'I do bad taste with intelligence' (Mel Brooks Interview)

The Guardian (U.K.) ^ | Sunday December 18, 2005 | Rachel Cooke

[Vince Ferrer]

Namely, "I get no kick from champagne...."

The more I see the movie, the more I appreciate the writing in that particular scene, because its not just some jokes slapped together. This was the opening scene of the movie, which showed the railroad workers being abused by Taggert and his henchmen, and who are collapsing in the heat. Bart, however, gets into a prolonged conversation with Taggert, in order to stop the work. He does this without Taggert even noticing what he is doing. It establishes Bart as the leader of the railroad workers, a hero to the audience, and vastly more intelligent than the villians. This scene was an example of Brooks at his best writing.

[rwfromkansas]

Blazing Saddles is so hilarious. It was the first time I really was exposed to Mel Brooks, and I love that guy's sense of comedy.

[stbdside]

And of course, there's the infamous campfire scene.

"How about some more beans Mr. Taggert".

"I think you had enough".

[willyboyishere]

There is STILL nothing funnier than The Two Thousand Year Old Man recording/album he did with Carl Reiner. I hear it on XM radio every month or so, and it is always just as funny every time I hear it. He and Reiner are responsible for some of the funniest films of the last 40 or 50 years, but Mel has easily outdone Carl in the "stinker" department.

[nutmeg]

Mel Brooks ping!

[firebrand]

One of the funniest guys on the planet.

[The KG9 Kid]

Comedy aside, Blazing Saddles is one of the best Westerns ever.

I've never heard of a single person who likes Westerns who doesn't adore 'Blazing Saddles'.

[Liberty Valance]

"Look, I really don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive, you got to flap your arms and legs, you got to jump around a lot, you got to make a lot of noise, because life is the very opposite of death. And therefore, as I see it, if you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy, or at least your thoughts should be noisy and colorful and lively.” ~ Mel Brooks ~

RIP Ann Bancroft

[smonk]

I was quickly scanning thread titles, and thought this was another hollywood celebrity speaking out against the war in iraq.

*sheepish look*

[Rastus]

Blazing Saddles will be remembered by the general public far longer than anything Woody Allen has done. Allen will only be remembered by movie critics.

I'm 12,260 days into my goal of going my entire life never having seen a Woody Allen film.

[lawdude]

"Perhaps the folks in the thread will excuse me if I mention that I have never found Brooks funny. "I do bad taste", yes. "With intelligence", no."

Nothing personal but I believe your comment tells more of you than it does of Mr. Brooks.

[Loud Mime]

Why was this thread resurrected after all these months?

[RobbyS]

Loved his wife. I have read that she was somewhat melancholic. If so he must have been a better remedy than pills.

[RobbyS]

Amen.

[Doohickey]

Are you all A**holes? Is there anybody on this ship who's not an A**hole?

What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? Chicken?

We're going to have to go straight to...ludicrous speed!

[The KG9 Kid]

Because, hey, why not?

[Peelod]

bttt

[Loud Mime]

Well, I agree. After all, the Sheriff is getting nearer.