovarian cancer

[@daveweston5158]

If it makes you feel any better, the horse that was 'punched' was specially trained to react the way it did... The American Humane Society even presented a special award at the Academy Awards for that scene, as the horse was not harmed during filming... 🙂

[@Redplant99]

Yes - as the punch is thrown you can see the rider pull the horse's head to the right as the signal for it to fall down. Also, the man in the blue sweater standing on the corner as Harvey Korman runs past him is a passer-by who just happened to be there as they filmed the mob running through the studio gates.

[@margretrosenberg420]

The horse who slips and falls in the mud was also not harmed. In the early days of movie making horses were regularly injured in Westerns, but by the 1970s they'd come up with ways to avoid that, including training the horses to fall safely on command. And if you want to see a trained horse that totally steals the show, watch _Shanghai Noon,_ starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. It takes real talent to steal the show when the star is Jackie Chan.

[@robertwilliams4486]

Best ending ever. Full stop. This film taught me as a child that racists are jerks and how to swear, thanks Mel.

[@TREKKINGwithTREKKIE]

Same. I was 10 when I first watched this.

[@jonathonturner7281]

Same

[@doomtho42]

I was probably 13 or 14 when I first saw Blazing Saddles, and I’d have to say it taught me that positivity (i.e. jokes & laughter) is uniquely able to neutralize negativity. Why fight fire with fire when you could instead fight fire with water?

[@Darmesis]

I read that when Gene Wilder described the "common clay folk of the West" to the Sheriff, he ad libbed the line at the end: "You know - *'Morons.'"* Cleavon Little _genuinely_ cracked-up over it. 😆

[@donotevenbegintocare]

"You know......morons" Ad-libbed line, that's why Cleavon Little can't help laughing. This production also featured the only line Mel Brooks was ever forced to remove from a film. After she says "It's True, It's True!" Bart originally replied "Ma'am, that's my elbow"

[@mulrich]

He made that decision himself. He had final cut on the movie. The executives couldn't force him to do anything, and they tried.

[@thedukeofnuts]

"I hate to disappoint you lady, but you are sucking on my arm."

[@malcolmrowe9003]

A great gag but might have detracted from the intent of the scene.

[@GKinslayer]

That line was in the film for some time because I remember hearing it when I saw this movie when I was a kid.

[@kalelvigil1510]

I think the full line was "I hate to disappoint you Ms. Schtupp, but you're sucking on my arm."

[@JohnGunn]

"Instead of leaving, they're staying in droves" is one of the most brilliant lines ever written.

[@bengilbert7655]

Lily von Shtupp and her act was a parody of Marlene Dietrich’s character in the classic western Destry Rides Again with Jimmy Stewart.

[@WUStLBear82]

And the song _I'm Tired_ is a parody of the Cole Porter song _The Laziest Gal in Town_ that Dietrich performed in Hitchcock's _Stage Fright_ and became one of the standards in her touring caberet act.

[@vorlon1]

And shtupp is Yiddish for, in polite terms, sexual intercourse.

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

Madeline Kahn is also an accomplished singer. She said it was just as hard to sing bad as it is to sing well.

[@vorlon1]

@@dr.burtgummerfan439 Very true.

[@Richard-Vlk]

​@@vorlon1 Very twue.

[@Umptyscope]

"That voodoo that you do so well" is a line from the Cole Porter song "You Do Something to Me."

[@gggooding]

When Pryor and Brooks were writing this, they struggled with the ending. They knew they needed a big set piece. And then it hit them - a big _set piece_ .

[@michaeljensen6732]

Many of the actors you didn't recognize were in a lot of other movies/tv shows. Cleavon Little was bigger on stage than movies or tv. Richard Pyror was co writer and was originally going to play Bart but the studio knew of his drug use and didn't want him. Taggert, Slim Pickens was in Dr Strangelove, he rode the bomb down to the target at the end. Hedley Lamarr, Harvey Korman was on The Carol Burnett Show for years. Mongo, Alex Karras was a retired Detroit Lions' Defensive Lineman and went on to star in the tv show Webster. Olson Johnson, David Huddleston, was the title character in The Big Lebowski. Howard Johnson, John Hillerman co starred with Tom Selleck in Magnum PI. Many of the other actors had been in many western movies and tv shows and some comedies.

[@mikeoxstiff]

"Nevermind that shit...Here comes Mongo!!"

[@jackal59]

@@mikeoxstiff "Mongo! Santa Maria!" Mongo Santamaria was a famous Afro-Cuban band leader of the 1960s... which means they must have named the character just so that they could do that two-second joke. That's commitment.

[@josheldridge8546]

Olsen Johnson himself was another reference -- Olsen & Johnson were two comedians who hit it big on Broadway with Hellzapoppin. If they weren't an influence on Mel I'd be incredibly surprised.

[@Britcarjunkie]

The name Hedley Lamarr was a take on actress Heddy Lamarr: if I recall correctly, she was a bit upset about this play on her name. And, of course, Howard Johnson...younger people are unaware now, but Howard Johnson's was once a hotel/restaurant giant, but is all but nonexistant today.

[@tracy4290]

@@Britcarjunkie AND the Howard Johnson's chain had orange roofs as part of their signature look.

[@ugaladh]

I loved Slim Pickens and his line "someone's got to go back to town and get a shitload of dimes." is always one of my favorite parts of this movie.

[@flashgordon6238]

That line is a sound clip for my incoming message alerts.

[@robertcartwright4374]

Me too! Slim Pickens is just perfect.

[@flashgordon6238]

I have "someone's got to go back and get a shitload of dimes" as one of my ringtones. Also have " you use your tongue prettier than a 20 dollar whore" for when the better half calls.

[@motorcycleboy9000]

​@@flashgordon6238*WHAT IN THE WIDE WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS*

[@motorcycleboy9000]

WHAT IN THE WIDE WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS

[@markmosley3547]

It’s interesting that George reacted to the rock formation in the background because he has definitely seen it before. The location is Vasquez Rocks and it’s been used as a location so often that it is in danger of being worn out.

[@Yora21]

It looks great and is right outside Hollywood.

[@claudiadarling9441]

Used many times throughout the history of Star Trek too. Probably most famously as the location where Kirk fights the Gorn.

[@Gealaiche]

Vasquez rocks is the Wilhelm scream of locations..

[@gregstephens]

@@Yora21 Welll, not RIGHT outside Hollywood, but about an hour's drive, depending on traffic. :)

[@mikejankowski6321]

@@gregstephens It's less than a half hour south of me. Nice park to visit.

[@NathanJasper]

Blazing Saddles and Robin Hood: Men in Tights are my go-to pick-me-up movies when I'm severely depressed. Mel Brooks always makes me smile.

[@ArfurFaulkesHake]

Love Men in Tights. Especially the bridge fight.

[@Hobbie375]

And why not? It worked in Blazing Saddles.

[@gerardhiggins4827]

@@ethankeller1835 Mel Brooks was losing his comic touch when he directed that and Dracula..Dead and loving it..he soon retired after them turkey’s.

[@ToddQuinlan]

@@ArfurFaulkesHake If we don't get no tolls then we don't eat no rolls

[@kissmy_butt1302]

Men in Tights has extra value as Dave Chappelle's first movie.

[@JohnnyUtah15]

06:10 “Get on that _handcar_ and take it down at the end of the line.” Simone: I’ve always wanted to try one of those things. Track… what are they called? George: No idea. 😂😂😂

[@iluvausten40517]

Two notes on Madeline Kahn: 1. In this movie, she is very much doing a parody of the great Marlene Dietrich (specifically from the movie Destry Rides Again, which is very much worth your time). 2. She never understood why people thought she was funny. She never believed she was funny . . . which is insane. If you want to see her at the top of her form (in several ways), you want to watch Paper Moon (1973) which is also just an awesome film generally.

[@christopherb501]

Any others you'd recommend?

[@iluvausten40517]

@@christopherb501 To my mind, anything with her in it is worth your time

[@jrnsurlan405]

Silent Movie, High Anxiety, both by Mel Brooks.

[@peteralexander5744]

A lady who left us way too soon. An amazing comic actress.

[@caffeineadvocate]

My favorite part is the “Louder! We can’t hear you!” “I’m sorry. I’m not used to public speaking…. WEEEEEEE”

[@macontosh2000]

If you want more Mel Brooks go with The Producers next (the original, not the musical remake). And if you want more Madeline Kahn, you should definitely go with Clue.

[@jksgameshelf3378]

Madeline is great in “The Heartbreak Kid” too. She was hilarious.

[@MLJ7956]

She was also great in High Anxiety also with Mel Brooks 😉

[@Cheepchipsable]

Madeline had her own TV series. Mel Did Silent Movie too, and a def watch of a Mel Brooks produced film is The Elephant Man.

[@andrewgrossman4982]

The Producers (original 1967) is my favorite comedy of all time.

[@DomIstKrieg]

"Flames. Flames on the side of my face."

[@mikeydubbs8565]

“Not only was it authentic frontier gibberish”, “Hey, where’ the white women at?”, “But we don’t want the Irish” and “Someone’s gotta go back and get a shitload of dimes” are my favorite lines from any movie, let alone this one film alone

[@EthanDarke]

Being of Irish descent, I'm highly offended at the "we don't want the Irish" line...he doesn't call us a slur there! The blacks and Asians got called a slur, but nooo we're just 'the Irish' it just ain't fair 😆

[@QuayNemSorr]

One of my favorite comedies ever. Clevon Little threatening himself is the funniest scene in movie history to me. His delivery and mannerism is just perfect. "Hold it!..Next man makes a move the N gets it"

[@naiaddore1797]

Yes! When I first saw that scene it made me laugh so hard. But it was when the lady said: "Ain't anybody gonna help that poor man!" where I literally fell off the couch to the floor and I almost couldn't breathe I was laughing that hard. I ended up just staying on the floor for the rest of the movie.

[@Thrui]

Re'ren'!!

[@treetopjones737]

It's a great bit about how stupid bigots are.

[@cageygutman7027]

"isn't anyone going to help that poor man?"

[@suflanker45]

@@naiaddore1797 I lost it when the guy said "He's not bluffing."

[@Cheepchipsable]

Lots of this movie references older films and actors, so Madeline Khan was doing a Marlene Dietrich impersonation, they mentioned Randolph Scott who was a huge star in western films, even a few dialogue gags, for example when John Hillerman is reading his speech for the sheriff he extends, "..a laurel, and hearty handshake..", this can also be heard as "Laurel and Hardy". There was a famous actress called Hedy Lamarr who didn't like her name being used in the film. Cecil B Demille was famous for biblical epics where thousands dies. On a side note, this was the first film with farting in it. Harvey Korman steals this movie IMHO, especially the speech he gives to the "troops".

[@michaelbuhl4250]

I've gone back and looked at some old Marlene Dietrich clips, and Madeline Kahn's parody is actually not too far off.

[@stephenkehl7158]

Harvey Korean deserved that Oscar for best supporting actor

[@mikejankowski6321]

The "Voodoo" bit is an old song.

[@treetopjones737]

Her name ISN'T used in the film, his name is "Hedley."

[@mikejankowski6321]

@@treetopjones737 Well, there IS that lady tourist in the footprints! And the governor...

[@Vadershake]

At the time Blazing Saddles broke a lot of norms for comedies dealing with social issues, history, breaking the 4th wall, not taking it's self seriously et. it opened the door to think of comedy in new ways.

[@chrisleebowers]

Fourth wall breaks pre-date movies. ("The Fourth Wall" is a concept from live stage theater) Looney Tunes, which this movie references a lot, used to do it all the time. However, the bean scene was the first fart joke ever in a Hollywood movie...

[@Serai3]

Not to mention being the first film to feature farts. That just DESTROYED audiences. I still remember the screaming laughter at that scene.

[@ffjsb]

This movie broke worm holes in space...

[@minnesotajones261]

I love how this movie points a finger and laughs AT the bigots... not the other way around.

[@vopy48]

@@Serai3 I have seen long time ago a censored version of the BS (to obtain 12 PG age limit OKly here in Finland), where they censored among other things also that eating beans & farting -scene so that those farting sounds have been muted out - one can see them men raising their butts in the air and all that, but no prrrt! -sounds coming out, Really! Which made it in a way almost more fun than the original, hah! By which that time I had also seen already "normal version" of the movie too (on VHS-video :-) ), so I knew/remembered what was going on & missing from it LOL! Another part I remember censored out from it is the saying in the beginning "...and cattle raped". :-D

[@cajuncraftysue]

No one makes movies so outrageous now. Blazing Saddles is a riot from start to finish!!😂😂😂. So many great comedic actors in this movie too! 😂

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

They said you were hung. And they were right. Cracks me up everytime.

[@maestro80smusic93]

Hedy LeMarr was an actress who later in life helped develope tech that would become Wi-Fi & Bluetooth... Also, the "Guy in Red" was the Colt Peacemaker salesman in Back to the Future III

[@ftumschk]

Lamarr was only in her thirties at the time, and already a movie star. Durint the 2nd World War, she patented a method of jamming the radio signals that controlled torpedoes, which later evolved into what we now know as Bluetooth.

[@3Rayfire]

An actual supergenius, beauty, and great talent.

[@ffjsb]

@@ftumschk Actually, the design was to PREVENT radio controlled torpedoes from being jammed. She along with pianist George Antheil came up with the invention.

[@ftumschk]

@@ffjsb Thanks for the correction. I was working from memory, so I should have double checked :) TBH, my main interest was to point out that she was still young when she - and Antheil - came up with the idea.

[@ffjsb]

@@ftumschk And the biggest thing is that it was just kind of a hobby, she wasn't even trained in engineering.

[@kathyastrom1315]

Alex Karras, who played Mongo, actually became a really funny actor after retiring from the NFL. I really like him in the Julie Andrews musical comedy Victor/Victoria.

[@powerbadpowerbad]

I think he also did a sitcom,I may be mistaken.

[@GeneralZodFDNY77]

@@powerbadpowerbad yes. "Webster" with Emanuel Lewis and his wife Susan Clark. He was also in "Porkys".

[@powerbadpowerbad]

@@GeneralZodFDNY77 Thanks for the info,C Perry,couldn't remember the name of the tv show,didn't know he was in Porkys either.

[@hannahprose]

Victor/Victoria is such a great movie!

[@FaradayBananacage]

I never noticed this before, but the coin behind everything in the title poster says, in front of Mel Brooks's face, "Hi, I'm Mel, Trust Me".

[@marleybob3157]

The funniest story about this movie is that Mel Brooks had complete artistic control so the studio had no say. Still, they sent representatives to tell Brooks they didn't approve of this and that, the language, the choice of actors, the ending, etc.,They rambled on for ten minutes and had pages of notes they insisted Brooks change. Mel thanked them for their input and when the suits left, Mel Brooks crumpled up the notes and threw them in the trash.

[@davidr1050]

21:50 -- George was asking about that location -- It's Vasquez Rocks which have been seen in tons of movies and TV shows over the years.

[@Hexon66]

The tag line is a play on the W.C. Fields film "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break". Similar sentiment to "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man". W.C. Fields was a brilliant comedic actor.

[@melenatorr]

@GoldTopSlinger Totally: but then go and watch him in "David Copperfield", with Freddie Bartholomew, and you'll see a whole other side to him! (And I do recommend that movie).

[@vincegamer]

@GoldTopSlinger I liked "anyone who haces children and animals can't be all bad"

[@kenle2]

When Fields was on his deathbed, friends were surprised to find the notoriously irreverent comedian reading the Bible. When they asked him why hed be doing that at that late date , he said: "I'm looking for loopholes."

[@ChicagoDB]

“Chariots of Fire” is a multiple Oscar-winning cinematic masterpiece…you should definitely watch it…the soundtrack itself was a massive hit.

[@fahooga]

The title is a reference to a popular Anglican hymn based on the poem Jerusalem by William Blake.

[@MikeTaffet]

15:07 This is the first example of fart sounds (aka audible flatulence) being used in a film. This movie basically pioneered the fart joke.

[@stevedavis5704]

I remember when this movie came on TV one of the few things edited out was the fart sounds because it was deemed to objectionable for TV viewing. You just saw a bunch of guys bouncing up and down around a fire. Also Le Petomane is french for little fart and goes back a performer in the late 1800’s whose signature move was to be able to fart at will.

[@eskreskao]

More controversial than the carpet n-bombing at the time of release.

[@gluecement]

@@stevedavis5704 I think they added sound effects of horses madly whinnying, as if the silent farts were disturbing them.

[@Hexon66]

Well, if it didn't pioneer the fart joke, it certainly put wind in its sails.

[@stevedavis5704]

@@gluecement That could be I just remember being surprised when I rented the movie and hearing the fart noises which I hadn’t heard on TV and investigating it. The answer I got was the noises were edited out as being offensive.

[@Scimarad]

'What in the wide, wide world of sports!!' makes me laugh so much:)

[@kathyastrom1315]

As for the chess piece trick, you see Cleavon Little clap his hands around the piece, slide them back just far enough to drop it onto his lap, slide them forward again, then open them up to show that it’s gone.

[@fredklein3829]

Part of that genius is how it created no extra expenses for the production budget. Just good writing and acting.

[@bp-ob8ic]

Along with the things the others have commented, the guy in the blue sweater when the cast ran through the studio gates was just a random tourist who wandered into the scene. His reaction was perfect, so Brooks kept it.

[@glennwisniewski9536]

"Never give a saga an even break" is a take off on the W.C. Fields catchphrase, "Never give a sucker an even break." It later became the title of one of his last films. W.C. Fields was a popular actor/comedian in the 1930s and 40s.

[@CaesiusX]

_"That Voodoo that you do so well"_ comes from the *Cole Porter* song song, _"You Do Something to Me"_ from 1929. *Chariots of Fire* is indeed about the Olympics, George. Well done. Especially for not having seen it, I imagine. It's about two runners during the 1924 Olympics.

[@Semajal]

Always love the contrasting reactions, Mongo punches the horse, George loses it laughing, Simone looks ready to murder anyone who hurts a horse

[@Ray.Norrish]

The delivery of "Teutonic twat!" was great.

[@glennwisniewski9536]

Richard Dix was an actor best known for his Oscar-nominated role in Cimarron (1931). That film, a Western, won an Academy Award for Best Picture. The key Dix lines in BS are "Our fathers came across the prairies, fought Indians, fought drought, fought locusts, fought Dix... remember when Richard Dix came in here and tried to take over this town?" "Fought Dix..." is meant to sound too much like Fort Dix, the U.S. Army post in New Jersey. And Richard Dix trying to take over the town probably references the plot of Cimarron where settlers are racing across the prairie to claim land (in the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889).

[@gluecement]

Madeline Kahn is doing a parody of German actress, Marlene Dietrich, who sang in western films during the 40s and 50s, despite having a strong foreign accent.

[@PaulN504]

Since you mentioned someone getting it confused for a serious western based on the opening theme the guy that sang it didn't know it was a spoof at the time. Mel Brooks advertised for a "Frankie Laine type singer" to sing it and the actual Frankie Laine responded. He sang it seriously and no one had the heart to tell him it was a spoof (the whip cracks were added later).

[@margretrosenberg420]

But I've been told that Frankie Lane took no offense because he'd rather suspected it all along - it was for a Mel Brooks movie, after all.

[@paramitch]

@@margretrosenberg420 Laine definitely didn't suspect at first. He had tears in his eyes when he met Brooks and said, "You've written a really beautiful song."

[@josheldridge8546]

there are so many things i love about this movie -- mel took the live-action cartoon approach with this, and he really pushed the boot in with Bart vs Mongo. The broadcast edit had a couple of extra scenes of Bart setting up Mongo for a few more instances of Bugs Bunny-type nonsense. It was just as much Mel mocking hollywood as it was his mocking westerns (e.g. his playing the yiddish-speaking sioux chief-- 'redfacing' used to be a common practice where italian or jewish people were hired to play native americans), including the big pan-out during the townsfolk wiping out the bandits.

[@epaitech]

Any Mel Brooks movie is Gold. Spaceballs, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, History of the World: Part 1, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Producers, Dracula: Dead and Loving It.

[@MLJ7956]

Also...High Anxiety, Silent Movie, The Twelver Chairs, Life Stinks, To Be Or Not To Be 😉

[@MatthewMortensen1]

@@MLJ7956 Apparently he's finally doing History of the World part 2 for Hulu

[@jamesedwards2483]

Add In LIFE STINKS Too!!

[@Drawkcabi]

Life Stinks is Mel Brooks' most "traditional" or straight forward comedy movie and it turned out pretty mediocre in my opinion. Still good enough to watch, just definitely my least favorite of his movies.

[@theLeftHandedDog]

Spaceballs blows. All of his films have great parts, and incredibly stupid and unfunny parts.

[@garybassin1651]

"DO do that voodoo that you do so well" is a lyric from the song "You Do Something to Me" written by Cole Porter in 1929. The railroad workers in the beginning of the movie sing "I Get a Kick Out of You" also written by Cole Porter. Madeline Kahn's character and accent is a sendup of legendary German actress Marlene Dietrich, who had a Bavarian accent.

[@flarrfan]

If you don't recognize Taggart, you must watch Dr. Strangelove at some point, for the signature Slim Pickens scene, one of the most iconic in cinema history...

[@88wildcat]

They have already reacted to Dr. Strangelove.

[@McPh1741]

My dad said he and my mom saw this in the theater when we lived in South Carolina. He said there was a black guy sitting in the row in front of them laughing his ass off the whole time. Especially at the “It’s true. It’s true.” Scene.

[@martinperry5072]

That's the one racial stereotype that black men aren't fighting against.

[@d3l3tes00n]

@@martinperry5072 Because it's true

[@beatmet2355]

Mel Brooks commented only white people complained about the “N” word. Black people didn’t care. Lol

[@TequilaToothpick]

@@martinperry5072 Some people are actually.

[@Logan_Baron]

@@d3l3tes00n I think you meant "Because its Twue".

[@bigdream_dreambig]

25:26 Salt-N-Pepa?!? 🤦‍♂ No, those are _old_ lyrics from a song called You Do Something to Me, written by Cole Porter for one of his first musicals and first published nearly a century ago in 1929! It has since been re-recorded by MANY artists including Lena Horne, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Sinéad O'Connor, and Bette Midler. Here are the lyrics: You do something to me, Something that simply mystifies me. Tell me, why should it be You got the power to hypnotize me? Let me live 'neath your spell -- Do do that voodoo that you do so well -- 'Cause you do something to me Nobody else could do.

[@kathyastrom1315]

My favorite line: “Just think of your secretary…”

[@NGC6144]

My favorite line is about Kansas City.

[@WAEVOICE]

[Charlie]: They said you was hung. [Bart]: And they was right!

[@APthefirst]

I never noticed it before, but on Mel Brooks head dress on the cover, there is hebrew writing that says "Kosher for Passover"

[@kattahj]

And the coin edge says "Hi, I'm Mel. Trust me."

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

Thanks for the translation. I could tell it was Hebrew, but that's as far as I could go.

[@APthefirst]

@@anthonyleecollins9319 took me a minute, lol. It's been a long time since hebrew school

[@motorcycleboy9000]

Also, the Great Plains Indians spoke perfect New York Yiddish

[@smdias65]

​@@APthefirst Thank you! I just noticed the Hebrew characters too and wondered what it meant.

[@TheTitandog70]

Mongo just pawn in game of Life. One of my favorite quotes of all time and I still use it today random from time to time.

[@TheTitandog70]

@@Rocket1377 yep, that how he got the nick name mongo from blazing saddles. Everyone just said he was like mongo from the movie lol

[@johnortmann3098]

I saw this in the theater when it first came out with a bunch of actual cowboys. We thought it was hilarious, especially the barricade scene. Tom Huddleson plays one of the leading townsmen. He was the "Big Lebowski." You might recognize Slim Pickens from "Dr. Strangelove."

[@jhdix6731]

That would be David Huddleson, I guess you confused him with "Loki" Tom Hiddleston

[@johnortmann3098]

@@jhdix6731 Naa. I should have checked first before spouting off.

[@brom00]

Saddles and Young Frankenstein are two of Mel Brooks best. Along with The Producers, also with Gane Wilder. The two of them together were gold. It's a shame they don't make them like this these days. The one that comes closest with it's humor would be Tropic Thunder.

[@bfdidc6604]

For Brooks, I would suggest The Producers, and also High Anxiety, a great spoof of Alfred Hitchcock’s films.

[@theLeftHandedDog]

I don't like The Producers. I've never watched more than 2 minutes of it, and I still think it stinks. Young Frankenstein is okay, except the character with the mechanical arm. Does anyone really think that's the least bit funny? It's just stupid.

[@brom00]

@@theLeftHandedDogKemp is one of the best things about the film. He is also based on a character in "Son of Frankenstein" I think you just don't care fore Kenneth Mars, who was also in "The Producers". Not exactly the best way to critique, watching two minutes of a nearly two hour film.

[@ptittannique5621]

@GoldTopSlinger To be fair, "uninformed" *is* in their KZbin handle...

[@candicelitrenta8890]

I would also include The Hangover as another comic gem

[@JayM409]

That ridge you noticed is just outside of LA, but not far enough that they need to pay lunches for the crew. It has appeared in Star Trek episodes (the Gorn, and others).

[@jimperry6463]

This and Young Frankenstein came out in 1974. My parents only took me to Young Frankenstein. The TV edit uses some cut scenes, mostly a series of vignettes of Bart trying to subdue Mongo, but there are others. Sadly, they replace the campfire farting with whinnying horses. I also recall one TV broadcast where they even censored the governor saying "Ni". Naming the governor Le Petomane warms my heart.

[@jasonremy1627]

No one gets that reference. To be fair, Le Petomane is really obscure, even in the 1970s I'm sure go one got it.

[@TheDaringPastry1313]

9:09 is the Big Lebowski from The Big Lebowski if you didn't notice. The guy The Dude wants a rug from. 22:56 that instrument is a mouth harp. You put it in your mouth and flick a piece of metal causing it to vibrate. You open and close your mouth to change the sound. 25:25 - That song line is from Frank Sinatra's You Do Something To Me

[@hafeya]

Finally! I love when you guys watch Mel Brooks movies. Makes me sad that no one ever gets the "they said you was hung" joke.

[@timothylockard3846]

Me too! It's hilarious, and hardly anyone ever "gets" it!

[@franksuggs9700]

Yep.... I know right!

[@BCowcorn]

This and Bad News Bears are right up there on the list of films I remember fondly but will absolutely not be showing my kid until well into his adulthood.

[@ariesrcn]

When I served in the Royal Canadian Navy, we watched this movie and my friend nearly knocked himself out when he facepalmed himself during the toll booth scene.

[@jaimem1888]

The thing that got me was Mel Brooks put an ad in the business paper for a "Frankie Laine-type singer". Frankie Laine was like God of western singers at the time, and asking him to do the song was unthinkable. Two days later, Frankie Laine shows up in his office, ready to do the song. He got an Academy Award nomination for the song, and they didn't have the heart to tell him that it was for a comedy western.

[@adamwhite767]

As surreal as you guys think the movie is just to watch, when I was taking my final exam for becoming a paramedic, the lead instructor had this playing in the classroom while we switched back and forth between the written exam and the practical skills. That was a very strange day to say the least, but the instructor's plan to provide some humor and means of relaxing while testing totally worked, everyone passed!

[@Billis75]

21:25 This is Vasquez Rocks just outside Los Angeles. It's famous for being in lots of things, especially the Arena episode of Star Trek: The Original Series. It's easy to get to. Right off the freeway.

[@chadlynch1551]

You guys should give The Frisco Kid a try. It's a Western/comedy staring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford. It's not as well known as this, but I always really enjoyed it.

[@dashalpha]

that's one I always keep an eye out for because I've yet to see it and it isn't on any streaming services (and I'm cheap)

[@Gameflyer001]

It's a movie that feels like it was directed by Mel Brooks, but actually wasn't. It was a Robert Aldrich-directed film.

[@joemahma420]

Fun fact. It has been quoted that Mel Brooks said that the movie wasn’t all about racism. And he actually said that “(Richard) Pryor wrote the Jewish jokes and the Jews wrote the black jokes.” actually rumored, though that Gene Wilder is the one who wrote the black jokes. Little known fact that came out 40 years after the movie, but I think that’s even more genius of the movie.

[@azrielbaz]

The scene where they are all running out of the studio, the gentleman in the blue sweater was just a random guy that wondered into the shot. So his confused look was real.

[@gorramgomer]

"Where was this filmed?" @21:22 - Vasquez Rocks, outside of Los Angeles. Pretty much every alien planet in Star Trek was filmed there.

[@brossjackson]

Some cultural references: The Madeleine Kahn character is basically doing Marlene Dietrich, who was actually in a few westerns. Same basic accent and singing voice. Hedley Lamarr is named after movie actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr. She sued Mel Brooks over it. "Go do that voodoo..." is originally from Cole Porter, so neither this movie nor Salt n Pepa can claim credit.

[@Marky11694]

0:42 1. Blazing Saddles 2. Dracula Dead and Loving It 3. High Anxiety 4. History of The World 5. Life Stinks 6. Robin Hood: Men in Tights 7. Spaceballs 8. The Producers 9. To Be or Not To Be 10. Young Frankenstein

[@Mitheledh]

If I'm not mistaken, they filmed much of this out at Vasquez Rocks. It's actually a very recognizable location used in many movies and TV shows, especially since it's so close to Hollywood. And no, it's not a strip mall. It's still like that today.

[@craigplatel813]

That's where the TV show TMZ gets it name from Twenty Mile Zone. 20 miles is the limit for paying mileage/per diem.

[@Mitheledh]

@@craigplatel813 I used to live fairly close to Vasquez Rocks

[@waynesimpson4081]

Yes it's Vasquez Rocks. It's a preserved L.A. County nature park. The PCT runs though it. Scene in many westerns and a fairly famous Star Trek episode.

[@vincegamer]

@@waynesimpson4081 and bill and Ted's Bogus Journey

[@Mitheledh]

@@waynesimpson4081 The last time I was there, they were filming for some kind of French TV commercial or something.

[@Serai3]

Too many references to count, but some of the best are about old movies: 1) Both Richard Dix and Randolph Scott were early movie stars who specialized in Westerns. Dix played black-hat bad guys ("Remember when Richard Dix came here and tried to take over this town?"), while Scott played white-hat good guys (hats taken off "RAN-DOLPH SCO-O-OTT!") 2) Hedley has to keep correcting people because they think his name is Hedy - Hedy Lamarr was a famous actress of the 30's (whose footprints are indeed enshrined at the Chinese Theater). 3) Madeline Kahn is doing a very precise impression of Marlene Dietrich (another famous actress) in the film "Destry Rides Again". Madeline's work is truly brilliant here. She manages to capture not only Marlene's look, voice, and mannerisms, but most importantly she captures the vague sense of boredom and distaste that was always lurking around Marlene's Hollywood work. She came to America to escape the Nazis, and one always got the impression that she really didn't _want_ to be here, and Madeline grabbed that and ran with it all the way. (Apparently, Marlene saw this film and loved what Madeline did.)

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

High Anxiety is a good Mel Brooks movie that many people miss. You two should check it out. Dracula: Dead and Loving It and Robin Hood: Men in Tights are also worthy Mel Brooks movies.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

Some interesting things about the movie that other people may have mentioned. Richard Pryor was supposed to be cast as Sheriff Bart, but the studios wouldn't back him in the cast given his issues with drugs and being unreliable at the time. Mel Brooks did have him on the writing team for the movie and it was Pryor's idea to use the "N" word so much. Mel Brooks wasn't too sure about it, but Pryor assured him that only the really bad people and the ignorant would say it. You notice at the beginning of the film, when Sheriff Bart came to town, they weren't too welcoming towards him, but at the end they all wanted him to stay and were sad to see him leave. Realistically Bart saved the town from the bad guys and from their own prejudices too.

[@cesarnarro6013]

Cloris Leachman as nurse diesel is hilarious in High Anxiety

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

@@cesarnarro6013 she is! That shower scene it hilarious too!

[@ChrisWake]

Absolutely love High Anxiety. Probably the biggest love letter to Hitchcock on film lol

[@christopherb501]

Any other recommendations?

[@bigdream_dreambig]

22:44 🐕😝🐕 He didn't mean the dog! Before the breed became so well known and took over the meaning of that word, it was an informal word meaning "boxer" -- and, no, NOT the dog breed! 🚫🐶 It was a shortening of "pugilist."

[@theblackboxpodcastshow1791]

They taught the horse to fall like that for that particular stunt, Mongo was actually a former NFL player named Alex Karras, who was very popular at the time as he was a sportscaster, he unfortunately passed away 10/10/2012

[@billbabcock1833]

Mel Brooks said that the I'm Tired song was the dirtiest song he ever wrote. BTW Madeline Kahn was a trained opera singer. So her bad singing was pretty good acting.

[@danielchipman8967]

Finally, you got to Mel’s best movie. One of the greatest comedies ever. Feel free to keep bringing the Mel.

[@beardedgeek973]

An extra point for Brooks riffing on the "dirty white (Polish, Italians, Spanish)" usually playing Native Americans in westerns: His face pain is the pre-nazi German flag: Black, White, Red (nowadays Black, Yellow, Red).

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

"never give a saga an even break" is a play on the old w. c. fields' line "never give a sucker an even break."

[@matthewcompton3448]

The basic idea and plot for 'Young Frankenstein' was pitched by Gene Wilder to Mel Brooks while shooting this movie. It went into production shortly after 'Blazing Saddles' was finished, which is why, I believe, Madeline Kahn is in both movies.

[@treyalsup]

That rock formation is Vasquez Rocks. And its been in tons of movies and TV shows - so much so that they made a joke about it in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

[@HmStH111]

If you ever seen old Trek, it's the place where Kirk fights the Gorn

[@vincegamer]

They used it in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey

[@treyalsup]

@@vincegamer That is a most excellent correction! Party on, dude!!

[@donpietruk1517]

Fun fact: The head dress Brooks wears as the Indian Chieftain is written in Hebrew and translates as "Kosher For Passover".

[@jculver1674]

I was hoping to see their reaction to the line "The Sheriff is near!" Also, the guy who says that line later played the rich Lebowski in The Big Lebowski.

[@flashgordon6238]

The gibberish character Gabby Johnson (Jack Starrett) that sees the sheriff "is a coming" with a telescope played Deputy Sergeant Galt in First Blood. He is the one that shoots at Rambo from the helicopter and falls to his death.

[@Billinois78]

2:55 George, you guessed correctly, kinda. I mean, it turned out they were on the WB studio lot. 👍🏻

[@hbron112]

I'm so happy you reacted to Blazing Saddles! This movie (in the '70s) actually improved race relations because everyone laughed at it! And the pan out to the studios in Burbank was a mind blower for the time. Thank you for helping me remember.

[@samgradyfilm]

Would love a source for Blazing Saddles improving race relations.

[@Little1Cave]

This movie was up for three Oscars, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song for “Blazing Saddles” (the co-writer/performer of the song John Morris didn’t realize it was for a goofy comedy), and Best Supporting Actress for the great Madeline Kahn. ❤️

[@Little1Cave]

@@themoviedealers Oh maybe I got the songwriter confused for the singer. My mistake if that’s the case!

[@IR4TE]

Pls watch Brooks first movie 'The Producers' it's still my favourite.

[@andrewgrossman4982]

100%. It isn’t even close. It was Roger Ebert’s favorite comedy of all time. Mine, too.

[@MWSin1]

The ridge that they're building the railroad at is the Vasquez Rocks. Union rules require studios to pay travel expenses for cast and crew when shooting at any location more than 30 miles from the intersection of Beverly and La Cienega Boulevards. The Vasquez Rocks are very visually interesting and only 25 miles away, so they have been featured in a lot of films and TV shows.

[@carlrs15]

Taggart was played by Slim Pickens, who'd been a very famous actor and rodeo star for over two decades at this point. In addition to Dr. Strangelove, he starred in something like 80-90 total films. And that doesn't even include his television appearances!

[@Hexon66]

Great deaths on screen, too. Riding a nuke in Dr. Strangelove, and gut shot by a stream while Dylan's Knocking on Heaven's Door plays in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

[@Madbandit77]

@@Hexon66 Pickens was a great Sam Peckinpah stock actor (Major Dundee, The Getaway, Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid).

[@allyliddiard7320]

You can see his rodeo background when he gets his horse back under control when it plays up as they draw up to the toll booth.

[@1938superman]

25:34 "That voodoo that you do so well" is a famous line from a Cole Porter song called "You Do Something To Me" from 1929. It was later covered by a lot of famous singers. Lena Horne, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. Salt-N-Pepa didn't do a cover of the actual song, but they quoted that line in their song "Shoop" in 1993.

[@OldRod99]

One of Mel Brooks' movies that's often overlooked is "To Be or Not To Be" - I love that one, and he actually stars in it with his wife

[@Mikey_Sea]

Charles Durning was so good in that one. 👍

[@OldRod99]

@@Mikey_Sea Oh yeah, he was awesome

[@dashalpha]

I'll need to remember that one next time I get HBO Max, seems they have it...

[@PhilBagels]

It's a remake of an older movie. The original doesn't hold up well today, IMO. It's pacing was too slow. There's one funny scene in the original that's not in the Mel Brooks remake, but other than that, Mel's version is better.

[@PuppyMonsters]

"Excuse me. Pardon me. Pardon me. Excuse me"

[@ftumschk]

11:30 "There's always bands in the desert"... indeed, but not all of them are the jazz legend Count Basie and his Orchestra ;)

[@chadbennett7873]

Richard Pryor wrote quite of bit of the racial humor, but the studio wouldn't let him act in it, because he was controversial. He recommended Clevlon Little, who nailed the part. I saw this classic in the theater, with a former girlfriend, and as they showed the beans scene, she turned to me and said ... "Ever notice they always eat beans, but never..." and the both ended up on the floor gasping for breath from laughing so had. I completely missed the following scene. It's fun to watch movies with you two!! Thanks for sharing.

[@gluecement]

I believe Pryor actually wrote most of the Mongo jokes.

[@jasonremy1627]

I think the beans scene from this movie is the first time anyone ever farted on film before... At least in a post-Hayes code movie.

[@chadbennett7873]

@@Caseytify That's too what I was referring. He was risky in their eyes.

[@margretrosenberg420]

The studio couldn't understand why Mel Brooks insisted that the farts be so LOUD, until they screen tested it and the audience was laughing so loudly that the farts were almost impossible to hear.... If you take nothing else away from this movie, take this: If you're ever involved in making a Mel Brooks movie and he insists on something that makes no sense, don't oppose him. Beg him to teach you.

[@christiantidball6121]

Fun Fact: At the end when everyone is running out the man in the blue sweater wandered on to the set by mistake. After resetting and shooting again he came back. They had to track him down and get him to sign a release to avoid shooting the whole thing a third time. Also Richard Dix and Randolph Scott were huge Western actors from the 1930s-1950s. If you see a Western from that era it's a good bet one of them is starring.

[@willracer1jz]

My father in law saw Blazzin Saddle in the theater thinking it was a true spaghetti western movie, let's say he was surprised.

[@THESALMON8TR]

Fun fact: the "you know..... morons" line was improvised by wilder and the laugh was Cleavon Little genuinely breaking character and the director loved it so much it made the final cut!🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍

[@rhettboy1]

Fun fact: Taggart is played by Slim Pickens, who is the guy who rides the bomb at the end of Dr Strangelove.

[@feldegast]

Robin Hood Men in Tights is another must see Mel Brooks film

[@juanaboynkin1196]

Mongo Santa Maria was a Cuban jazz drummer. Mel Brooks put that line in there as a tribute to him.

[@Daveyboy100880]

16:28 The moment where Simone checks out of the movie for a while… in 4K! Fun fact: the guy who says “Blow it out your ass, Howard,” is the same guy who played the other Lebowski in The Big Lebowski.

[@Avocado11]

"Jokes are good" Insight like that is why I watch CingeBinge, for all these years I have railed against jokes only to learn they are good.

[@paulgallacher5384]

Fun fact..Burton Gilliam who played Lyle was so upset at his character that he was holding up production and annoying folk because every time he racially slurred someone he would start apologizing and getting upset and even those on the end of the slurs were like "Cmon, it's just a movie".

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

They came up with the shovel to the head because Slim Pickens said he would only take the role if his character experienced some kind of consequences for his racist attitude.