[Cincinatus]

Actually, I think that Blazing Saddles has not aged well and was never all that good to begin with. True enough, there are some funny bits, but much of it is juvenile and forced (e.g., the fart gag around the campfire goes on way too long.) Its appeal was driven mostly by the fact that few movie makers (up to that time) had undertaken a genre satire, in which the cliches and situations of a class of movies are parodied and lampooned. Brooks was much more successful at that in his brilliant Young Frankenstein, another imperfect, but much better effort.

In my opinion, all of Brooks' genre satires are eclipsed by Airplane! Nothing before or since that movie even comes close in term of sheer hilarity.

[Sideshow Bob]

In my opinion, all of Brooks' genre satires are eclipsed by Airplane! Nothing before or since that movie even comes close in term of sheer hilarity.

Surely, you can't be serious.

[dfwgator]

Actually, I think that Blazing Saddles has not aged well and was never all that good to begin with.

ZOT!

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

“Brooks was much more successful at that in his brilliant Young Frankenstein, another imperfect, but much better effort.”

Young Frankenstein spends a lot of the film veering between spoof and homage.

[miss marmelstein]

Completely agree with you. Blazing Saddles IS overrated - mostly by guys who love scatological humor. That kind of stuff led to the amazingly horrible Bridesmaids - which I endured for 10 minutes.

Brooks always got brilliant comedians to appear in his films. I think that’s what has kept his profile so high over the years.

Gene Hackman in Young Frankenstein. Who would have known how funny he could be?

[golux]

I agree. I am always amazed when someone goes on and on about the “genius” of Mel Brooks’ facile, forced humor.

[Sans-Culotte]

Actually, I think that Blazing Saddles has not aged well and was never all that good to begin with. True enough, there are some funny bits, but much of it is juvenile and forced (e.g., the fart gag around the campfire goes on way too long.) Its appeal was driven mostly by the fact that few movie makers (up to that time) had undertaken a genre satire, in which the cliches and situations of a class of movies are parodied and lampooned. Brooks was much more successful at that in his brilliant Young Frankenstein, another imperfect, but much better effort.

I have never cared for Blazing Saddles. I saw it when it opened. I like a few of the gags, and I loved Madeline Kahn; but I just didn't find the movie all that funny. The fart-fest is the film's most celebrated gag, and it is simply not funny to me. It's guys farting. So, what? I think Brooks is a funny man. I've seen him on talks shows and stuff and he's funny. But I don't think his funniness necessarily means he is a good filmmaker.

I agree that Young Frankenstein was Brooks' best and funniest film. Humor is subjective. I just don't get Blazing Saddles, I guess.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Young Frankenstein was a work of genius. You have to watch it a bunch of times to see all the physical gags Example when Igor throws the third switch it is labeled “the works”

[Fledermaus]

Brooks had to be dragged kicking and screaming into Young Frankenstein. Gene Wilder was the writer and behind the production. Mel turn him down many times but finally got back on board to direct.