The "stinking badges" quote originated in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", though the actual line is slightly different there. IIRC, the "morons" speech was improvised by Gene Wilder, so Cleavon Little's reaction was genuine. That just makes it funnier.
Correct on both: that was absolutely a Gene Wilder adlib. And also: Treasure of the Sierra Madre is an *incredible* movie. Arguably the best non-Casablanca movie of Bogart's career. (Why yes, I *do* think Casablanca is the greatest movie ever made.)
Not long after this movie came out, and EVERYONE was quoting that line, the Univ of Wisconsin mascot (a live badger) was "kidnapped" by the opposing team before one of the football games. The coach was heard to say "Badger? We don't need no stinking Badger!"
@Mary Richardson Believe it or not, the first known recorded "parody" of the "stinking badges" line was in a 1967 episode of The Monkees. That episode (It's a Nice Place to Visit) had several gags that later showed up in Blazing Saddles. Coincidence? I've always wondered.
Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein both came out in 1974. Two of the funniest movies of all time, and Mel knocked out both of them in under a year. His best year, by far.
@@ClayLoomis1958 Awesome! Yeah all I’ve ever seen from it that I recall is a scene where he and the monster are singing “Puttin’ on the Ritz”. Cracked me up.
Interviewer talking to Mel Brooks " People say that you couldn't make a film like Blazing Saddles today" Mel Brooks answered "They told us we couldn't make it back in '74 , but we did!"
I was probably 12 when Blazing Saddles came out and because it was rated R I had to talk my mom into taking me to see it. One of my fondest memories is how hard we both laughed at the movie together. It started a tradition where we saw all the Mel Brooks movies of the 70s together. In later years, when people interviewed Brooks and told him that Blazing Saddles couldn't be made today, he always replied, "We couldn't make it then!" After a screening for executives, the studio was going to cancel the release. Brooks scheduled a screening for the rank and file studio workers who of course loved it, and that convinced the studio to a very limited release (LA, NYC and Chicago). It was so popular they agreed to a slightly wider release, again and again until it was released everywhere. The key to the movie is that all of people who are racist are portrayed as either just plain stupid (all the villains) or ignorant (the townsfolk, who learn otherwise and become better). The movie is beloved not just because it is a hilarious parody of Westerns, but also because it is an effective parody of racism.
This. Brooks also said they lied a lot to the studios in order to get it made. It's important to remember that the Civil Rights act was a VERY recent memory at the time, and parodying the people who were against its passing/resistant to desegregation was something Brooks really wanted to do.
@Dave Stebbins Thanks so much for sharing this! My absolute favorite thing about doing this RUclips channel is getting to hear personal stories just like this. Thank you again. :)
I recently got to meet Burton Gilliam (“Lyle”, the red-shirted railroad foreman). REALLY great & nice guy! (Wish I could share the pics here!) He has the great honor and distinction to be the first actor to portray a fart in a feature film! 😆
Oddly enough when I first saw this on tv one of the few things that was edited out because of it’s offensive nature was the sound of the farts. You just saw a group of guys sitting around a fire bouncing up and down.
''High Anxiety'' (1977) is also an hilarious Mel Brooks movie, a parody on Alfred Hitchcock movies, also with Madeline Kahn and Cloris Leachman (another favorite of mine) who is incredible as ''Nurse Diesel''.
No, the line was given in this movie also comes from this movie. The line in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" movie with Bogart is, "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!"
I'm glad you caught the "1 Flavor" joke, it worked a lot better at the time. Another gem is "a laurel and hardy handshake", referencing the classic comedy duo of Laurel and Hardy. The line "Mongo, Santamria" references Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria, a Cuban percussionist and bandleader, popular in the 1960s. Have you two watched Harvey yet? Another classic comedy from 1950.
"A laurel and hardy handshake" HAHAHAHA dammit I am mad at myself for missing that one! I wouldn't have known the Mongo Santamaria reference though, so thank you, Jeff!
"We don't need no stinking badges" comes from a Humphrey Bogart movie called Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Also, Le Petomane is French for "Fart maniac", and comes from an acutal French performer whose act involved farting on stage.
Haha Blazing Saddles is one of my favorite comedies of all time. Mel Brooks is a genius and his sense of satire is unparalleled hahaha glad you guys enjoyed it.
@@DavidvsFilm Mel Brooks was very good at hidden gems in his movies. I've seen this at least 100 times and still find small things hidden away. It was something he picked up from Alfred Hitchcock.
1. Mel Brooks played the Governor, the Indian Chief and one of the thug roundup. 2. Mel Brooks doesn't just break the 4th wall he shatters, steps on and grinds it into the ground. 3. The preacher/Liam Dunn also plays in "Young Frankenstein" as Mr. Hilltop. Madeline Kahn also had a role in it. 4. Imagine how much fun this was to make.🤣🤣🤣🤣 5. The line, "You know morons" was ad lib by Wilder. Little's reaction was real. 6. The guy that was supposed to play Jim showed up the first day drunk so he was let go. Wilder agreed to do this movie for Mel Brooks only if Mel would direct "Young Frankenstein" for him. 7. Richard Pryor was supposed to play Bart, but he was going through his addictions at the time, and they thought it wouldn't be a good idea. However, he did some of the writing. 8. Jim still has his popcorn from the theater. Movie suggestion "Young Frankenstein" with Gene Wilder
Thank you so much, William! We LOVE behind the scenes info and trivia, so this is great. Young Frankenstein is absolutely on the list, probably closer to Sept/Oct. this year.
There was only one line that was cut in the whole movie. When Lilly Asked if Bart's people are "Gifted." and said, "It's Twoo, it's Twoo." Bart was supposed to reply, "Ma'am, that's my arm."
Thank you, @theduckthief!! I didn't imagine it was this, but you never know. I have heard that title, but didn't know it was a Bogie film. Thanks for the recommendation
@@DavidvsFilm All three are gems. There are some nods to Blazing Saddles in Robin Hood MIT but I'd watch Prince of Thieves before since it's what it mainly parodies. Young Frankenstein is amazing.
I remember watching this movie I couldn't stop laughing about Mongo punching the horse. I couldn't stop laughing and I was shock at the same time. I love me some Mel Brooks movies.
Totally!!! That is exactly the right reaction. Shock and laughter. Pretty much a recurring theme throughout the whole move hahaha. I definitely want to watch more of Mel.
If you recognize Slim Pickens, have you've seen him in an earlier. satirical movie? The one I saw was Dr. Strangelove. It had a lot of stars as it's about a nuclear crisis between US and USSR.
Oh no, even better- from the cult classic "The Howling". I remember him in that movie, and when I saw his name in the credits for Blazing Saddles, even though he looked different, I recognized his voice right away. Dr. Strangelove is a movie that I honestly would love to watch. I know very little about it except that it's Kubrick and it's iconic.
When everyone poured out of the studio onto the street, there was a guy wearing a sweater. He refused to leave the area, so they just left him in the shot even though he wasn't an actor in the movie
Ok first I love your RUclips profile picture- perfect for your handle lol. And that's interesting! I saw the newer WW series on HBO, but I never saw the original. Yul Brynner in that one, right?
@@DavidvsFilm : Yes! That was indeed ( the late, ) great Yul Brynner in 'Westworld' ( the 1973 film version, ) along with Richard Benjamin and James Brolin. Interestingly - this was an early original screenplay writing / film directing effort by ( the late, ) famed novelist, and sometimes filmmaker, Michael Crichton [ of writing the novels "The Andromeda Strain" ( 1969, ) "The Great Train Robbery" ( 1975, ) "Congo" ( 1980, ) "Jurassic Park" ( 1990, ) "Rising Sun" ( 1992, ) "Disclosure" ( 1994, ) and many more fame. ] ( All the listed above Crichton novels have been adapted into films, probably most famously "Jurassic Park." )
@@DavidvsFilm : You're welcome. The 1973 film version of 'Westworld' is definitely worth checking out. That was the earliest example, in film, of the use of the term "computer virus." Also the earliest use in a film of pixalated images to represent an android's point of view.
@@DavidvsFilm Fun fact, they have a throwback to the original character in the basement in the new series! I forget which episode it is, but you can see him in the background in full garb! ❤
Thanks Randy, I thought so! I mean he obviously looks about the same given that this wasn't that much earlier than Magnum, but the voice and character demeanor are so different, I almost doubted it for a minute.
At the beginning of the movie, even as a little kid I was like like, "If Bart is so smart why wasn't he holding onto that handcart when Taggart lassoed it? Beats all hell out of trying to find the rail with your foot, lol.
Intentional or not I don’t know, but you can see the confusion on Cleavon Little’s face when the lasso ropes the cart. Like, wait, what, did that really happen.
When the guy was saying, "You brute, you brute, you vicious brute!" is my favorite part. And the guy standing there is just like "Alright, let it out." 😆🤦🏽♀️ Hilarious!
Another part of that scene is where there is a Dancer and a Bad Guy fighting and they go behind the waterfall .... When the come out the other side they are hugging and the Cowboy says "I'm parked over by the Commisary".
@James Alexander That was funny too! 😆 Every time I see that, I'm like "Well that was fast! Also, the "Where da white women at?" part was pretty funny lol
When watching this movie in the cinema in the 70s, we could never ever have imagined that in the future it would be a subject of discussion, and that people would say: "This could never be made today." As a society today we are going down a steep decline with our freedom of expression. I hope that history keeps moving in waves and we will return to more sanity.
"Hey, where the white women at?" Insanely brilliant comedy that everyone needs to watch at least once. 😎 👍 Fun 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.
Fun Fact reply: That is really funny. It made for an amazing scene, and such a great exit for the character that otherwise would have been harder to write. Plus, original. Music Enthusiast Fact reply: I love that! And I'm glad he was a good sport about it. Maybe he was very astute and realized that 49 years later someone would learn his name because of this movie :) Unwanted Extra Fact reply: That guy would be me today lol
Fun fact: Mel Brooks wanted Richard Pryor for the role of Bart. Warner Bros turned him down due to his comedy style at the time. Mel did the next best thing he could think of, he made Richard one of the writers on the picture. Some theaters back in the day had this movie in a double feature with Young Frankenstein.
I am glad it was not Pryor in that part. He was funny in his way but he would not have carried it off like this guy did. Besides this man is soooooo handsome
Great reaction guys. And ya know, you asked could you imagine someone seeing this. Fun fact, at 24:44, the man on the street corner wasn’t supposed to be there. The street was supposed to be closed but he wondered into the shot. They had to track him down and have him sign to be included in the film.
My favorite "joke" in the movie is when John Hillerman (Yes, he played Higgins in the original Magnum PI) wanted to offer a Laurel & Hardy handshake to the new Sherrif.
@@DavidvsFilm it’s raw in a way. The remakes are too polished and left out some of the more edgy jokes. Jean Wilder in one of his first movies paired with Zero Mostel. Classic
@@DavidvsFilm When the Guy started singing "It's Springtime for Hitler" I had an Asthma Attack. I saw it when it first premiered. A bunch of High School Buds went and we laughed till we cried!
Make sure you do Robin Hood men in tights it's a movie that picks on Robin Hood prince of thieves, also Men in Tights was written by a dentist in L.A. it's a Mel Brooks Flim too!
One of the greatest films ever! Effing hilarious plus a powerful message about the stupidity of racism and prejudice and it being defeated in the end….
I love Madeline Kahn (one of my favorite female comedians and actresses), she was also great in ''Paper Moon'' (1973) with Ryan & Tatum O'Neal. And indeed that's John Hillerman (''Higgins'' from ''Magnum P.I.'') who also appears in ''Paper Moon''. Btw, Madeline was also in the quite underrated (one of the episodes, was one of the funniest I'd ever seen on tv) Bill Cosby (! lol) series ''Cosby'' (1996-2000), it was, if I'm right, her last acting work in a tv show or movie...
Another unappreciated gem is What's Up, Doc?, one of the best slapstick movies ever made. She had a marvelous singing voice. It takes talent to sing that badly on purpose.
Madeline Kahn made her movie debut in What's Up, Doc? co-starring with Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. This picture is in my top five of all-time best comedies. Barbara Streisand is hilarious. Also, Harvey is a must see. James Stewart is incredible. And the Marx Brothers were comic genius. Duck Soup a nd A Night at the Opera are both well worth watching.
@@jackbrooks5487 ''What's Up, Doc?'' came out in the year I was born, 1972. I saw it on tv in the early 1980s, haven't seen it since, but I was in love with Barbara Streisand in that movie.
actor that played Mongo was Alex Karrass who was a pro football player in the NFL in the 60 and 70's era for the Detroit Lions, he was a Defensive Tackle.
This movie was previewed by the NAACP and the Urban League of Los Angeles. When the line boss said "n*****r work song", the audience gasped. After "I get no kick from Champaign", they broke into hysterical laughter, and laughed the whole movie.
Mel Brooks fought to get it made. He said he couldn't cut the language, he said it had to be in there. He even had to fight for the fart scene. Luckily he stood his ground.
Great reactions guys. I think my favourite line is the actor playing Hitler talking in the canteen just before the fight when he casually says they lose me at the bunker scene. I'm sure you'd love Young Frankenstein if you haven't see it, another Mel Brooks classic.
The guy who played Mongo is ex-NFL player Alex Karras. You should see him in the movie *Victor Victoria* with Julie Andrews and James Garner. He was also in a tv show called Webster. Randolph Scott was huge old time western star. Hedley Lamar was a name rip off of another star named Hedy Lamar. Lily Von Schtupp is channeling Greta Garbo. There are a lot of old Hollywood greats referenced in this movie.
Thanks, toodlescae!! I did NOT know he was in Victor/Victoria! I haven't seen that movie, but I know about it. I definitely recognized him as the dad "George" in Webster. I used to love that show when I was a kid, and I totally wanted the house they moved into with its secret passageways :) I originally had the bit with Randolph Scott in my first edit, and RUclips flagged it (too much from one scene). I decided to keep the "Equal Opportunity Employer" joke and cut the Randolph Scott part, but that was a tough choice.
Hedy Lamarr sued, and they settled out of court. The joke early in the film about suing her was just a joke, and had no connection to the actual lawsuit she filed.
Hedy Lamar was not only a beautiful and talented actress, she was a genius inventor. She designed a torpedo guidance system that worked like a player piano to rotate frequencies so the enemy couldn’t jam the signal. Her patent became the theorical basis for Bluetooth and GPS systems. But remember, “This is 1874. You can sue her!”
The 70's were the greatest decade in film, and i say that having grown up in the late 80s and early 90's. It was just after the end of the Hayes Code, and before the rise of studios hyper-concerned with focus groups, franchises, nostalgia and corporate filmmaking. Writers, directors and producers were largely free to express themselves how they wanted without too much interference from the studios. Films were raw, and all special effects were practical.
Thanks so much, @Trekkie Junk! I like the way you contextualized this period in film. I have to say that I have enjoyed the ones I've seen (obviously including this one), and I want to watch more. :)
Much of the outdoor action was filmed at Vasquez Rocks north of Los Angeles. The rocks jutting up at a steep angle is the giveaway, and this location has been used in many productions, including "The Flintstones" an episode of "Star Trek," and many others.
The animal Mongo rides into town on is a Brahma bull, which can weigh up to 2000 lbs. I remember a few weeks after seeing this movie with my parents in "74", there was an old semi truck on the interstate and it had faded "Yes n No" on the back trailer. Pass on the "Yes" side and don't pass on the "No" side. I was like......OHHHHHH, that's what it meant. BAhahaha I cracked up.
"But we don't want the Irish". Hide your cup, hide your cup lololol lmao the whole time but when you said that I actually had to stop and type this 😆 I'm drinking too😉
The back story of this movie should be a movie itself, from how it was wrote to how it was cast to the person just standing on the sidewalk when they escape the lot
I LOVED Cleavon Little. I know people say this all the time, but I truly can't imagine anyone else playing that role. Even Richard Pryor, whom I love and understand was the first choice.
I am German, I watched the original Version in english decades ago, and the special thing for Germans is, that Mel was as a soldier stationed in Germany and spoke German, now he used German words in this movie, but in moments you did not expected this at all, that was part of the fun. We had to laugh without break the whole movie, Mel Brooks was a master for fun and real silly and surreal films.
Reactors tend not to know about ABC's Wide World of Sports. It was a popular American sports anthology TV program hosted by Jim McKay that aired on ABC from April 29, 1961 to January 3, 1998, primarily on Saturday afternoons.
Hey Glenn! Glad you commented on this soI could ask you. Ok so I know about the program WWWoS, but I don’t get the connection to this scene? Is it just funny because it’s out of context? Referencing a current show in the 1870s West? Or is there something else I’m missing?
@@DavidvsFilm Hi David. "What in the wide, wide world of sports is a-goin' on here?" is merely a spoof of the expression, "What in the world is going on here?" And, yes, it is another anachronism, or something chronologically out of place. Also (this may be a stretch), maybe Taggart thinks those cowboys jumping up and down is some whacky new competitive sport.
At the end of Jaws, where Roy Scheider says, "Smile you son of a bi--!": As I understand it, not completing that sentence was the final compromise in the release edit and the ultimate difference between a PG and an R rating. Adult language and sexual content are a much bigger deal to American ratings than violence or horror.
At 96 Mel brooks the oldest living cast member along with 84-year-old Burton Gilliam (Lyle the dim-witted henchmen) and Mel Brooks busty secretary Robyn Hilton at 82. Also, the soft-spoken school marm was portrayed by Carol Arthur the real life wife of the late Dom DeLuise.
So I know him from reruns of the Carol Burnett Show. I agree that he is the best choice for this role (he has perfected the "sneer" voice). My favorite "That's HEDLEY" is when he tossed it at the tourists at Mann's Chinese Theater.
@@BlackavarWD Oh, trust- I saw. I did finally watch the special, this Christmas actually, but it was only on my Patreon. It was something! Lol. Incidentally I LOVE Cinema Rules. Great guys.
I laughed so hard at "Blazing Saddles" the first time I saw it (1974) that my sides hurt for a couple of days. I also recommend 'Young Frankenstein" and "The Producers". Mel Brooks is a genius.
That's a Brahma bull that Mongo (played by NFL great Alex Karras) is riding. Developed in America during the early 1800s, it was exported to many countries, and is now the most numerous breed of cattle in Australia. (News you can use, there.)
And in terms of breaking the fourth wall - which happens all the time in this movie - when the sheriff is riding into Rock Ridge the first time, with the first reveal of the Gucci saddlebags, etc, and the big band jazz soundtrack is playing... And we see that it's actually Count Basie leading his orchestra live while playing their signature tune "April in Paris", in the dessert, and the Count high fives Sheriff Bart as he rides by! Such a great anti-racism and anti-intolerance movie!
A fun reaction, as usual. I remember reading many, many years ago that Mel Brooks said that he hated westerns, in particular he despised the cliches and the (erroneous) myths that they perpetuated, hence the whole sequence in the last act with the fake town and populace, the backlot etc. He intended to expose the artifice. I would recommend ‘The Producers’, an early film but one of the few of his that isn’t a parody. Not many people on RUclips react to it. You’d get more out of ‘Young Frankenstein’ if you were familiar with both of the James Whale Frankenstein films.
@@sirhilarybraybaronet3152 Thank you so much! You know I love a good backstory, so I certainly appreciate you sharing that about the inspiration for both the movie itself and the ending. I really would like to see The Producers because I’ve heard good things about it. Young Frankenstein will be popping up here in the channel this Halloween season. :)
@@DavidvsFilm it about gold miners in mexico all searching for their piece of land /gold...also has the famous quote ..could you spare a buck for an american down on his luck ...it it used several times in the movie....
Thank you, Scarletta!!! And yes! He really liked this one. I got the laugh out of him with Blazing Saddles and I got a tear out of him for next week's- Shawshank Redemption. All the feels!
"we don't need no stinking badges" is from "the treasure of the siera madre" (1949) starring humphry bogart. one of the best films ever made directed by john huston. bogart, tim holt and huston's dad, walter huston deliver some of the best acting of their careers. its about a trio of expatriot american prospectors in mexico who are approached by a gang of mexican bandits passing themselves off as federal troops. when bogart demands to see their badges their leader gets mad and says "badges? we doin't need no stinking badges."
When I first watched this movie as a kid, my favorite scene was always the fart scene. I thought that was the funniest thing ever! I still quote, "Candy-Gram for Mongo" when I'm bringing stuff to my parents. I've collected so many eye rolls over the years... 😂
Went to the drive in with a car full of friends. Laughed our asses off of course. Second feature was Saturday Night Fever. We thought we would stay and make fun of it. Still couldn’t handle it so we left. Lol.
Some of the cowboy actors in the film were hired by Mel Brooks because they are actually stars of many classic westerns. The opening song is sung by Frankie Laine (known for singing cowboy/western songs on stage and in film), who was not warned about the films' content until after he was cast to sing. Anyone familiar with the western film genre will get the humor behind the casting of these legendary actors. The "Randolph Scott" reference is a nod to the famous actor who was the lead actor of many westerns from the 1930's through the 1960's. Actress Madeleine Kahn is doing a parody of German actress Marlene Dietrich, who starred in a western with Jimmy Stewart.
Not to change the subject, but Airplane was almost a scene-by-scene parody of Zero Hour. Just go on youtube and type in ""Side-by-side" comparison: Zero Hour! (1957) Vs Airplane! (1980)." Airplane makes a lot more sense after seeing that.
Never worry about changing the subject, John! It's always a free for all over here lol. And I appreciate the suggestion- I will show this to Marc. (I like how even the titles are similar with the melodramatic exclamation marks, btw)
Mel Brooks' genius is in the way he approached racism in a way that was creatively funny. He took all of its tropes and stereotypes, stuffed them in a blender and hit "frappe."
I enjoyed your review. The reason no one gets the movie Airplane is because it is a spoof of the 1970 movie "Airport" a disaster film with Dean Martin. It was a really popular film at the time. You need to watch it to get Airplane and it's a good movie.
Airplane! was actually a parody of the 1957 drama Zero Hour!. I highly recommend watching Zero Hour! before watching Airplane!, it makes Airplane! even more hilarious.
Carrying the layers of comedy for the movie Governor LePetomane was named for a french traveling comedian from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. He was called a flatulist or a person who could make fart sounds at will during his act. He was called Le Pe’tomane on stage. This makes the governor’s name translate from french to basically be “little fart”. Richard Pryor helped write the script and was supposed to play the role of the sheriff but the studio was afraid of the controversy surrounding him and changed their mind. I wonder what the movie would have been like if he had played the role. Him and Gene had two or three other movies that they did together and they made a really good comedy team.
Thanks so much, Steve! I remember watching See No Evil, Hear No Evil starring both of them when I was a kid and thinking it was hilarious. Pryor's standup that I've seen was great too. Honestly though, I just can't imagine anyone but Cleavon Little in this role.
The "you know, morons" line wasn't in the script, Cleavon Littles laugh is genuine. Also, towards the end when they all run from the studio into the street there's a guy on the sidewalk (blue shirt) who was asked to move for shooting, he refused so production continued. I'd have loved to see his reaction close up 😂
"Blazing Saddles": Mel Brooks did to the Hollywood Western what he'd done to Adolf Hitler with "The Producers" (1967). ruclips.net/video/HPXHRX8Q2hs/видео.html Well now, young RUclipsrs who kept the "colorful metaphors." 6:44 In Larry McMurtry's book, "The Last Picture Show." one night, drunk high school football players went out for some "Midnight Heifer Action." 13:04 Movie history being made! 21:57 Can you imagine a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western titled "A Shitload of Dimes"? (Out of Dollars.;) 25:56 Not enough horsepower to "ride off into the sunset."
That was not t a stunt horse. Actually it was the only horse in the movie that wasn't a stunt horse. That horse just happened to be wandering by the lot and saw a sign for 'extras casting' ;)
I think Mel Brooks' movies, for the most part, develop characters and have character arcs. Maybe you feel more invested in that. Gene Wilder did a handful of movies with Richard Pryor (who co-wrote this film with Brooks). Not that you asked, but my personal favorite of these is See No Evil, Hear No Evil. Maybe you'll check that out. Enjoyable reaction. All the best.
Gene Wilder was in two Mel Brooks movies. The Producers and Young Frankenstein. Madeline Kahn, Dom Delouise. and Harvey Korman were also in multiple Mel Brooks movies.
I've been with thousands of men, again and again...and as my husband Ron would say to me, "Slut!" Can I help it I'm sociable? Loved seeing you and Marc watch and enjoy this movie. I believe I saw at least 3 times when it was first released in theaters; I went with someone who hadn't seen it each time for the new experience! I'd like to suggest you both watch another western comedy classic, Cat Ballou, from 1965. Somewhat similar plot, starring Jane Fonda, Lee Marvin (in an Oscar winning role), cutey Michael Callan, plus a couple more cutey patooties. Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye Provide a "Greek Chorus" to the action by singing the Ballad of Cat Ballou throughout the movie. So take my suggestion or tell me to go pound salt...your channel, your choice. 😉
Hahaha why Blanche Devereaux, when did you get here? lol. Thanks for putting Cat Ballou on my radar! Never heard of it, but I checked it out and it looks great. Thanks again Frank
Hahaha hey I bet it doesn't feel like that long ago though! I am now at that age where I have started to enjoy watch nostalgic videos about the time period when I was a kid, I gripe about the price of groceries, and I get angry at bad service in restaurants lol.
“Is it twue what they say….. it’s twue! It’s twue!” Lmao. Richard Pryor contributed to the writing of this screen play. Mel brooks movies are by far the most hysterical movies! Bit ofI trivia… only one scene was cut to please the studio… during the “it’s twue” scene in the dark, The sheriff says “I’m sorry to disappoint you Miss Lily, but that’s my arm you’re (blanking)”
The "stinking badges" quote originated in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", though the actual line is slightly different there. IIRC, the "morons" speech was improvised by Gene Wilder, so Cleavon Little's reaction was genuine. That just makes it funnier.
Ahhhh gotcha, thanks @montego2! And yeah, that laugh definitely looked genuine.
Correct on both: that was absolutely a Gene Wilder adlib. And also: Treasure of the Sierra Madre is an *incredible* movie. Arguably the best non-Casablanca movie of Bogart's career. (Why yes, I *do* think Casablanca is the greatest movie ever made.)
@@JeffKelly03 Oh, Bogey is great in that. And let's not forget The Maltese Falcon...
Not long after this movie came out, and EVERYONE was quoting that line, the Univ of Wisconsin mascot (a live badger) was "kidnapped" by the opposing team before one of the football games. The coach was heard to say "Badger? We don't need no stinking Badger!"
@Mary Richardson Believe it or not, the first known recorded "parody" of the "stinking badges" line was in a 1967 episode of The Monkees. That episode (It's a Nice Place to Visit) had several gags that later showed up in Blazing Saddles. Coincidence? I've always wondered.
Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein both came out in 1974. Two of the funniest movies of all time, and Mel knocked out both of them in under a year. His best year, by far.
Thanks, Clay! I am 100% doing Young Frankenstein for the channel. Gonna save that one until Halloween time, I think.
@@DavidvsFilm It's great. You'll see a couple of faces from B.S. in Y.F. too.
@@ClayLoomis1958 Awesome! Yeah all I’ve ever seen from it that I recall is a scene where he and the monster are singing “Puttin’ on the Ritz”. Cracked me up.
You also got to give the Late Great Richard Pryor credit for writing most of this movie too!
Young Frankenstein was a project Gene Wilder developed. He agreed to do Blazing Saddles if Brooks would direct it.
Interviewer talking to Mel Brooks
" People say that you couldn't make a film like Blazing Saddles today"
Mel Brooks answered
"They told us we couldn't make it back in '74 , but we did!"
I was probably 12 when Blazing Saddles came out and because it was rated R I had to talk my mom into taking me to see it. One of my fondest memories is how hard we both laughed at the movie together. It started a tradition where we saw all the Mel Brooks movies of the 70s together. In later years, when people interviewed Brooks and told him that Blazing Saddles couldn't be made today, he always replied, "We couldn't make it then!" After a screening for executives, the studio was going to cancel the release. Brooks scheduled a screening for the rank and file studio workers who of course loved it, and that convinced the studio to a very limited release (LA, NYC and Chicago). It was so popular they agreed to a slightly wider release, again and again until it was released everywhere. The key to the movie is that all of people who are racist are portrayed as either just plain stupid (all the villains) or ignorant (the townsfolk, who learn otherwise and become better). The movie is beloved not just because it is a hilarious parody of Westerns, but also because it is an effective parody of racism.
This. Brooks also said they lied a lot to the studios in order to get it made. It's important to remember that the Civil Rights act was a VERY recent memory at the time, and parodying the people who were against its passing/resistant to desegregation was something Brooks really wanted to do.
i mean there is a reason why it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry
Not knocking them but these young guys don't have the context of all the old westerns we baby boomers watched.
@Dave Stebbins Thanks so much for sharing this! My absolute favorite thing about doing this RUclips channel is getting to hear personal stories just like this. Thank you again. :)
The cowboys singing Camptown Races while the black guys laugh is genius.
They say this never could be produced today, but Mell Brooks said "We couldn't make it back then either but we did it anyway."
This was the first movie that ever showed anyone passing gas, so Mel Brooks carried it way past normal.
Well he blew it out.
I recently got to meet Burton Gilliam (“Lyle”, the red-shirted railroad foreman). REALLY great & nice guy! (Wish I could share the pics here!) He has the great honor and distinction to be the first actor to portray a fart in a feature film! 😆
@@EPShockley Hahaha
Oddly enough when I first saw this on tv one of the few things that was edited out because of it’s offensive nature was the sound of the farts. You just saw a group of guys sitting around a fire bouncing up and down.
@@stevedavis5704 TV edits are just bizarre sometimes.
“The best and craziest satire on racism ever” should’ve been a disclaimer you were given lol
Hahaha. right??
Marc with the foreshadowing, with the Irish coffee: “We don’t want the Irish!”
11:00 first time I noticed the entire council are Johnsons! 🤣
Yes! hahaha
Yes, the actor playing Howard Johnson also played Higgins in the original Magnum P.I.
Yes! Mr Johnson played Higgins on Magnum P. I.!! He had two Dobermans named Zeus and Apollo if I’m not mistaken. I used to love that show!! ❤
The character of Lily was inspired by German singer Marline Detrich. She did rolls like that in old westerns.
''High Anxiety'' (1977) is also an hilarious Mel Brooks movie, a parody on Alfred Hitchcock movies, also with Madeline Kahn and Cloris Leachman (another favorite of mine) who is incredible as ''Nurse Diesel''.
Hey Peter!! Yeah, someone else just mentioned that movie, and I've never heard of it. Now that you back it up, I must give it a look :)
The Mad Beeper!
"We don't need no stinking badges" actually comes from a Humphrey Bogart film called Treasure of the Sierra Madre...
Thanks, Jerry!! Haven't seen it, but I appreciate the info my friend.
@@DavidvsFilm It's a Major Classic! John Houston directed his Father to an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Walter Houston!
Boris was in Robin Hood: Men In Tights
I love how that line was used in the movie 'Gotcha.' The 'Stinking Badges' line is a gift that keeps on giving.
No, the line was given in this movie also comes from this movie. The line in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" movie with Bogart is, "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!"
I'm glad you caught the "1 Flavor" joke, it worked a lot better at the time. Another gem is "a laurel and hardy handshake", referencing the classic comedy duo of Laurel and Hardy. The line "Mongo, Santamria" references Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria, a Cuban percussionist and bandleader, popular in the 1960s. Have you two watched Harvey yet? Another classic comedy from 1950.
"A laurel and hardy handshake" HAHAHAHA dammit I am mad at myself for missing that one! I wouldn't have known the Mongo Santamaria reference though, so thank you, Jeff!
If you're going to send these kids into black and white absurdist cinema comedy, start them right, with Duck Soup, from 1933.
I don’t know Duck Soup, so now I’m intrigued.. And I meant to tell you Jeff that I have not seen Harvey, no, but I’m familiar. :)
@@DavidvsFilm It's a Marx Brothers film. Those boys were doing absurdist comedy a LONG time ago. Still holds up.
@@DavidvsFilm Duck Soup is a must see - the Marx Brothers are amazing.
"We don't need no stinking badges" comes from a Humphrey Bogart movie called Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Also, Le Petomane is French for "Fart maniac", and comes from an acutal French performer whose act involved farting on stage.
Haha Blazing Saddles is one of my favorite comedies of all time. Mel Brooks is a genius and his sense of satire is unparalleled hahaha glad you guys enjoyed it.
It was awesome. There are so many movies to watch, but especially since I know Marc now is 2/2 on successfully enjoying Mel Brooks, more Mel to come!
@@DavidvsFilm haha yay! It was so funny seeing Marc initially unsure whether to laugh or not 🤣
Glad to see that you guys enjoyed this movie so much. Mel Brooks is one of a kind
Thanks, Tomcat's Lair!! It was so great. And you are right that we both loved it- added bonus when it's a consensus! :)
One of the gags almost everyone misses is the simulated Van Gogh wedding portrait in Hedley's office where the couple has their backs to the artist.
Grant Wood, I think. American Gothic, but from the back.
Thanks, James! I saw that, but I didn't get it. I've seen American Gothic with the man and his daughter, but I didn't make the connection ;)
@@DavidvsFilm Mel Brooks was very good at hidden gems in his movies. I've seen this at least 100 times and still find small things hidden away. It was something he picked up from Alfred Hitchcock.
1. Mel Brooks played the Governor, the Indian Chief and one of the thug roundup.
2. Mel Brooks doesn't just break the 4th wall he shatters, steps on and grinds it into the ground.
3. The preacher/Liam Dunn also plays in "Young Frankenstein" as Mr. Hilltop. Madeline Kahn also had a role in it.
4. Imagine how much fun this was to make.🤣🤣🤣🤣
5. The line, "You know morons" was ad lib by Wilder. Little's reaction was real.
6. The guy that was supposed to play Jim showed up the first day drunk so he was let go.
Wilder agreed to do this movie for Mel Brooks only if Mel would direct "Young Frankenstein" for him.
7. Richard Pryor was supposed to play Bart, but he was going through his addictions at the time, and they thought it wouldn't be a good idea. However, he did some of the writing.
8. Jim still has his popcorn from the theater.
Movie suggestion "Young Frankenstein" with Gene Wilder
Thank you so much, William! We LOVE behind the scenes info and trivia, so this is great. Young Frankenstein is absolutely on the list, probably closer to Sept/Oct. this year.
There was only one line that was cut in the whole movie. When Lilly Asked if Bart's people are "Gifted." and said, "It's Twoo, it's Twoo." Bart was supposed to reply, "Ma'am, that's my arm."
Too Much Schnitzengruben
20:48 "And now for my next impression: Jesse Owens!"
"We don't need no stinkin' badges" comes from Treasure of the Sierra Madre starring Humphrey Bogart. Would recommend!
Thank you, @theduckthief!! I didn't imagine it was this, but you never know. I have heard that title, but didn't know it was a Bogie film. Thanks for the recommendation
Oh so glad you mention that - I always wondered about its origin.
Finally some Mel Brooks!! Can't wait for Dracula: Dead and Loving It!
Yes!!!! Keep reminding me on that one if I forget please!
@@DavidvsFilm That one and Robin Hood: Men in Tights are among my favorites.
@@derrickowen8162 Yep I want to see that one too. These I haven’t seen, and I know Marc hasn’t either. Do you like Young Frankenstein?
@@DavidvsFilm All three are gems. There are some nods to Blazing Saddles in Robin Hood MIT but I'd watch Prince of Thieves before since it's what it mainly parodies. Young Frankenstein is amazing.
@@DavidvsFilm Young Frankenstein is a gem. Nik makes a good point as well. Watch Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves first. It will be more beneficial.
I remember watching this movie I couldn't stop laughing about Mongo punching the horse. I couldn't stop laughing and I was shock at the same time. I love me some Mel Brooks movies.
Totally!!! That is exactly the right reaction. Shock and laughter. Pretty much a recurring theme throughout the whole move hahaha. I definitely want to watch more of Mel.
And yes, it was a specially trained stunt horse. ;)
@@Caseytify Yes! You can see the Stunt Rider just make a little tug on the reins!
If you recognize Slim Pickens, have you've seen him in an earlier. satirical movie? The one I saw was Dr. Strangelove. It had a lot of stars as it's about a nuclear crisis between US and USSR.
Oh no, even better- from the cult classic "The Howling". I remember him in that movie, and when I saw his name in the credits for Blazing Saddles, even though he looked different, I recognized his voice right away. Dr. Strangelove is a movie that I honestly would love to watch. I know very little about it except that it's Kubrick and it's iconic.
@@DavidvsFilm It's Staggeringly Funny .... It has one of the most quoted lines in Movie History! Please don't give it away folks!
"Finch better have my money!" 😹😹😹
When everyone poured out of the studio onto the street, there was a guy wearing a sweater. He refused to leave the area, so they just left him in the shot even though he wasn't an actor in the movie
Running back to rewatch now.. lol
But they did get him to sign a release.
@@regould221 I heard Mel paid him Scale!
The reason the set was so good was because it was actually made for the 1973 futuristic western "Westworld."
Ok first I love your RUclips profile picture- perfect for your handle lol. And that's interesting! I saw the newer WW series on HBO, but I never saw the original. Yul Brynner in that one, right?
@@DavidvsFilm : Yes! That was indeed ( the late, ) great Yul Brynner in 'Westworld' ( the 1973 film version, ) along with Richard Benjamin and James Brolin.
Interestingly - this was an early original screenplay writing / film directing effort by ( the late, ) famed novelist, and sometimes filmmaker, Michael Crichton [ of writing the novels "The Andromeda Strain" ( 1969, ) "The Great Train Robbery" ( 1975, ) "Congo" ( 1980, ) "Jurassic Park" ( 1990, ) "Rising Sun" ( 1992, ) "Disclosure" ( 1994, ) and many more fame. ]
( All the listed above Crichton novels have been adapted into films, probably most famously "Jurassic Park." )
@@robertc.1958 Thanks Robert!! Really appreciate it.
@@DavidvsFilm : You're welcome.
The 1973 film version of 'Westworld' is definitely worth checking out. That was the earliest example, in film, of the use of the term "computer virus." Also the earliest use in a film of pixalated images to represent an android's point of view.
@@DavidvsFilm Fun fact, they have a throwback to the original character in the basement in the new series! I forget which episode it is, but you can see him in the background in full garb! ❤
Great reaction! Also, that WAS Higgins from Magnum P.I.
Thanks Mike! He just sounded so different.
"Is that the guy from Magnum P.I.?" Yep, that's him... good eye!
Thanks Randy, I thought so! I mean he obviously looks about the same given that this wasn't that much earlier than Magnum, but the voice and character demeanor are so different, I almost doubted it for a minute.
At the beginning of the movie, even as a little kid I was like like, "If Bart is so smart why wasn't he holding onto that handcart when Taggart lassoed it? Beats all hell out of trying to find the rail with your foot, lol.
Intentional or not I don’t know, but you can see the confusion on Cleavon Little’s face when the lasso ropes the cart. Like, wait, what, did that really happen.
When the guy was saying, "You brute, you brute, you vicious brute!" is my favorite part. And the guy standing there is just like "Alright, let it out." 😆🤦🏽♀️ Hilarious!
Another part of that scene is where there is a Dancer and a Bad Guy fighting and they go behind the waterfall .... When the come out the other side they are hugging and the Cowboy says "I'm parked over by the Commisary".
@James Alexander That was funny too! 😆 Every time I see that, I'm like "Well that was fast! Also, the "Where da white women at?" part was pretty funny lol
When watching this movie in the cinema in the 70s, we could never ever have imagined that in the future it would be a subject of discussion, and that people would say: "This could never be made today." As a society today we are going down a steep decline with our freedom of expression. I hope that history keeps moving in waves and we will return to more sanity.
Mel Brooks in movies and Norman Lear on tv, pushing the limits and creating commentary about social issues that we thought would be behind us by now.
Love Norman Lear also :)
"Hey, where the white women at?"
Insanely brilliant comedy that everyone needs to watch at least once. 😎 👍
Fun 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.
Fun Fact reply: That is really funny. It made for an amazing scene, and such a great exit for the character that otherwise would have been harder to write. Plus, original.
Music Enthusiast Fact reply: I love that! And I'm glad he was a good sport about it. Maybe he was very astute and realized that 49 years later someone would learn his name because of this movie :)
Unwanted Extra Fact reply: That guy would be me today lol
As always, my eternal pleasure.
Go in Peace and Walk with God. 😎 👍
@@BigGator5 👍❤️
Fun fact: Mel Brooks wanted Richard Pryor for the role of Bart. Warner Bros turned him down due to his comedy style at the time. Mel did the next best thing he could think of, he made Richard one of the writers on the picture. Some theaters back in the day had this movie in a double feature with Young Frankenstein.
I am glad it was not Pryor in that part. He was funny in his way but he would not have carried it off like this guy did. Besides this man is soooooo handsome
19:21 Yes, that is the late John Hillerman, who played Higgins on the original Magnum PI in the 80s.
Great reaction guys. And ya know, you asked could you imagine someone seeing this. Fun fact, at 24:44, the man on the street corner wasn’t supposed to be there. The street was supposed to be closed but he wondered into the shot. They had to track him down and have him sign to be included in the film.
My favorite "joke" in the movie is when John Hillerman (Yes, he played Higgins in the original Magnum PI) wanted to offer a Laurel & Hardy handshake to the new Sherrif.
Omg, the producers! Yes yes. Mel Brooks first film and still my favorite
Why do you like that one in particular?
@@DavidvsFilm it’s raw in a way. The remakes are too polished and left out some of the more edgy jokes. Jean Wilder in one of his first movies paired with Zero Mostel. Classic
@@DavidvsFilm When the Guy started singing "It's Springtime for Hitler" I had an Asthma Attack. I saw it when it first premiered. A bunch of High School Buds went and we laughed till we cried!
@@jamesalexander5623 for me it was the concierge and the boids
Make sure you do Robin Hood men in tights it's a movie that picks on Robin Hood prince of thieves, also Men in Tights was written by a dentist in L.A. it's a Mel Brooks Flim too!
Thanks, Jason!
One of the greatest films ever! Effing hilarious plus a powerful message about the stupidity of racism and prejudice and it being defeated in the end….
I love Madeline Kahn (one of my favorite female comedians and actresses), she was also great in ''Paper Moon'' (1973) with Ryan & Tatum O'Neal. And indeed that's John Hillerman (''Higgins'' from ''Magnum P.I.'') who also appears in ''Paper Moon''. Btw, Madeline was also in the quite underrated (one of the episodes, was one of the funniest I'd ever seen on tv) Bill Cosby (! lol) series ''Cosby'' (1996-2000), it was, if I'm right, her last acting work in a tv show or movie...
I LOVE her. My first experience with seeing her in a film was Clue. I remember her in Cosby, actually. Gone too soon :(
Another unappreciated gem is What's Up, Doc?, one of the best slapstick movies ever made.
She had a marvelous singing voice. It takes talent to sing that badly on purpose.
Madeline Kahn made her movie debut in What's Up, Doc? co-starring with Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. This picture is in my top five of all-time best comedies. Barbara Streisand is hilarious.
Also, Harvey is a must see. James Stewart is incredible. And the Marx Brothers were comic genius. Duck Soup a
nd A Night at the Opera are both well worth watching.
@@jackbrooks5487 ''What's Up, Doc?'' came out in the year I was born, 1972. I saw it on tv in the early 1980s, haven't seen it since, but I was in love with Barbara Streisand in that movie.
@@peterengelen2794 I fell in love with Barbara in that movie too.
actor that played Mongo was Alex Karrass who was a pro football player in the NFL in the 60 and 70's era for the Detroit Lions, he was a Defensive Tackle.
Badges we don't need no stinkin' badges was from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre made in 1948. Mel Brooks was making fun of that scene
This movie was previewed by the NAACP and the Urban League of Los Angeles. When the line boss said "n*****r work song", the audience gasped. After "I get no kick from Champaign", they broke into hysterical laughter, and laughed the whole movie.
Mel Brooks fought to get it made. He said he couldn't cut the language, he said it had to be in there. He even had to fight for the fart scene. Luckily he stood his ground.
I remember when they tried to show this on network tv. Aside from all the other editing they had to do, the beans scene was edited to all burping.
Great reactions guys. I think my favourite line is the actor playing Hitler talking in the canteen just before the fight when he casually says they lose me at the bunker scene. I'm sure you'd love Young Frankenstein if you haven't see it, another Mel Brooks classic.
When asked , Brooks said "Not only we couldn't make this film today , we couldn't make it BACK THEN !!!!
Hahaha I like that. Perfect response.
Y'all are the first I've seen to catch that the Natives were speaking Yiddish.
Ha, really? That was hilarious. Mel Brooks is a genius.
"We don't need no stinking badges." is an iconic line from John Huston's movie " Treasure of the Sierra Madre" with Humphrey Bogart.
The guy who played Mongo is ex-NFL player Alex Karras. You should see him in the movie *Victor Victoria* with Julie Andrews and James Garner. He was also in a tv show called Webster.
Randolph Scott was huge old time western star. Hedley Lamar was a name rip off of another star named Hedy Lamar. Lily Von Schtupp is channeling Greta Garbo. There are a lot of old Hollywood greats referenced in this movie.
Thanks, toodlescae!! I did NOT know he was in Victor/Victoria! I haven't seen that movie, but I know about it. I definitely recognized him as the dad "George" in Webster. I used to love that show when I was a kid, and I totally wanted the house they moved into with its secret passageways :)
I originally had the bit with Randolph Scott in my first edit, and RUclips flagged it (too much from one scene). I decided to keep the "Equal Opportunity Employer" joke and cut the Randolph Scott part, but that was a tough choice.
@@DavidvsFilm Victor Victoria is hilarious and I think you'll love it despite some of the dated attitudes portrayed in it.
@@toodlescae I’d be hard-pressed not to like anything with Julie Andrews, regardless :)
Hedy Lamarr sued, and they settled out of court. The joke early in the film about suing her was just a joke, and had no connection to the actual lawsuit she filed.
Hedy Lamar was not only a beautiful and talented actress, she was a genius inventor. She designed a torpedo guidance system that worked like a player piano to rotate frequencies so the enemy couldn’t jam the signal. Her patent became the theorical basis for Bluetooth and GPS systems.
But remember, “This is 1874. You can sue her!”
The 70's were the greatest decade in film, and i say that having grown up in the late 80s and early 90's. It was just after the end of the Hayes Code, and before the rise of studios hyper-concerned with focus groups, franchises, nostalgia and corporate filmmaking. Writers, directors and producers were largely free to express themselves how they wanted without too much interference from the studios. Films were raw, and all special effects were practical.
Thanks so much, @Trekkie Junk! I like the way you contextualized this period in film. I have to say that I have enjoyed the ones I've seen (obviously including this one), and I want to watch more. :)
The guy that hired to do the opening theme was not told that it was a comedy. He thought he was doing a serious western.
Much of the outdoor action was filmed at Vasquez Rocks north of Los Angeles. The rocks jutting up at a steep angle is the giveaway, and this location has been used in many productions, including "The Flintstones" an episode of "Star Trek," and many others.
Thank you, @45communicator! This is exactly the info we were looking for. :)
The animal Mongo rides into town on is a Brahma bull, which can weigh up to 2000 lbs.
I remember a few weeks after seeing this movie with my parents in "74", there was an old semi truck on the interstate and it had faded "Yes n No" on the back trailer. Pass on the "Yes" side and don't pass on the "No" side.
I was like......OHHHHHH, that's what it meant. BAhahaha I cracked up.
It was a neutered bull (also called an ox) because a regular bull would have killed him.
Oh boys, how I've hoped you'd do this one. A work of absolute genius.
I particularly enjoyed the synchronized drinking.
Richard Pryor wrote this with Mel. He was supposed to play Bart. But the studio couldn't get anyone to insure him and he was to much of a risk.
"But we don't want the Irish". Hide your cup, hide your cup lololol lmao the whole time but when you said that I actually had to stop and type this 😆 I'm drinking too😉
The back story of this movie should be a movie itself, from how it was wrote to how it was cast to the person just standing on the sidewalk when they escape the lot
My absolute favorite take down of racist idiocy. Cleavon Little is absolutely fantastic.
I LOVED Cleavon Little. I know people say this all the time, but I truly can't imagine anyone else playing that role. Even Richard Pryor, whom I love and understand was the first choice.
The man who played MONGO, Mr Alex Karris, played in the NFL, & was very feared in the late 60s for his prowess.
I am German, I watched the original Version in english decades ago, and the special thing for Germans is, that Mel was as a soldier stationed in Germany and spoke German, now he used German words in this movie, but in moments you did not expected this at all, that was part of the fun. We had to laugh without break the whole movie, Mel Brooks was a master for fun and real silly and surreal films.
Reactors tend not to know about ABC's Wide World of Sports. It was a popular American sports anthology TV program hosted by Jim McKay that aired on ABC from April 29, 1961 to January 3, 1998, primarily on Saturday afternoons.
Hey Glenn! Glad you commented on this soI could ask you. Ok so I know about the program WWWoS, but I don’t get the connection to this scene? Is it just funny because it’s out of context? Referencing a current show in the 1870s West? Or is there something else I’m missing?
@@DavidvsFilm Hi David. "What in the wide, wide world of sports is a-goin' on here?" is merely a spoof of the expression, "What in the world is going on here?" And, yes, it is another anachronism, or something chronologically out of place. Also (this may be a stretch), maybe Taggart thinks those cowboys jumping up and down is some whacky new competitive sport.
@@glennwisniewski9536 Ahhh gotcha. Thanks Glenn! Doesn’t sound like too much of a stretch to me- I like it. Makes sense.
At the end of Jaws, where Roy Scheider says, "Smile you son of a bi--!": As I understand it, not completing that sentence was the final compromise in the release edit and the ultimate difference between a PG and an R rating. Adult language and sexual content are a much bigger deal to American ratings than violence or horror.
Oh really?? Wow. Thanks, Will, I love this kind of trivia.
"Mongo works out!" Yup. NFL Hall of Famer.
At 96 Mel brooks the oldest living cast member along with 84-year-old Burton Gilliam (Lyle the dim-witted henchmen) and Mel Brooks busty secretary Robyn Hilton at 82. Also, the soft-spoken school marm was portrayed by Carol Arthur the real life wife of the late Dom DeLuise.
We don't need No Stinking Badges, was also used by a company called Baird's Badges. They sold police badges, patches and other collectables.
Harvey Korman is just PERFECT as Hedy (...that's HEDLEY...) Lamar. EVERYTIME I see this film, he just cracks me up more than anyone else.
So I know him from reruns of the Carol Burnett Show. I agree that he is the best choice for this role (he has perfected the "sneer" voice). My favorite "That's HEDLEY" is when he tossed it at the tourists at Mann's Chinese Theater.
@@DavidvsFilm YES! He was over it at that point. I really enjoy you both and your reactions so thanks for being so much fun. Take care.
@@shwicaz Thanks so much sir!
@@BlackavarWD Oh, trust- I saw. I did finally watch the special, this Christmas actually, but it was only on my Patreon. It was something! Lol. Incidentally I LOVE Cinema Rules. Great guys.
I laughed so hard at "Blazing Saddles" the first time I saw it (1974) that my sides hurt for a couple of days. I also recommend 'Young Frankenstein" and "The Producers". Mel Brooks is a genius.
Thanks Steven! I can confirm Young Frankenstein for sure this Halloween season. How could I not?
That's a Brahma bull that Mongo (played by NFL great Alex Karras) is riding. Developed in America during the early 1800s, it was exported to many countries, and is now the most numerous breed of cattle in Australia. (News you can use, there.)
Never seen this! I have to watch in full! 😂😂😂
Uh, YEAH you do! It's irreverent and hilarious and great. Very Western- both Hemisphere and literally lol
And in terms of breaking the fourth wall - which happens all the time in this movie - when the sheriff is riding into Rock Ridge the first time, with the first reveal of the Gucci saddlebags, etc, and the big band jazz soundtrack is playing... And we see that it's actually Count Basie leading his orchestra live while playing their signature tune "April in Paris", in the dessert, and the Count high fives Sheriff Bart as he rides by!
Such a great anti-racism and anti-intolerance movie!
Yes!! So so good. I love that kind of stuff.
treasure of the sierra madre ..is where no badges comes from ............great movie too..cheers
Ahhh thanks John!! I've heard of that one I believe, now that you mention it. What is it about?
A fun reaction, as usual. I remember reading many, many years ago that Mel Brooks said that he hated westerns, in particular he despised the cliches and the (erroneous) myths that they perpetuated, hence the whole sequence in the last act with the fake town and populace, the backlot etc. He intended to expose the artifice. I would recommend ‘The Producers’, an early film but one of the few of his that isn’t a parody. Not many people on RUclips react to it. You’d get more out of ‘Young Frankenstein’ if you were familiar with both of the James Whale Frankenstein films.
@@sirhilarybraybaronet3152 Thank you so much! You know I love a good backstory, so I certainly appreciate you sharing that about the inspiration for both the movie itself and the ending. I really would like to see The Producers because I’ve heard good things about it. Young Frankenstein will be popping up here in the channel this Halloween season. :)
@@DavidvsFilm it about gold miners in mexico all searching for their piece of land /gold...also has the famous quote ..could you spare a buck for an american down on his luck ...it it used several times in the movie....
Easily one of my favorite reviews so far. Loved seeing Marc laugh so much. Y’all’s shirts are 🔥🔥
Thank you, Scarletta!!! And yes! He really liked this one. I got the laugh out of him with Blazing Saddles and I got a tear out of him for next week's- Shawshank Redemption. All the feels!
Yes, that was Higgins from Magnum PI
Thanks! Still can't believe it. Such different characters lol
"we don't need no stinking badges" is from "the treasure of the siera madre" (1949) starring humphry bogart. one of the best films ever made directed by john huston. bogart, tim holt and huston's dad, walter huston deliver some of the best acting of their careers. its about a trio of expatriot american prospectors in mexico who are approached by a gang of mexican bandits passing themselves off as federal troops. when bogart demands to see their badges their leader gets mad and says "badges? we doin't need no stinking badges."
Thanks, c. j.! Ahh gotcha. Yeah, I've heard of that movie, but I didn't know it was John Huston. Anjelica Huston's dad, right?
When I first watched this movie as a kid, my favorite scene was always the fart scene. I thought that was the funniest thing ever! I still quote, "Candy-Gram for Mongo" when I'm bringing stuff to my parents. I've collected so many eye rolls over the years... 😂
I am going to have to deliver the mail that way to Marc now haha. Candy Gram for Marcos!
I think the line about the stinking badges comes from "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" a 1948 film
Went to the drive in with a car full of friends. Laughed our asses off of course. Second feature was Saturday Night Fever. We thought we would stay and make fun of it. Still couldn’t handle it so we left. Lol.
Some of the cowboy actors in the film were hired by Mel Brooks because they are actually stars of many classic westerns. The opening song is sung by Frankie Laine (known for singing cowboy/western songs on stage and in film), who was not warned about the films' content until after he was cast to sing. Anyone familiar with the western film genre will get the humor behind the casting of these legendary actors. The "Randolph Scott" reference is a nod to the famous actor who was the lead actor of many westerns from the 1930's through the 1960's.
Actress Madeleine Kahn is doing a parody of German actress Marlene Dietrich, who starred in a western with Jimmy Stewart.
Not to change the subject, but Airplane was almost a scene-by-scene parody of Zero Hour. Just go on youtube and type in ""Side-by-side" comparison: Zero Hour! (1957) Vs Airplane! (1980)." Airplane makes a lot more sense after seeing that.
Never worry about changing the subject, John! It's always a free for all over here lol. And I appreciate the suggestion- I will show this to Marc. (I like how even the titles are similar with the melodramatic exclamation marks, btw)
Mel Brooks' genius is in the way he approached racism in a way that was creatively funny. He took all of its tropes and stereotypes, stuffed them in a blender and hit "frappe."
This is a movie that they would never make today, and it's amazing
Yes, yes it is. :)
Can you say "Quentin Tarintino"?
Robin Hood Men In Tights and Dracula Dead and Loving It are both funny but clearly Homages to other films.
Thanks, Ringking 1978! Both have come highly recommended, and I'm adding them to our list :)
I enjoyed your review. The reason no one gets the movie Airplane is because it is a spoof of the 1970 movie "Airport" a disaster film with Dean Martin. It was a really popular film at the time. You need to watch it to get Airplane and it's a good movie.
Airplane! was actually a parody of the 1957 drama Zero Hour!. I highly recommend watching Zero Hour! before watching Airplane!, it makes Airplane! even more hilarious.
It's actually a spoof of the B movie Zero Hour. Almost word for word.
Carrying the layers of comedy for the movie Governor LePetomane was named for a french traveling comedian from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. He was called a flatulist or a person who could make fart sounds at will during his act. He was called Le Pe’tomane on stage. This makes the governor’s name translate from french to basically be “little fart”. Richard Pryor helped write the script and was supposed to play the role of the sheriff but the studio was afraid of the controversy surrounding him and changed their mind. I wonder what the movie would have been like if he had played the role. Him and Gene had two or three other movies that they did together and they made a really good comedy team.
Thanks so much, Steve! I remember watching See No Evil, Hear No Evil starring both of them when I was a kid and thinking it was hilarious. Pryor's standup that I've seen was great too. Honestly though, I just can't imagine anyone but Cleavon Little in this role.
Yes, that is the actor from Magnum P.I.
This movie is great. Also love top secret. With the cow in rubber boots 😂
I remember seeing that movie box so many times at Blockbuster haha. Thank you for reminding me about it, Anne!
The "you know, morons" line wasn't in the script, Cleavon Littles laugh is genuine.
Also, towards the end when they all run from the studio into the street there's a guy on the sidewalk (blue shirt) who was asked to move for shooting, he refused so production continued. I'd have loved to see his reaction close up 😂
Thanks @JonsTunes! I finally went back and watched the part with the guy on the sidewalk. Lol. It works.
Airplane was a scene by scene spoof of the movie "Zero Hour". I think there is a video on RUclips comparing the two.
"Blazing Saddles": Mel Brooks did to the Hollywood Western what he'd done to Adolf Hitler with "The Producers" (1967). ruclips.net/video/HPXHRX8Q2hs/видео.html Well now, young RUclipsrs who kept the "colorful metaphors." 6:44 In Larry McMurtry's book, "The Last Picture Show." one night, drunk high school football players went out for some "Midnight Heifer Action." 13:04 Movie history being made! 21:57 Can you imagine a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western titled "A Shitload of Dimes"? (Out of Dollars.;) 25:56 Not enough horsepower to "ride off into the sunset."
That was not t a stunt horse. Actually it was the only horse in the movie that wasn't a stunt horse. That horse just happened to be wandering by the lot and saw a sign for 'extras casting' ;)
Yes, that's John Hillerman.
Lol!!! Sarcastic. I like you.
I think Mel Brooks' movies, for the most part, develop characters and have character arcs. Maybe you feel more invested in that. Gene Wilder did a handful of movies with Richard Pryor (who co-wrote this film with Brooks). Not that you asked, but my personal favorite of these is See No Evil, Hear No Evil. Maybe you'll check that out. Enjoyable reaction. All the best.
Mongo was played by Alex Karas, a former Detroit Lion pro bowler.
Gene Wilder was in two Mel Brooks movies. The Producers and Young Frankenstein. Madeline Kahn, Dom Delouise. and Harvey Korman were also in multiple Mel Brooks movies.
I've been with thousands of men, again and again...and as my husband Ron would say to me, "Slut!" Can I help it I'm sociable? Loved seeing you and Marc watch and enjoy this movie. I believe I saw at least 3 times when it was first released in theaters; I went with someone who hadn't seen it each time for the new experience! I'd like to suggest you both watch another western comedy classic, Cat Ballou, from 1965. Somewhat similar plot, starring Jane Fonda, Lee Marvin (in an Oscar winning role), cutey Michael Callan, plus a couple more cutey patooties. Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye Provide a "Greek Chorus" to the action by singing the Ballad of Cat Ballou throughout the movie. So take my suggestion or tell me to go pound salt...your channel, your choice. 😉
Hahaha why Blanche Devereaux, when did you get here? lol. Thanks for putting Cat Ballou on my radar! Never heard of it, but I checked it out and it looks great. Thanks again Frank
I forgot about Cat Ballou, and I would agree. 8-)
Another fun fact, Carol Arthur who played Harriet was married to Dom DeLuise in real life until his death in 2009.
Thanks, David!! I had no IDEA about that, actually. But I love her performance in this. His too, obviously.
I remember seeing this in the theater when it cane out. Said in my best old lady voice!
Hahaha hey I bet it doesn't feel like that long ago though! I am now at that age where I have started to enjoy watch nostalgic videos about the time period when I was a kid, I gripe about the price of groceries, and I get angry at bad service in restaurants lol.
“Is it twue what they say….. it’s twue! It’s twue!” Lmao. Richard Pryor contributed to the writing of this screen play. Mel brooks movies are by far the most hysterical movies! Bit ofI trivia… only one scene was cut to please the studio… during the “it’s twue” scene in the dark, The sheriff says “I’m sorry to disappoint you Miss Lily, but that’s my arm you’re (blanking)”
Mel Brooks said on the DVD commentary that the line was just, "Ma'am, that's my arm."
OMG I would have LOVED that hahahahaha. That's really good.