as a jazz nerd i just want to point out what a big deal it was to land the count basie orchestra for a cameo in this film. One of the greatest jazz musicians ever
Mel is a Genius! Richard Pryor was supposed to play the lead, but had to go to rehab. What I love about this is Blazing Saddles can NEVER be rebooted! It will remain, untouched, as a perfect reflection of how stupid racism is no matter which generation watches it! Enjoy
I'm so glad that woke modern HW would never dream of staining this treasure of a movie with a BS nonsense reboot. I would however love a sequel. Chappelle and Robert Downey Jr in Black Bart Rides Again? Sign me up. People would flock to theaters for something real and unapologetic like that.
The Yiddish for the Sioux scene was meant to be a jab at how Hollywood wouldn’t cast native people as native characters and would oftentimes cast Jewish actors due to the “broad nose” look. Mel brooks is a genius at satire!
@@lampad4549 iron eyes Cody is one major example of Italian actor playing a native character , couple that with locations of spaghetti westerns in Italy and Spain it was easier to cast Europeans such as Italians Jews in red face than ship native actors out. I had found sources a while ago citing Jewish actors in these roles but I will admit I cannot track them down at this current time with a quick google search.
Not to mention Joey Freaking Bishop in Texas Across the River. BTW: The Chief says,"LET 'EM GOOOOOO! Could you believe something like that could happen? They darker than us! Woof!"
@@lampad4549 - I remember that the two main Indians on the F Troop show were a guy who was a Russian Jew and a Italian American from New York. They used to cast in red-face a lot histrorically and I am pretty sure given the racial underpinnings that Richard Pryor and Brooks put into the script that having the Indians be German Jews is a comment on that.
I hear so much that people now adays wouldn't get it or handle it - these videos prove those people wrong. I think the ones who claim this and assume people are too weak are the ones who miss the anti racism and love it for the n word use.
I enjoy watching reactions, and have seen a few dozen creators. You are my favorite! Your wit and humor is top-notch, and I appreciate your perspective. You catch things that others don't, or at least they don't mention it. For example, noticing the music during the bad guy line. It changes with each group. Here are a couple of things that others don't commonly mention: 1) When the old lady is getting beat up, the guy holding her is also eating cake 2) During the scene where the frontier guy watching for the sheriff is drowned out by the bell, one of the next scenes, where he is on the roof at a distance, there is a kid in the crowd being dragged by some dogs he is walking 3) You mentioned in the very beginning that you heard that song from an old cartoon. Foghorn Leghorn is the WB character that sang this song, and my theory is that the whole movie was written as an adult cartoon. If you watch it through that lens, you will notice many things. For example, the tollbooth scene works quite well in a cartoon setting. Also, the WB music that you noticed in the Mongo/Candygram scene is clearly meant to resemble a Looney Tunes cartoon scene. Thanks for the entertaining reaction. You are the best! 8-)
This was Brooks’ roast of both the “whitewashed” westerns of yesteryear as well as a brilliant satire of racism. Brooks himself was Jewish so that makes all of the German and nazi jokes even funnier! It was partly written by Richard Pryor! He was originally supposed to play Sheriff Bart but couldn’t due to schedule. That’s alright though because Cleavon Little was amazing....Pryor can be hilarious but I’m not sure he could have matched Little’s charm. Fun fact: Brooks pushed the envelope to the max with not only the first on screen fart, but an entire barrage of farts! It’s a fun movie with a great message. Enjoyed the reaction!
The Studio didn’t know who Pryor was, so they forced Brooks to use an established Actor in Clevon Little. Pryor was often onset for re writes, and Wilder decided and him became friendly, leading to Silver Streak and Stir Crazy. Also the studio cut the line “You’re sucking in my arm” after Madeline Kahn’s “It’s twue, it’s twue”. Brooks said he would’ve taken an X rating, but they wouldn’t allow it.
@@rostoff there are so many little factoids about the production of this movie there's a reason you couldn't make Blazing Saddles today, and its got nothing to do with Social Justice or PC culture and everything to do with the reasons behind why this movie exists, the exact mix of the incredible talent that brought it to life and the spirit of its message that keeps it relevant Almost 50 years later. When Mel passes away his funeral better be the largest funniest event ever.
@@spaceactivistarchive4180 just make sure that it is the Gene Wilder one and not the later, terrible one, also directed, in part, by Mel Brooks (it was courageous of him to accept any of the blame).
Yeah...it can. People were saying the same thing about Jojo Rabbit before it was released. It's not going to be made again because there's no point in doing so. It's like the fact that they made a Deadpool 2...and they're going to make another. It's a one-off...not a series. One Blazing Saddles is plenty. There's no need to make another like it, for now.
This is so stupid, why do people keep saying this ignorant crap. Have people not seen a movie called Django Unchained, many movies use the N- word in this day and age. Every racist person is the butt of the jokes, thats how it works. They aren't celebrating racism, they are mocking it and showing how stupid it is. This movie still shows up on cable once and a while.
@@robertmonroe1883 Actually the studio hated it and wanted to toss it down the memory hole & call it a loss. Brooks talked them into a weeks limited release in several theaters where it was a smash hit. The studio heads, not being complete idiots, then authorized a wide release.
@@r3h0l3s7 Um, no. Tarantino has, for some reason, gotten a pass for dropping n-bombs in his movies. Besides, that was a revenge snuff film where the black avenger slaughtered white slave owners. Certain types eat that crap up. Like that would happen in the 1858 south. Just watch the reactions to this movie. Most of them (usually white folks) edit or bleep out every use of the n-bomb, which I think misses the point of the whole movie. They can't handle it. Also note that Brooks went after everyone in this movie, including Chinese, gays, and the Irish. Fun fact: for a long time there really was widespread prejudice against the Irish. "No Irish need apply" was frequently seen on help wanted signs. The cancel culture types are so wrapped up over alleged racism, various "phobias," and "cultural appropriation" they would go nuclear over this movie.
One other classic-Western ref: Madeline Kahn's strange German accent and bored/sultry saloon singing is "really" Marlene Dietrich from "Destry Rides Again", and that's a good classic-Western to start looking up, if you're ever curious.
Once watched Blazing Saddles on TV. During a commercial, I did some channel scrolling and found a Marlene Dietrich movie playing. It was cool to see the inspiration alongside the parody!
Mel Brooks always said that the best way to deal with evil is to laugh it into oblivion. You need to see Producers and it's hit song Springtime for Hitler!
He was actually the only reason I watched this movie. The trailer looked too stupid to me but hey Alex Karras was in it. It was just as stupid as I feared but a whole lot funnier than I had hoped. Thanks again Alex.
An urbanite is someone who lives in a city or town. So he is basically calling Bart a dazzling city boy. Someone who belongs in much more amazing places than in a rural and unsophisticated town in the west.
Awesome reaction, dude! One of the best comedies ever!!! Thanks for watching this one. When Mel Brooks pitched the movie, it was "the story takes place in 1874, but we're playing it like it's 1974!" Cleavon Little was a Broadway star before this. Madeline Kahn, who plays Lily Von Schtupp, was nominated for an Oscar for this film, and she actually had training as an operatic soprano (which she uses to great comedic effect in Mel Brooks's 'Young Frankenstein' and 'History of the World, Part I'). Harvey Korman (Hedley Lamarr) is best known for his work on 'The Carol Burnett Show' in the 60s and 70s...and the real actress Hedy Lamarr did try to sue over the jokes involving her name in the film. Frankie Laine, the singer of the theme song, was horrified that this film was a comedy and tried to sue to remove the song from the soundtrack. The fart scene was the first time gas passing was put on the screen...and when it was originally aired on network TV, they took out all of the fart and burp noises but left the scene in the film, so it became a strange ballet of cowboys rising up, sitting down, and weird facial expressions that were so surreal the network got complaints about it. Mel Brooks, whose family was made up of Holocaust survivors and victims, has always believed that comedy is the best way to take power back from that which you fear. Being Jewish, all of his films constantly skewer Hitler and the Nazis at every opportunity, and he made this film specifically to try to illustrate that racism is both idiotic and pointless. I'm looking forward to seeing other reactions of yours! Especially more Mel Brooks ones!
Brooks was an established director, but he was cleverest when it came to studio contracts. He worked into the contract that he had final say over the final edit of the movie that went to the screen and the studio didn’t notice. So anytime the studio asked him to change something he always agreed, then in the end kept his vision of the movie exact to what he wanted which is what we all got. The studio was pissed but couldn’t do anything about it, plus it made a lot of money so brook’s reputation didn’t take any damage. Straight genius. I’d also recommend Young Frankenstein, another Mel brooks classic.
Slim plays the foreman.Taggert. Slim Pickins was the name he performed under as a rodeo clown. He is iconic for his role in Dr Strangelove alongside James Earl Jones.
The one thing that almost made him refuse the part was that he had to say certain words. He was not a racist and hated that word. They had to pay him a huge amount, and Mel had to convince him how important it was to show how stupid racism was before he agreed.
The railroad workers song was "I get a kick out of you" by Cole Porter in 1936- 50 years AFTER when the movie is set. Another time related joke is people keep messing up Harvey Korman's character's name Hedley LaMarre. There was a real actress named Hedy Lamarr who wasn't born until 1914. That's why the GOV says "You'll be able to sue HER!"
Yes, there's literally a joke a minute. There are jokes about jokes, and jokes on top of jokes. Sometimes you must pull back a couple of layers of jokes to get to the main joke. Even Madeline Kahn's character name. "Schtupp" is Yiddish for fornicate. She's very clearly a joke about the great Marlene Dietrich, who played a whole string of dance hall girl roles in Westerns from the '30s to the '50s.
About the hangman scenes: can you tell Mel Brooks is anti-death penalty? XD Edit: This was Madeline Kahn's big screen debut, and she was very nervous about it (she had severe self esteem issues and thought she was neither attractive or talented). But it's a downright genius parody of Marlene Dietrich (specifically one western Dietrich was in). Kahn was also an amazing singer, which makes the singing scene in this even more genius.
This was almost another one. Pryor wrote the script with Brooks who was hoping to cast him as Bart but that was around the time Pryor's coke habit caught up to him.
Best thing about the Pryor/Wilder comedian duo movies is they both ad lib A LOT and make up gags and lines as they go along. You'll catch them breaking character and laughing at each other now and then, Wilder and Pryor competing to see who can make the other break character or just going along with whatever physical gag the other comedian is doing to hype it even more.
Mel Brooks usually plays a small part in his movies. By the way, the governor's name, William J. LePetomane, is a joke, too. Look up LePetomane, a famous French performer, with a most interesting talent.
The Indian chief was played by Mel Brooks himself...and you were close...the language he was speaking was actually Yiddish, the language that Eastern European and Russian Jews spoke and brought to America with them. Mel also played the Governor and he was dressed as a pilot standing in the line waiting to sign up for the evil army. I have seen others suggest all the movies I usually suggest, so I will be different and highly recommend a movie called The Frisco Kid, with Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford. ✌
At no point in US history were the Irish ever "below" blacks. Was there ever a point in time when there were separate bathrooms and drinking fountains for Irish people (as was the case for black people AFTER slavery)? No? Then they never ever were considered lower than blacks in this country.
Correction, this was actually the first movie Mel Brooks directed, There's an interview where he explained that "The only way I could get a picture made that was anything like what I wrote in the script was if I directed it"
No, the HoJo reference didn't age too well, but a lot of the stuff in the movie is fairly period specific and has been mostly lost to succeeding generations. Some of it is even referenced to earlier movies, like the "we don need no steekin' badches" (from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre). Still the funniest movie ever. Mel Brooks also played the Indian Chief.
@@Lugnut64052 Mel was also in the line of the bad guys being interviewed by Lamarr. Brooks was wearing a WWII brown leather pilot's jacket. Not too many people catch that.
I know but black people are referred to as "urban" because many come from the intercity. I think he was calling him that for that reason. Thats why I made that comment.
@@oddnoobian1123 Yeah, but back in the day "urbanite" literally meant someone fancy and educated from the big city. The other meaning arrived in the mid-70's when racists couldn't be openly racist and had to invent other words to be racist with. But when the movie was written, it definitely meant "fancy person from the big city". Brooks and Pryor definitely didn't have Jim say it in the racist way.
In my mind this is the definitive anti-racism movie. Blasts racism by using all the stereotypes. Couldn’t make it today, but then again, how many people were clever enough to make it work even back then?
"Fuck the beans man y'all need to check them draws" funniest line of the vid I'm in tears 2nd best "he got jelly cos dude was all up in her belly" you've got a new sub dude keep up the good work
This is definitely one of Brooks best films along with Silent Movie. Brooks said the one joke they had to change was when Sheriff Bart went to visit Lili. Originally he said "I hate to break it to you but you're sucking on my elbow" but they changed to Lili saying "it''s true" because it was deemed too risque. Definitely suggest checking out The Naked Gun one of the best parody films out there.
Breaking the 4th wall is one of Mel Brooks' big traits. He absolutely destroys it in Spaceballs which is one of the funniest movies ever made! Check that one out!
Blazing Saddles is by far my favorite film of ALL time. I''m 68 years old now, so it was fascinating to me to see how a much younger person reacted to the flick. In future, I would only suggest that you not duck how seriously Brooks tries to rip apart racism. That part of the film is NOT a joke. I believe that he was TRULY trying to tell the real deal in 1974--and that NO ONE has done it better since. As for your personal first reactions to my FAV film? I loved them. Keep it up!
I'd leave out "Tombstone" from the all time great list and put in these. Once Upon A Time in the West The Magnificent Seven Rio Bravo A Fistful of Dollars For A Few Dollars More The Searchers McCabe and Mrs. Miller Unforgiven The Outlaw Josey Wales
@@USCFlash - Great list, All of those would have been recommendations of mine if I continued the list, (plus "Shane", and "Il Mercenario"). But c'mon man, "Tombstone" belongs, great movie.
@@brettg274 Well my opinion is it simply is nowhere near the class of an "all-time classic". That is not to say it isn't entertaining and doesn't have some very good lines, but i always found it a bit cheesy in its casting, dialogue and some of its actors/acting. and there are certainly more movies i'd add in, as you said like - "The Searchers" "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" among others
@@brettg274 thanks you have good taste too, like i said, i enjoyed Tombstone and it was entertaining and had some good lines (memorable ones) it just never struck me as "elite" or "masterpiece" level (though it was much more entertaining than the Costner version that came out the same time "Wyatt Earp".)
The YES/NO gag. Back in the day, it was common for big rigs to put YES on the left mudflap and NO on the right to let drivers know which side to pass. It's a pretty obscure reference.
Mel Brooks filmography in no particular order: The Producers (1968) The Twelve Chairs Blazing Saddles History of the World Part 1 Life Stinks To Be or Not To Be The Producers (2005) Spaceballs Young Frankenstein Dracula: Dead and Loving it Silent Movie Robin Hood: Men in Tights High Anxiety Please watch them all
This movie deserves to be watched multiple times you notice something new everytime it's constantly throwing jokes and little details at you that get easily missed. Like how perfectly the theme song at the beginning encapsulates the message of the whole movie. "He conquered fear and he conquered hate he turned dark night into day He rode a blazing saddle A torch to light the way" Wish more creative's and movie makers had followed the example this movie set to handle the topics it took on.
Mongo is portrayed by the late great Alex Karras, former defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions. He also went on to portray George Papadopolis on the TV show WEBSTER. He also portrayed Sheriff Wallace in the 1981 adult comedy film PORKY'S.
Mel Brooks directed Young Frankenstein as part of Gene Wilder's price for taking the role of Jim at the last minute. Wilder wrote YF, which is why there is no onscreen role for Brooks, and less fourth-wall breaking than is Brooks-normal.
First off, I love that you enjoyed the movie, and your reaction. It hilarious and couldn’t be made today. As far as “Urbanite” goes, when Jim, aka Jim, aka The Waco Kid calls Bart a “Dazzling Urbanite”, it doesn’t specifically refer to black people. It means “a person who lives in/comes from/relates to a city”. Also, the word “Urbane” means a person who is sophisticated, eloquent, well-mannered, charming, elegant. Jim’s just observant. He sees Bart’s fine deerskin Gucci suit and leather goods, gentlemanly conduct and charm, intelligence, he knows Bart isn’t a country-ass boy, and he basically says to Bart “Okay, what the F is a guy like you doing in a shithole like this?”. Also, if no one has mentioned it, have you ever seen the 80s sitcom “Webster”, starring Emmanuel Lewis? The guy who played Webster’s godfather/adoptive father George Papadopolis, is the guy who plays Mongo in this movie.
Mel Brooks playing the Sioux chief speaking Yiddish parodies the fact that Jewish actors were often cast to play Native American characters in spaghetti western films.
There was something about people believing that Native Americans were descendants of a "lost tribe of Israel". I think that is what Brooks was referring to.
Btw: thanks for not bleeping the slurs. I saw a little white girl do this, and she bleeped all the slurs. She was trying to be nice, but it misses the point of the film.
I didn't say he was a doorman lol. He high fived him as to say "im proud of what you become" to the sherif. I compared that to a doorman in a nice apartment who does the same to a black person that lives there.
4:04 "Look at at my man boogie'n right here!" Dude, that guy right there has ALWAYS been my favorite! Personally, I don't like to dance. So, when I get tired of people bugging me to get down at a party or the club, I always break out THAT dance, and everyone leaves me the hell alone.
This movie was a send up of the whitewashed western. A west without racism, rape or even gas. It came out when "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" were top shows and skewered them. ( I love that it's a town full of "Johnsons")
@@oddnoobian1123 Comedian Richard Pryor co-wrote the script for this film. Check out Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety and History Of The World Part 1, all Mel Brooks films. Happy 2021.
Heddy LaMar was a BEAUTIFUL actress from the 40s who was secretly a scientist. She helped develop wifi. Apparently she sued Brooks over the use of her name although he spelled it Hedley.
Slim Pickens was the guy that got hit in the head with the Shovel, Mongo was played by Alex Karras he was a retired Pro Football player, he played for the Detroit Lions from 1958 to 1970
Just remember: If you're complaining about how "you couldn't make Blazing Saddles today", you're very likely exactly the kind of person Blazing Saddles was making fun of in the first place.
@@oddnoobian1123 I had heard the studio wouldn't insure Pryor because he was considered too risky. It all worked out as Clevon Little was excellent as the sheriff and brought class and style to the role.
Yes/No is a reference to signage on the back of large trucks. Yes on the left, ie, yes, you can pass on that side. No, you can't pass on the right. Emphasizes the size of the ox.
@OddNoobian: FUN FACT - the actor who played "Gabby Johnson,"* Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr.; was also the actor who played the sadistic, brutal, sheriff's deputy - "Deputy Sergeant Arthur "Art" Galt" - in 'First Blood' ( 1982, first of the 'Rambo' movie series, ) ( credited as Jack Starrett. ) *"Gabby Johnson" was the frontier gibberish- speaking ( in the church meeting scene ) Rock Ridge townsperson, later you see him in the "Welcome Sheriff" scene, and then later in the fight scene between the bad guys and the townspeople ( knocking one of the baddies out with his boozy breath, ) then he's in the crowd of the townspeople at almost the end of the movie as the town says goodbye to "Sheriff Bart" ( Cleavon Little. ) Also - his name - "Gabby Johnson" was a play on words on the name of famed Western movie sidekick- playing actor George "Gabby" Hayes.
as a jazz nerd i just want to point out what a big deal it was to land the count basie orchestra for a cameo in this film. One of the greatest jazz musicians ever
Another Fun Fact: that wasn't Cleavon Little singing the first song, but "Nat" King Cole.
@@Caseytify No that actually was Cleavon. Plus Nat King Cole had already died about a decade before this was filmed.
Mel is a Genius! Richard Pryor was supposed to play the lead, but had to go to rehab. What I love about this is Blazing Saddles can NEVER be rebooted! It will remain, untouched, as a perfect reflection of how stupid racism is no matter which generation watches it! Enjoy
I'm so glad that woke modern HW would never dream of staining this treasure of a movie with a BS nonsense reboot. I would however love a sequel. Chappelle and Robert Downey Jr in Black Bart Rides Again? Sign me up. People would flock to theaters for something real and unapologetic like that.
@@st0n3p0ny "Pardon me, while I whip out my wallet, so you can go ahead and just take my money!"
That would be outstanding!
Someone asked Mel Brooks if Blazing Saddles could be made today. He said, "it couldn't be made in 1974. We made it anyway."
Until cancel culture, or some offended Karen’s raise enough of a fuss about it, and Hollywood caves to their demands to remove it from circulation. 😢😞
The Yiddish for the Sioux scene was meant to be a jab at how Hollywood wouldn’t cast native people as native characters and would oftentimes cast Jewish actors due to the “broad nose” look. Mel brooks is a genius at satire!
Are you sure that's true? Can you name some examples where they cast Jewish actors to play such roles?
@@lampad4549 iron eyes Cody is one major example of Italian actor playing a native character , couple that with locations of spaghetti westerns in Italy and Spain it was easier to cast Europeans such as Italians Jews in red face than ship native actors out. I had found sources a while ago citing Jewish actors in these roles but I will admit I cannot track them down at this current time with a quick google search.
Not to mention Joey Freaking Bishop in Texas Across the River. BTW: The Chief says,"LET 'EM GOOOOOO! Could you believe something like that could happen? They darker than us! Woof!"
You notice Hedley humping that statue? He's literally f**ing justice!
@@lampad4549 - I remember that the two main Indians on the F Troop show were a guy who was a Russian Jew and a Italian American from New York. They used to cast in red-face a lot histrorically and I am pretty sure given the racial underpinnings that Richard Pryor and Brooks put into the script that having the Indians be German Jews is a comment on that.
The greatest anti-racist movie of all time!
@Atheos B. Sapien Both are great films.
I hear so much that people now adays wouldn't get it or handle it - these videos prove those people wrong. I think the ones who claim this and assume people are too weak are the ones who miss the anti racism and love it for the n word use.
I enjoy watching reactions, and have seen a few dozen creators. You are my favorite! Your wit and humor is top-notch, and I appreciate your perspective. You catch things that others don't, or at least they don't mention it. For example, noticing the music during the bad guy line. It changes with each group. Here are a couple of things that others don't commonly mention:
1) When the old lady is getting beat up, the guy holding her is also eating cake
2) During the scene where the frontier guy watching for the sheriff is drowned out by the bell, one of the next scenes, where he is on the roof at a distance, there is a kid in the crowd being dragged by some dogs he is walking
3) You mentioned in the very beginning that you heard that song from an old cartoon. Foghorn Leghorn is the WB character that sang this song, and my theory is that the whole movie was written as an adult cartoon. If you watch it through that lens, you will notice many things. For example, the tollbooth scene works quite well in a cartoon setting. Also, the WB music that you noticed in the Mongo/Candygram scene is clearly meant to resemble a Looney Tunes cartoon scene.
Thanks for the entertaining reaction. You are the best! 8-)
This was Brooks’ roast of both the “whitewashed” westerns of yesteryear as well as a brilliant satire of racism. Brooks himself was Jewish so that makes all of the German and nazi jokes even funnier! It was partly written by Richard Pryor! He was originally supposed to play Sheriff Bart but couldn’t due to schedule. That’s alright though because Cleavon Little was amazing....Pryor can be hilarious but I’m not sure he could have matched Little’s charm. Fun fact: Brooks pushed the envelope to the max with not only the first on screen fart, but an entire barrage of farts! It’s a fun movie with a great message. Enjoyed the reaction!
It wasn't Pryor's "schedule" that kept him from doing the part, unless you say his "schedule" was filled with doing drugs and drinking...
@@ffjsb priorites?
The Studio didn’t know who Pryor was, so they forced Brooks to use an established Actor in Clevon Little. Pryor was often onset for re writes, and Wilder decided and him became friendly, leading to Silver Streak and Stir Crazy.
Also the studio cut the line “You’re sucking in my arm” after Madeline Kahn’s “It’s twue, it’s twue”. Brooks said he would’ve taken an X rating, but they wouldn’t allow it.
@@rostoff there are so many little factoids about the production of this movie there's a reason you couldn't make Blazing Saddles today, and its got nothing to do with Social Justice or PC culture and everything to do with the reasons behind why this movie exists, the exact mix of the incredible talent that brought it to life and the spirit of its message that keeps it relevant Almost 50 years later. When Mel passes away his funeral better be the largest funniest event ever.
It's my understanding that Mel Brooks is still Jewish. And alive.
In my view, the greatest comedy of all time. Comedies don't have to have an IQ of zero. This is intelligent comedy.
Slim Pickens in 1941
YES!
“Young Frankenstein” for some more Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder.
And "The Producers".
@@spaceactivistarchive4180 just make sure that it is the Gene Wilder one and not the later, terrible one, also directed, in part, by Mel Brooks (it was courageous of him to accept any of the blame).
"what hump?"
@@jaewok5G "What knockers!"
@@tomreichardt6044 put …
the candle …
back
There is no way in hell this movie could ever be made in this day and age! Such a true classic!
Yeah...it can. People were saying the same thing about Jojo Rabbit before it was released. It's not going to be made again because there's no point in doing so. It's like the fact that they made a Deadpool 2...and they're going to make another. It's a one-off...not a series. One Blazing Saddles is plenty. There's no need to make another like it, for now.
Mel brooks said it couldn’t be made then but we did it anyway
This is so stupid, why do people keep saying this ignorant crap. Have people not seen a movie called Django Unchained, many movies use the N- word in this day and age. Every racist person is the butt of the jokes, thats how it works. They aren't celebrating racism, they are mocking it and showing how stupid it is. This movie still shows up on cable once and a while.
@@robertmonroe1883 Actually the studio hated it and wanted to toss it down the memory hole & call it a loss. Brooks talked them into a weeks limited release in several theaters where it was a smash hit. The studio heads, not being complete idiots, then authorized a wide release.
@@r3h0l3s7 Um, no. Tarantino has, for some reason, gotten a pass for dropping n-bombs in his movies. Besides, that was a revenge snuff film where the black avenger slaughtered white slave owners. Certain types eat that crap up. Like that would happen in the 1858 south.
Just watch the reactions to this movie. Most of them (usually white folks) edit or bleep out every use of the n-bomb, which I think misses the point of the whole movie. They can't handle it.
Also note that Brooks went after everyone in this movie, including Chinese, gays, and the Irish. Fun fact: for a long time there really was widespread prejudice against the Irish. "No Irish need apply" was frequently seen on help wanted signs. The cancel culture types are so wrapped up over alleged racism, various "phobias," and "cultural appropriation" they would go nuclear over this movie.
One other classic-Western ref: Madeline Kahn's strange German accent and bored/sultry saloon singing is "really" Marlene Dietrich from "Destry Rides Again", and that's a good classic-Western to start looking up, if you're ever curious.
Once watched Blazing Saddles on TV. During a commercial, I did some channel scrolling and found a Marlene Dietrich movie playing. It was cool to see the inspiration alongside the parody!
Mel Brooks always said that the best way to deal with evil is to laugh it into oblivion. You need to see Producers and it's hit song Springtime for Hitler!
The original is better than the remake
@@rickcoona yes, but they're both good.
They broke the fourth wall looking at the camera? In the last act they LITERALLY broke the fourth wall.
The guy playing "Mongo" is Alex Karras who played as a lineman for the Detroit Lions in the 60's.
He was actually the only reason I watched this movie. The trailer looked too stupid to me but hey Alex Karras was in it. It was just as stupid as I feared but a whole lot funnier than I had hoped. Thanks again Alex.
And he was the dad in that show Webster also
@@joshuatift4640 Was just about to add that. That was such a cute show.
An urbanite is someone who lives in a city or town. So he is basically calling Bart a dazzling city boy. Someone who belongs in much more amazing places than in a rural and unsophisticated town in the west.
“They said you was hung”
“And they was right” 😂😂😂
Awesome reaction, dude! One of the best comedies ever!!! Thanks for watching this one.
When Mel Brooks pitched the movie, it was "the story takes place in 1874, but we're playing it like it's 1974!" Cleavon Little was a Broadway star before this. Madeline Kahn, who plays Lily Von Schtupp, was nominated for an Oscar for this film, and she actually had training as an operatic soprano (which she uses to great comedic effect in Mel Brooks's 'Young Frankenstein' and 'History of the World, Part I'). Harvey Korman (Hedley Lamarr) is best known for his work on 'The Carol Burnett Show' in the 60s and 70s...and the real actress Hedy Lamarr did try to sue over the jokes involving her name in the film. Frankie Laine, the singer of the theme song, was horrified that this film was a comedy and tried to sue to remove the song from the soundtrack. The fart scene was the first time gas passing was put on the screen...and when it was originally aired on network TV, they took out all of the fart and burp noises but left the scene in the film, so it became a strange ballet of cowboys rising up, sitting down, and weird facial expressions that were so surreal the network got complaints about it. Mel Brooks, whose family was made up of Holocaust survivors and victims, has always believed that comedy is the best way to take power back from that which you fear. Being Jewish, all of his films constantly skewer Hitler and the Nazis at every opportunity, and he made this film specifically to try to illustrate that racism is both idiotic and pointless.
I'm looking forward to seeing other reactions of yours! Especially more Mel Brooks ones!
Brooks was an established director, but he was cleverest when it came to studio contracts. He worked into the contract that he had final say over the final edit of the movie that went to the screen and the studio didn’t notice. So anytime the studio asked him to change something he always agreed, then in the end kept his vision of the movie exact to what he wanted which is what we all got. The studio was pissed but couldn’t do anything about it, plus it made a lot of money so brook’s reputation didn’t take any damage. Straight genius. I’d also recommend Young Frankenstein, another Mel brooks classic.
Slim plays the foreman.Taggert. Slim Pickins was the name he performed under as a rodeo clown. He is iconic for his role in Dr Strangelove alongside James Earl Jones.
*long list of military survival supplies*
"Shit a feller could have a nice weekend in Vegas with all that stuff"
The one thing that almost made him refuse the part was that he had to say certain words. He was not a racist and hated that word. They had to pay him a huge amount, and Mel had to convince him how important it was to show how stupid racism was before he agreed.
Slim also had a long career in Western movies as well
@@MajesticSkywhale There some weird stuff - a pack of cigarettes, a rubber, a chocolate bar...
The railroad workers song was "I get a kick out of you" by Cole Porter in 1936- 50 years AFTER when the movie is set. Another time related joke is people keep messing up Harvey Korman's character's name Hedley LaMarre. There was a real actress named Hedy Lamarr who wasn't born until 1914. That's why the GOV says "You'll be able to sue HER!"
She sued Mel over this film, and won. But only because her lawyer insisted she had to. I think she got the judge to lower the settlement to $1.
Yes, there's literally a joke a minute. There are jokes about jokes, and jokes on top of jokes. Sometimes you must pull back a couple of layers of jokes to get to the main joke.
Even Madeline Kahn's character name. "Schtupp" is Yiddish for fornicate. She's very clearly a joke about the great Marlene Dietrich, who played a whole string of dance hall girl roles in Westerns from the '30s to the '50s.
About the hangman scenes: can you tell Mel Brooks is anti-death penalty? XD
Edit: This was Madeline Kahn's big screen debut, and she was very nervous about it (she had severe self esteem issues and thought she was neither attractive or talented). But it's a downright genius parody of Marlene Dietrich (specifically one western Dietrich was in). Kahn was also an amazing singer, which makes the singing scene in this even more genius.
Madeline Kahn is a fantastic comedic actor!!
Madeline Kahn was actually an EXTREMELY great singer, could've had a career as an opera singer, she was that good.
One of the best! I would of loved seeing what Richard Pryor could of done, but cocaine is a helluva drug. But Cleavon killed it as Bart.
"alright, someone's gotta ride back and get a shitload of dimes"
For more Gene Wilder, check out his movies with Richard Pryor. Particularly Silver Streak, Stir Crazy and See No Evil Hear No Evil.
This was almost another one. Pryor wrote the script with Brooks who was hoping to cast him as Bart but that was around the time Pryor's coke habit caught up to him.
I love Pryor and Wilder together. One of the greatest comedy duos.
Best thing about the Pryor/Wilder comedian duo movies is they both ad lib A LOT and make up gags and lines as they go along. You'll catch them breaking character and laughing at each other now and then, Wilder and Pryor competing to see who can make the other break character or just going along with whatever physical gag the other comedian is doing to hype it even more.
Little known fact another popular 80,s movie was meant for Richard and gene wilder , trading places
Don’t forget Young Frankenstein
One of the funniest movies ever made, with an important message
Howard Johnson references RIP... so many young people will never know the joke..lol
Im 33 and I had no clue what that reference was lol.
@@oddnoobian1123 Howard Johnson's was a chain of restaurants, they all had these bright orange roofs on them.
Or the " laurel and hardy " handshake
Or the Van Johnson reference
Not to mention Samuel Johnson, Van Johnson...
There was a line cut after she said, "It's true, it's true!". Originally the sheriff replied, "Excuse me ma'am, but you're sucking on my elbow."
Written By Richard Pryor his only Bart line I believe.
Holy shit that's funny
History of the World, Part I ,is another great Mel brooks movie
We're jews out in space 🎶
😊
It’s good to be the king!
Part 2 is better
Mel Brooks usually plays a small part in his movies.
By the way, the governor's name, William J. LePetomane, is a joke, too. Look up LePetomane, a famous French performer, with a most interesting talent.
Not the type of guy to toot his own horn
Mel Brooks best talent is making fun of stereotypes. He pushes to the edge with some of it which I think makes it funnier...
The Indian chief was played by Mel Brooks himself...and you were close...the language he was speaking was actually Yiddish, the language that Eastern European and Russian Jews spoke and brought to America with them. Mel also played the Governor and he was dressed as a pilot standing in the line waiting to sign up for the evil army.
I have seen others suggest all the movies I usually suggest, so I will be different and highly recommend a movie called The Frisco Kid, with Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford. ✌
Terrific movie choice!
The irish actually were the most hated class in america in those days. they were below blacks, chinese, and the itallians.
Hardly. Even indentured servants could take their masters to court. They were still legally human.
@@stevegans731 I've replied explaining my position and adding more historical stuff several times but YT just yeets them. XD
@@professorsponge1554 youtube tends to do that nowadays. Can't rewrite history if people know it already.
At no point in US history were the Irish ever "below" blacks.
Was there ever a point in time when there were separate bathrooms and drinking fountains for Irish people (as was the case for black people AFTER slavery)?
No?
Then they never ever were considered lower than blacks in this country.
@@Cbricklyne Well youtube won't let me respond with facts of my own, so enjoy your unassailable position.
Oh, so none of you guys knows Count Basie? The whole thing was an over the top laugh. There was a time when we could all laugh at ourselves
Gen X and Millennials are missing 99% of the jokes in this movie.
Most don't know who Jesse Owens was either. Very sad.
@@davidlightfoot348 Fastest man in the world, until Carl Lewis, and I don't know if his record has been beaten.
Usane Bolt holds that record now.
@@rickcoona Oh yes, now I know, TY
Classics by Mel Brooks:
The Producers (1968)
Young Frankenstein
Spaceballs
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
History of the World Part 1
Why everybody forget high anxiety??
Lest we forget "High Anxiety" plus "Dracula: Dead And Loving It". Two more masterpieces.
That gum scene just brought so many 'Nam styled elementary school flashbacks.
The Camptown Races is a minstrel song from the early 1800s.
Correction, this was actually the first movie Mel Brooks directed, There's an interview where he explained that "The only way I could get a picture made that was anything like what I wrote in the script was if I directed it"
No, it was his 3rd movie as director. The Producers (1968) and The Twelve Chairs (1970) came before Blazing Saddles.
the gucci saddlebags kill me
The Howard Johnson joke didn't age well. It was a popular chain of restaurants with the famous orange roof. Also, Mel Brooks was the cross-eyed GOV.
Even if they don't know about HoJos, the the joke was the entire town was a Johnson and related.
And a hotel chains
No, the HoJo reference didn't age too well, but a lot of the stuff in the movie is fairly period specific and has been mostly lost to succeeding generations. Some of it is even referenced to earlier movies, like the "we don need no steekin' badches" (from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre). Still the funniest movie ever.
Mel Brooks also played the Indian Chief.
@@Lugnut64052 Mel was also in the line of the bad guys being interviewed by Lamarr. Brooks was wearing a WWII brown leather pilot's jacket. Not too many people catch that.
Sir, that "doorman" was Count Basie. Recognize royalty, my friend. 😉
Richard Pryor helped write some of the movie And was going to play Bart originally.
An urbanite is someone who is from the city.
I know but black people are referred to as "urban" because many come from the intercity. I think he was calling him that for that reason. Thats why I made that comment.
@@oddnoobian1123 Yeah, but back in the day "urbanite" literally meant someone fancy and educated from the big city. The other meaning arrived in the mid-70's when racists couldn't be openly racist and had to invent other words to be racist with. But when the movie was written, it definitely meant "fancy person from the big city". Brooks and Pryor definitely didn't have Jim say it in the racist way.
In my mind this is the definitive anti-racism movie. Blasts racism by using all the stereotypes. Couldn’t make it today, but then again, how many people were clever enough to make it work even back then?
I agree
“Forget the beans. You need to check your drawers.” SAVAGE! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
Mongo was played by Alex Karras who was a D lineman for the Lions. Ended up playing Webster's dad on tv.
"Fuck the beans man y'all need to check them draws" funniest line of the vid I'm in tears
2nd best "he got jelly cos dude was all up in her belly" you've got a new sub dude keep up the good work
This is definitely one of Brooks best films along with Silent Movie. Brooks said the one joke they had to change was when Sheriff Bart went to visit Lili. Originally he said "I hate to break it to you but you're sucking on my elbow" but they changed to Lili saying "it''s true" because it was deemed too risque. Definitely suggest checking out The Naked Gun one of the best parody films out there.
I already have Naked Gun on the list. Coming soon 😁
Breaking the 4th wall is one of Mel Brooks' big traits. He absolutely destroys it in Spaceballs which is one of the funniest movies ever made! Check that one out!
Quite possibly the funniest movie ever made
Blazing Saddles is by far my favorite film of ALL time. I''m 68 years old now, so it was fascinating to me to see how a much younger person reacted to the flick. In future, I would only suggest that you not duck how seriously Brooks tries to rip apart racism. That part of the film is NOT a joke. I believe that he was TRULY trying to tell the real deal in 1974--and that NO ONE has done it better since. As for your personal first reactions to my FAV film? I loved them. Keep it up!
Mel always appears in his movies
So did Alfred Hitchcock.
It really annoys me that no one has spotted or mentioned that that is Count Bassie and his orchestra in the dessert.
That doorman is the legendary Count Basie and his orchestra.
"I count six shots ...."
"I count two guns ...."
Amazingly, Richard Pryor main contribution was the dialog for Mungo. He wrote the line, “ Mungo only pawn in game of life.” Strange and funny line.
I can feel that line
“Boxing the old lady’s guts.”
That’s a Saturday night. 😂
Westerns:
“The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”
“Tombstone”
“The Unforgiven”
There’s so many more great ones, but that’s a good place to start.
I'd leave out "Tombstone" from the all time great list and put in these.
Once Upon A Time in the West
The Magnificent Seven
Rio Bravo
A Fistful of Dollars
For A Few Dollars More
The Searchers
McCabe and Mrs. Miller
Unforgiven
The Outlaw Josey Wales
@@USCFlash - Great list, All of those would have been recommendations of mine if I continued the list, (plus "Shane", and "Il Mercenario"). But c'mon man, "Tombstone" belongs, great movie.
@@brettg274
Well my opinion is it simply is nowhere near the class of an "all-time classic".
That is not to say it isn't entertaining and doesn't have some very good lines, but i always found it a bit cheesy in its casting, dialogue and some of its actors/acting.
and there are certainly more movies i'd add in, as you said like -
"The Searchers"
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
among others
@@USCFlash - Fair enough, to each his own. Your excellent taste otherwise speaks for itself.
@@brettg274
thanks you have good taste too, like i said, i enjoyed Tombstone and it was entertaining and had some good lines (memorable ones) it just never struck me as "elite" or "masterpiece" level (though it was much more entertaining than the Costner version that came out the same time "Wyatt Earp".)
The YES/NO gag. Back in the day, it was common for big rigs to put YES on the left mudflap and NO on the right to let drivers know which side to pass. It's a pretty obscure reference.
That was Slim Pickens getting hit in the back of the head with a shovel.
A "Laurel and Hearty" handshake is a reference to the comic duo of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
Mel Brooks filmography in no particular order:
The Producers (1968)
The Twelve Chairs
Blazing Saddles
History of the World Part 1
Life Stinks
To Be or Not To Be
The Producers (2005)
Spaceballs
Young Frankenstein
Dracula: Dead and Loving it
Silent Movie
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
High Anxiety
Please watch them all
Lmao! During the fart scene you said "it's hurtin' my soul, man." 😅🤣😂
The orchestra playing the theme for the sheriff was the great Count Basie.
"Want more beans?" I have not recovered from that scene.🤣🤣🤣
"I'd say you had enough "
2 things you always know about Mel Brooks. He will push the envelope. And completely ignore the fourth wall🤣🥰
You are hilarious. "It's about to get dark in here" "Omar comin'" "That aint the Froggy. That's the Lizard"
Thanks
This movie deserves to be watched multiple times you notice something new everytime it's constantly throwing jokes and little details at you that get easily missed. Like how perfectly the theme song at the beginning encapsulates the message of the whole movie.
"He conquered fear
and he conquered hate
he turned dark night into day
He rode a blazing saddle
A torch to light the way"
Wish more creative's and movie makers had followed the example this movie set to handle the topics it took on.
Hahahahhaa!!!!! You got the sound of the shovel perfectly!!!
Slim Pickens was the guy who rode the A bomb in the movie dr strangelove
the yiddish cowboys lmao
"LOZ IM GEHNNNNNNNN"
The reason for the breathless. Voice..imitating Marylin Monroe
Mongo is portrayed by the late great Alex Karras, former defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions. He also went on to portray George Papadopolis on the TV show WEBSTER. He also portrayed Sheriff Wallace in the 1981 adult comedy film PORKY'S.
That was the Great Count Basie leading the band!
Young Frankenstein is Mel Brooks’s best film you should watch that next.
Mel Brooks directed Young Frankenstein as part of Gene Wilder's price for taking the role of Jim at the last minute. Wilder wrote YF, which is why there is no onscreen role for Brooks, and less fourth-wall breaking than is Brooks-normal.
First off, I love that you enjoyed the movie, and your reaction. It hilarious and couldn’t be made today.
As far as “Urbanite” goes, when Jim, aka Jim, aka The Waco Kid calls Bart a “Dazzling Urbanite”, it doesn’t specifically refer to black people. It means “a person who lives in/comes from/relates to a city”. Also, the word “Urbane” means a person who is sophisticated, eloquent, well-mannered, charming, elegant.
Jim’s just observant. He sees Bart’s fine deerskin Gucci suit and leather goods, gentlemanly conduct and charm, intelligence, he knows Bart isn’t a country-ass boy, and he basically says to Bart “Okay, what the F is a guy like you doing in a shithole like this?”.
Also, if no one has mentioned it, have you ever seen the 80s sitcom “Webster”, starring Emmanuel Lewis? The guy who played Webster’s godfather/adoptive father George Papadopolis, is the guy who plays Mongo in this movie.
Mel Brooks playing the Sioux chief speaking Yiddish parodies the fact that Jewish actors were often cast to play Native American characters in spaghetti western films.
There was something about people believing that Native Americans were descendants of a "lost tribe of Israel". I think that is what Brooks was referring to.
@@wiggion that’s Mormon doctrine. It’s possibly something he had in mind for this scene, but I think it’s more about the Jewish actors in westerns.
@@Metal_Auditor no problem. And we'd have to ask Mel Brooks himself to know for sure.
"They already stink!" Best comment I've heard.
Btw: thanks for not bleeping the slurs. I saw a little white girl do this, and she bleeped all the slurs. She was trying to be nice, but it misses the point of the film.
Doorman? That's Count Baise. That's like seeing Duke Ellington and asking if he's a waiter.
I didn't say he was a doorman lol. He high fived him as to say "im proud of what you become" to the sherif. I compared that to a doorman in a nice apartment who does the same to a black person that lives there.
One of the greatest movies ever made
that wasn't a doorman at the beginning of the film. That was a world-famous black conductor by the name of Count Basie.
4:04 "Look at at my man boogie'n right here!" Dude, that guy right there has ALWAYS been my favorite! Personally, I don't like to dance. So, when I get tired of people bugging me to get down at a party or the club, I always break out THAT dance, and everyone leaves me the hell alone.
Yes, many people were distracted by those pinballs....
Robin Hood Men in Tights
another mel brooks
This movie was a send up of the whitewashed western. A west without racism, rape or even gas. It came out when "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" were top shows and skewered them.
( I love that it's a town full of "Johnsons")
it was the first time farts were shown on screen, lol
I seen that Johnson thing but for some reason it didn't click until you put in quotations 😂😂
@@oddnoobian1123
In one of the meetings they let us know that the Johnsons once fought the Dix.
Right over my head lol
@@oddnoobian1123 Comedian Richard Pryor co-wrote the script for this film. Check out Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety and History Of The World Part 1, all Mel Brooks films. Happy 2021.
One of the funniest movies EVER!!
Heddy LaMar was a BEAUTIFUL actress from the 40s who was secretly a scientist. She helped develop wifi. Apparently she sued Brooks over the use of her name although he spelled it Hedley.
Madeline Khan was actually a great singer, it must've been hard for her to sing badly.
That was the joke, her singing badly.
Slim Pickens was the guy that got hit in the head with the Shovel, Mongo was played by Alex Karras he was a retired Pro Football player, he played for the Detroit Lions from 1958 to 1970
Not Jewish, Yiddish. "Don't do something stupid. Let them go!" He is a member of the tribe. :)
Just remember: If you're complaining about how "you couldn't make Blazing Saddles today", you're very likely exactly the kind of person Blazing Saddles was making fun of in the first place.
What a retarded take.
The background is the famous Vasquez Rocks just north of Los Angeles. Where many Westerns and Sci-Fi movies and TV shows are filmed.
The doorman! That's Count Basie!
Richard Pryor wrote the screenplay with Mel and was set to play the leading role. I believe he was cast in another film and the schedules conflicted.
A lot of people are sayin his drug problem was the reason. I know he was pretty bad off towards the end of his career. But this actor did a great job
@@oddnoobian1123 I had heard the studio wouldn't insure Pryor because he was considered too risky. It all worked out as Clevon Little was excellent as the sheriff and brought class and style to the role.
Distracted by these ping pong things my ass. Hahahahahhaa
You should watch Spaceballs, History of the World part 1. Those are both Mel Brooks classics!
This was actually the first movie to ever make a fart joke.
Yes/No is a reference to signage on the back of large trucks. Yes on the left, ie, yes, you can pass on that side. No, you can't pass on the right. Emphasizes the size of the ox.
It was truly mad to "see how many buttons we can push"! I think they did good!
@OddNoobian: FUN FACT - the actor who played "Gabby Johnson,"* Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr.; was also the actor who played the sadistic, brutal, sheriff's deputy - "Deputy Sergeant Arthur "Art" Galt" - in 'First Blood' ( 1982, first of the 'Rambo' movie series, ) ( credited as Jack Starrett. )
*"Gabby Johnson" was the frontier gibberish- speaking ( in the church meeting scene ) Rock Ridge townsperson, later you see him in the "Welcome Sheriff" scene, and then later in the fight scene between the bad guys and the townspeople ( knocking one of the baddies out with his boozy breath, ) then he's in the crowd of the townspeople at almost the end of the movie as the town says goodbye to "Sheriff Bart" ( Cleavon Little. ) Also - his name - "Gabby Johnson" was a play on words on the name of famed Western movie sidekick- playing actor George "Gabby" Hayes.
SPACEBALLS!!! Great movie