An old man and his great films...

A friend in New Jersey recently “IMed” me, asking who I think is the world’s greatest comedy genius. It seems pretty off topic since we’ve been discussing on how cows could go to the moon, it’s a very serious conversation really, I often thought of milk powered rockets strapped on the cow’s back…anything about rocket science is serious stuff!

ANYWAY, I’m ready to answer her back “What kind of fucking question is that?!” until something pops into my mind! Aside from Hershey Chocolate bars, I thought of my favorite comedian, who also became famous as a writer, filmmaker and producer, Mel Brooks. He may not be the world’s greatest comedy genius, but definitely the greatest in my book! (or BLOG for that matter). He’s an old man, married to the late Anne Bancroft (who just died a few weeks ago), and I always remember him doing the silly “oldest man in the world” comedy bit. I believe he’s now making a broadway translation of his famous film “The Producers”. He is truly the master of parodies, an inspiration to other filmmakers like David Zucker (Naked Gun series).

His films are also the best Hollywood could offer, most of these are on my top ten list of greatest comedy movies of all time. Other films included are Monty Pythons “Holy Grail” and “Life of Brain”, Airplane, and There’s something about Mary. If you have a large amount of time at your hand, you could try sourcing out these rare Mel Brooks films and I guarantee you that all of the searching’s worth it.

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
Stars Cary Elwes (as Robin Hood), Richard Lewis (Prince John), Dave Chappelle, Tracey Ullmann

A parody of numerous Robin Hood movies, the film spoofed the Kevin Costner version in particular. Robin returns from the Crusades to discover that his castle is gone, and all that is left is a blind servant (who reads Playboy in “Brail”). Robin succeeds in uniting a band of peasants, and then proceeds to battle corruption, save the country, and win the heart of Maid Marian (which is wearing a tough chastity belt).

This movie is really amusing. Not much of intelligent conversations but more of slapstick and goof -offs that even kids would enjoy. I really miss Richard Lewis, he’s truly one of the best stand up comics around. This film also features a “not so famous YET” Dave Chappelle. I need to learn the english grammar.

Space Balls (1987)
Stars Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman,

A parody of Science Fiction movies, especially Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien and everything they could ever remember.

I remember Dom Deluise doing the voice of Pizza the Hut (never fails to crack me up!), Jim Jackman as Major Asshole, and Rick Moranis as his usual nerdish role as “Darth Vader”. This movie really is intended for the fans of the sci-fi movies.

Dracula: Dead and Loving it (1995)
Stars Leslie Neilsen, Mel Brooks, Peter McNicol, Steven Weber

Of course, a parody of all the Dracula Films, specially Bram Stroker’s Dracula.

Not as spectacular as Young Frankenstein, but this movie would always make me laugh, even if I see this over and over again. Best lines are from Mel Brooks himself: “And she will beome one herself!”…the line isn’t funny, but it’s how he said it twice. Others are from Peter McNicol who acts as Renfield, the secret assistant of Dracula, he yelled at him in front of the crowd: “Master! Master! I mean…Mister! Mister!”.




Blazing Saddles (1974)
Stars Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman

A parody of numerous westerns, Blazing Saddles is Mel Brooks' best known movie. A town full of people named Johnson stands in the way of the railroad, and a somewhat unscrupulous politician wants to buy the land that the railroad is to be built on. So he tries to make the townspeople want to leave by sending gangs through the town. When this plan fails, he sends the first Black sheriff in the West to them, thinking it will make them leave. But the sheriff, a reformed alcholic outlaw, and the entire town decide to stand against the politician's forces.

This is the very first Mel Brooks movie I’ve seen and it inspired me to follow Mel Brook’s work. This film was also nominated in 1975 for Best Film Editing, Best Music Song, and Best Supporting Actress (Madeline Kahn) at the Oscars.

Young Frankenstein (1974)

A parody of numerous Frankenstein movies, the film was shot in black and white to simulate the old monster movie feeling. This is Mel Brook’s BEST comedy film. Period. You should see this old film! I really recommend it!

Who could forget the Monster's encounter with a bearded, blind, clumsy hermit (Gene Hackman in a cameo role), a parody of the same scene in Bride of Frankenstein (1935). He spills hot soup in the creature's lap, accidentally breaks their wine glasses during a toast, and lights the monster's thumb instead of his cigar.


The Producers (1969)

I believe this is Mel Brook’s first made film, it won an Oscar for Best Writing, Story, and Screenplay in 1969. Gene Wilder was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Max Bialystock is a theatrical producer who sweet-talks rich old women to get them to invest in his Broadway plays. Then he meets Leo Bloom, who innocently realizes that if Max were to get a lot of money to invest in play which was a guaranteed flop, that they would be rich. The two then proceed to find the worst play ever written, obtain a large number of investors, hire a lead actor and director with absolutely no talent, and then sit back to wait for the bad reviews. The plan is faultless.....at least they think so...

The story is unforgettable and downright hilarious. I don't know if ACA or Video City still have this film, I guess this is a hard find.


So there! If I would rank the films, try to get The Producers, Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles first. These are true classics...cannot be compared to the ones we have now. Who said old movies are not funny? You should really try finding these titles, you won’t regret it!