Mel Brooks Dick Cavett 1970

[@shuffleslunuffle]

I had Mel in my car back in....hummm....1986? He was the Exec.Producer on 'The Fly' ( Jeff Goldblum... There is/was a place on the Gardener Expressway, going in and out, of Toronto. After I picked Mel up, at the airport, we cruised into town. Mel is in the back of the Town car....we hit 'The Humber Hump'! He asks..."what was that?" I said 'The Humber Hump'" Mel asks "do we go past this, again, on the way to the studio?" I said "yes". He asked me to warn him, when we got close, to "The Humber Hump'. As we head back out of town, to the studio, I say "Mel, 30 seconds to 'The Humber Hump'. I hear him unfasten his seat belt. Mel said "Faster Al, faster!" We hit 'The Hump' at 100 kms.......he bounced around, in the back seat, like a kid! And, laughed his head off. We kept that up for the week that he was in town. What a putz! I love him!

[@mrjagriff]

Treasured memories

[@clogwog]

thank you.. that made my day!

[@andymassingham]

Grew up riding the hump...long since fixed therefore less interesting. Great story!

[@CainKerner]

Incredible!! Thank u for sharing lol!

[@douglasmilton2805]

Great anecdote, thanks!

[@billroy565]

I saw blazing saddles in Oregon in 77 and laughed so hard that I embarrassed my cousin. A few years later I was working in a studio in Hollywood and walking down a long hallway on my way to lunch. From a distance I could see Mr Brooks standing outside of the stage where they were dubbing High Anxiety. So I kept walking, looking straight ahead. When I got closer I looked at him and he looked at me with a big smile. I smiled back and nodded my head. He did the same. It was like a handshake without the hands. I'm I glad to have that memory.

[@paulfleury321]

Joni James

[@baberina1]

My brother did that in NY with John Ritter a few years before he died. I can imagine how you felt. So funny.

[@ethanwashoe5868]

Who’s the man sitting to the left of Mel in this interview?

[@youmustbekidding1718]

@@ethanwashoe5868 Rex Reed

[@MrMbws]

​@@ethanwashoe5868 Film critic Rex Reed, who was also in the film as the man who became, "Myra Breckenridge." Written by Gore Vidal.

[@AngusRockford]

Mel Brooks always provides evidence for my my theory that while not all brilliant people are funny, all truly funny people are brilliant.

[@jadezee6316]

this comment is stupid......in fact just a cursory examination of people considered funny have been brilliant.....and it is obvious why....BECAUSE BEING FUNNY IS COMPLETELY SUBJECTIVE

[@fabienh3943]

@@jadezee6316 not

[@CalTxDude]

I like your passion. Essential in life! Sean Rockwell shared his view and theory, Interesting perspective. As did you, we have that unalienable right, pretty cool! I appreciate getting Input and perspective from others because, well... I'm weird like that! LOL I was just curious as to why you feel so strongly in opposition. I'm just always interested in Prospective is because they come from our own unique journey and experiences. Hope you are safe and well. Take care.

[@tarnopol]

There's something to that, for sure. At least geniuses of lateral thinking, if you will. And if you won't, fuck you. :)

[@tarnopol]

@@jadezee6316 It's amazing how the use of caps make your case airtight.

[@RentAmuse]

He never fails to make me laugh. I can't get enough of him. He's a treasure.

[@ChildofGodforevr]

I love this man more than I can ever express. There’s no one like him. He is just amazing, talented, funny and so lovable. One of a kind

[@dl7281]

Yes, and Mel Brooks is pretty entertaining, too. 😎

[@laurapickman9415]

The world is brighter and funnier thanks to Mel.

[@laurelmancini3596]

I sing ‘High Anxiety’ to my husband whenever I want him to laugh and roll his eyes at me.

[@johnwright3815]

When I am asking my wife if she wants something to drink and she continues to say no, I always end with "some Varm milk?"

[@TheEleatic]

Mel Brooks is my personal God. The first film I saw as a child was Blazing Saddles. The laughter in my heart I owe to this single man.

[@kellyhope8004]

what e beautiful tribute.... he definitely IS a genius!

[@youmustbekidding1718]

He was pushing his film "The Twelve Chairs" which is an unsung masterpiece. Try to find it sometime.

[@clydenolet736]

Oh vey he was married for 40 years!

[@porculizador]

some of the best comedies of all time were done by this man... the producers, blazing saddles and young frankenstein are some of the best

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

I dread the thought what the world would be like without Mel Brooks. The man sweats humor!

[@Danimal77]

High Anxiety is one of my favorite movies of all time.

[@Reprodestruxion]

Dan Maler excuse me a second while I whip something out >.>

[@williamsnyder5616]

"If you're late late, you get no fruit cup..."

[@Highlandcoffee1]

When we are moving anything heavy my husband and I always do the ‘I got it ....I got it .....I aint got it ‘ scenario 👍

[@DJRitty]

harvey korman late for dinner is hilarious

[@lucysweeney8347]

The Institute for The Very Very Nervous.Nurse Diesel's side eyes.High Anxiety is Comedy Gold.Every line.Every frame.Iconic.So grateful to Mel Brooks and all concerned for all the endless open hearted , laughter they have given to the world.

[@SB-hc1nt]

Mel Brooks my favorite comedy to this day is Blazing Saddles especially Harvey Kormen's speech right before they get ready to sack Rock Ridge. He is still around and the world is better for it. Great interview.

[@monkeyb1820]

Rex Reed is actually being really polite and respectful. On some of these old Cavett shows, the other guest has a huge ego and feels compelled to interject and try to steal the limelight. Rex is content to watch Mel and Dick do their thing. Class act by Rex.

[@kevinshaughnessy2528]

The history of the world needs comedy. And comedy needs Mel Brooks

[@johnf120]

Mel Brooks didn’t just make funny movies, he’s always been naturally funny off-the-cuff. He’s got a comedian’s mind.

[@69nisi]

Mel Brooks...thank you for all the laughter!!!

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

Richard Alva Cavett (/ˈkævɪt/; born November 19, 1936) is an American television personality and former talk show host. He appeared regularly on nationally broadcast television in the United States for five decades, from the 1960s through the 2000s.

[@jayzrat]

Truly one of the most funniest and wittiest men ever. I doubt that he could not pass up telling a joke or say something funny in a normal conversation.

[@deandrake3396]

Mel Brooks is a complete comedy genius ! 😀

[@lchaney]

7:43 Mel Brooks: "4 commercials in a station break, that's dreadful, I mean really that's terrible" Everyone: Cheers Me: *Cries in 2022*

[@maccyd53]

Read these comments...Mel brings out the love in absolutely everybody.

[@blackbird5634]

How about the gentleman's dignity and kindness, the class and style and the generosity of this fine and funny man?

[@Harp4803]

This man was 44 years old. During this interview. In 1970. Now he’s 95. I wish I can have the same longevity that Mel Brooks has have had. But I won’t have the money to live. Or have family/friends at a similar age.

[@andrewwilliams9599]

"There was nothing to do--Tito had the car all weekend." ROFL

[@catlucky9815]

Love Mel Brooks. He looks like a cross between Paul Simon and Richard Dreyfuss.

[@robertfreedman6651]

And this interview was before BLAZING SADDLES AND YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.

[@AngusRockford]

I wasn't quite born yet when this show was taped, yet I yearn for those days. American network television had some semblance of culture and class then.

[@boppob1343]

lol you didn't watch late night television back then if you think it had class just because they all wore suits and slicked back hair

[@dantheman5745]

I was mostly born when this show was taped, and I'll 2nd your sentiment about those days.

[@funstuff2006]

@@boppob1343 Sure, but Cavett went to Yale, and his show wasn't just softball questions like we get on most of the current late-nite shows. Cavett had interesting - sometimes uncomfortable - conversations with all kinds of people.

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

Melvin James Kaminsky (Nueva York; 28 de junio de 1926), más conocido como Mel Brooks, es un guionista, actor, director y productor de cine estadounidense, especializado en el género de comedia.

[@shara-la8629]

What a MAN!!! I totally adore him and as an ex Yugoslavian - I am in stitches. :)))

[@bobjohnson1633]

It's funny how every Yugoslavian claims to be ex Yugoslavian.

[@treborob]

Brilliant man!

[@josephcutrona1456]

I would have loved to seen Mel Brooks perform with Robin Williams...non stop laughter..

[@jimwright2795]

Check out Robin with Jonathan Winters.

[@dagnytaggart5955]

The genius between masterpieces.

[@deandrake3396]

Blazing Saddles is the funniest film ever made !!!! 😀

[@joedellaselva1251]

Raising Arizona?

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Anne Bancroft would never have had a dull moment in her life whenever she was with this man.

[@neilforbes416]

I saw "Blazing Saddles" for the first time in 1974 at a cinema theatre in Newcastle, Australia. I was one of only two people in the theatre for the screening at the time. The movie was hilarious but the only reason for the auditorium being empty-bar-two people was the reputation of the theatre owners, Theo and Margaret Goumas in the Newcastle region as NOT being nice people. The theatre was called the "Lyrique",originally it was the "Lyric" when in its heyday in the 1920s-to-1940s or so. It stood unused until about 1972 when reopened by the Goumases. Had "Blazing Saddles" been shown at The Strand, The Kensington, The Roma, The Royal, or the then-new Tower Cinema Complex(three in one), the auditoria would've been packed. Several of the theatres named are gone nowthough there's talk of reopening he Tower Cinemas.

[@baberina1]

I used to live Mel Brooks ALOT, so funny, the funniest, until I saw Sid Caesar. Never goin back, Sid is, was and will always be #1.

[@barefeetdude1]

baberina1 - ‘live’, or ‘love’,....??? Lol !!!

[@YouzTube99]

@baberina1 Actually, Mel (and, FWIW, I) would agree with you. He's obviously very funny but as a performer Caesar was in league of his own. I have never been able to find a vid of it, but David Susskind dedicated an entire program to a reunion of Caesar and a few of his original writers -- Reiner and Brooks for sure and I cannot reliably recall a couple more. At the time, the careers of all of the writers were ascending but Caesar's was in the doldrums. Susskind encouraged them to interact and tell stories and they responded enthusiastically. Caesar laughed along, letting them have the spotlight but whenever he did speak, they went silent and gave him their full attention. They still regarded him with respect and, it seemed, a kind of awe. You may want to read his autobiography, 'Where Have I Been'.

[@almahperditae]

At some point, Sid had in his writing team Mel Brooks and Woody Allen. I can't even imagine how did someone had writing to him THE two best american comedians of all time. Well... Somehow i have to put Groucho Marx in the mix. I don't know where to put him with these two. But it don't take anything from Sid. Those two guys are unbelieveble.

[@deanpd3402]

He smoked and he is still with us!

[@ZulcanPrime]

The Producers was retitled Springtime For Hitler during the 1970s on the Australian tv channel. I remember watching the movie at a friend's place because we didn't have a tv set at my home. I loved his movie Spaceballs.

[@Larkinchance]

Of course I love Mel Brooks and he makes a prophetic comment.. Mel Brooks complains about there being 4 commercials on a station break... Today they regularly have 13 or 14 commercials and we pay for the cable! No wonder people are leaving cable TV in droves! (next time, count 'em.)

[@Tmanaz480]

"I think we should explain that to Iowa"... LOL.

[@fob1xxl]

PURE COMIC GENIUS !

[@monkeyb1820]

did Cavett invent the host chair that's 6" higher than the guest? Letterman was big into that too.

[@RosieHarp]

Jonathan Ross in the UK likes to loom over his guests too. It's horrible

[@CalTxDude]

Mel Brooks makes Dick Cavett giggle like no one else I've ever seen! It's actually rather sweet. "Spectacularly Gentle" I believe is how Mel describes Dick!! Love it!!

[@mwilliamshs]

*Spectacular gentile*

[@D3R3LICTRECORDS]

He's so open and accommodating.

[@jdanderson915]

GREAT ALL 3 THESE GUYS STILL ROCKING AND ROLLING!

[@elsizzle2000]

Who's the 3rd one?

[@DavidFrancis24824]

a goddamn genius! i love this man

[@mxplk]

@19:20 Great impression of Frank Sinatra. Who woulda thunk that Brooks could do Sinatra? 😃

[@barefeetdude1]

mxplk thunk ??? Lol !!!

[@youmustbekidding1718]

See High Anxiety...

[@besserman1]

He does a great impersonation of Sinatra in High Anxiety

[@davegreene8588]

Brooks does Sinatra better than Sinatra!

[@lucysweeney8347]

@@davegreene8588I could not agree with you more.You nailed it! Thank you for that.

[@jollyjack5856]

Wow, I like Dick Cavett the best! Better than Johnny Carson I mean.

[@funnyjacoby]

Agreed

[@lindas.martin2806]

Very different people, very different shows, great at what they do and definitely different.

[@jonkirkwood469]

I wish the current crop of late-night show hosts would watch and appreciate the interview talents of Cavett, Carson, WFB, Jr., Paar, Marx; then retire.

[@breakingbalm3809]

I wonder if Andy Kaufman ever saw this and was inspired by Mel Brooks literally doing 1000 faces . I remember the bit Andy did singing 100 bottles of beer until he actually got to 100 only to start again and see how many audience members would stick it out. Thinking it was classic Andy Kaufman is maybe a bit of Mel Brooks.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Anyone who thinks they know even a little about movies of that era should recognize the other guest as famed critic and reviewer Rex Reed.

[@BigAL68xyz]

I thought he looked familiar, but man! Rex was just a baby back then.

[@patrickhart2483]

I was on the subway with him a couple months ago. Much more pleasant than you’d think. He had just seen Oklahoma and hated it lol

[@matthewcooper3535]

And at least hat time he was an actor also

[@kevinriddell2105]

@@matthewcooper3535 In one of the worst movies of all time. Myra Breckinridge with Mae West

[@chuckselvage3157]

Legend

[@sofiadougherty6430]

Brilliant!

[@stephencrockford3218]

A truly great comedian who's still alive at +90 years old

[@TRIChuckles]

Mel Brooks. Wow!

[@stormbringer_7774]

Brooks is thee, legend!😂🙌☘

[@TitoTimTravels]

I am assuming that the Yugoslavia movie was The 12 Chairs? That was one of my favorite movies!

[@AvengerII]

19:50 -- Wow, he's doing his own "Rocket Man," complete with smoking the cigarette! He did it before Shatner, even!

[@BrianKishreviews]

it seems like an old-timey approach he's parodying rather than something he invented

[@jpsned]

I thought the exact same thing!

[@Gator1699]

Tuff. Times its gone now.Funny Days l miss them.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

I think they had Yugoslavian sound crew, you could see the microphones.

[@zeldasmith6154]

Rex Reed was so handsome.

[@woodyjagla328]

,,,, very, very good !!!!!!

[@brucearmacost8598]

In 1970 if you were one year over forty you looked like a 65 year old man in 2019.

[@christeuma]

Which, I'd say, is pretty good for 90.

[@stumccabe]

Nonsense - if you saw someone of 41 they looked 41. It wasn't the Middle Ages. I was there and people haven't changed.

[@kimosabbe50]

@@stumccabe Disagree. I "was there" too.

[@garyproffitt5941]

Fantastic Mel Brooks and amazing Jewish festival with loads of laughs and remember the Movie Space Ball's.

[@depaola63]

Mel was 44 here !!

[@richardknights2436]

The best president the US never had. He is a genius.

[@wighto73]

funnier man than I thought. Groucho was the funny man till the 60s. Mel was the funny man of the 70s

[@jorhay1]

Damn genius. Real shit.

[@gearienoxcuses3936]

Frank Angela’s 1st film. It’s great to hear about great actor’s in their early days of acting.

[@youmustbekidding1718]

Langella

[@dogchaser520]

"4 commercials in a station break... That's terrible." Yes. Yes it is.

[@ckbuco]

OMG, Rex Reed! Now he really looks young.

[@lorianderson-musgrave3609]

I would love Dick Cavett and Mel Brooks to reprise this interview, so Mel could ask him why he made him work so hard.

[@stacyblue1980]

m.c. short for mental case hehehehe! Love Mel

[@jchow5966]

💟

[@hbgstorm]

Spaceballs my favorite 🤣

[@shazamshazamshazam696]

Mel Brooks has made me laugh more than any other entertainment person. Monty Python is a close second.

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Not to be pedantic, but Monty Python is a comedy troupe, not a person.

[@shazamshazamshazam696]

@@fifthbusiness1678 Yes, That Is why I mentioned them in a separate sentence.

[@sclogse1]

The band was a bit too good for his America The Beautiful by Sinatra...really good. A little rehearsal goes a long way..

[@suziemills2201]

Genius

[@RosieHarp]

He may not be a handsome man but he makes up for it in charisma, intelligence and wit

[@RezSkel]

you may have no charisma, intelligence or wit but at least you're handsome

[@RosieHarp]

@@RezSkel eh?

[@howardkoor2796]

What a riot!

[@vladtepes7539]

thank god for the cavett.

[@denisesaunders3067]

Mel is 95 this year.

[@mesielein]

er ist so toll!

[@koen8185]

A lot of toll !

[@Joeri20cm]

8:51 best part

[@blankleadcruisinmissknots4582]

20 minutes commercials in 12$ movie theater inferior to original 3 cents and 5 cents theaters...

[@yacovlk7924]

I like the way The Jews poke fun from horrendous tragedies. I think many others could benefit from this way.

[@ColossusRhodes]

"Four commercials in a station break. That's dreadful." Now, people watch the Super Bowl especially for the commercials!

[@fabienh3943]

If you beat them long enough, they'll swallow whatever you serve them in the end. Just watch tv and listen to the radio today. Years of mind numbing paying off 😳

[@larrybd100]

Good & bad. Loved the Sinatra thing. Never thought the 2000 Year-Old-Man was funny.

[@pleasequietdown8946]

That was painful. They forced him to do bits the whole time. He was so done with it by the end. It's really a shame they didn't have a real talk, he would have been much funnier

[@stephpyrzynski]

9:44 Starts talking about filming in Yugoslavia 🇷🇸.

[@hawktchr8]

Mel Brooks is what Robin Williams wanted to be. But Mel Brooks didn’t have issues that made him manic like Williams. I feel as if we laughed “at” Williams - who was hysterical - more than with him or because of what he said. Brooks is so bloody clever. He’s in his forties here and smoking and is now 97? He must have stopped at some point. Regardless, he’s so brilliantly funny and calm. Intelligent.

[@RobinSchoutenRS]

Do you have the Dick Cavett Show from 1970 with Sam Peckinpah and Stella Stevens as guests? They were interviewed about The Ballad of Cable Hogue.

[@marktosh3739]

They brought him on with "Springtime for Hitler !"

[@howardkoor2796]

Mel, he funny

[@dogchaser520]

"Ah, it's beer."

[@MatsThyWit]

Dick was great with the right interview subject, but he might be the only interviewer that could make Mel Brooks boring.

[@julianwaugh968]

My girlfriend at the time shared a love of young Frankenstein. In a phone conversation with her I was ripping into Mel as a anti semite, hypocritical and a bad actor. Some confusion as I meant Mel Gibson, not the brilliant Mel Brooks. He had a Monty Python aspect to him.

[@mandalayfilmclub]

Talk shows today are a legit embarrassment compared to shows like Cavett

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

Who's the other cat on the end, is he country guy or magician or both?

[@dalebaker9109]

Very funny man, but was he ever young?

[@edaudio]

Comedy has kept him young! Not bad for a 2000 year old man!