Happy Birthday, Mel Brooks: He's 99 Years Young Today

When he was 14, Mel Brooks, began his career in show business as a comedian at several Catskill Mountain resorts north of New York City. After service in Germany in World War II - he dismantled booby traps and defused land mines among other duties - he returned home determined to establish a career in entertainment where he soon found himself enjoying writing more than performing. He honed that skill for several years on Sid Caesar's Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour. Around 1960 he teamed up with Carl Reiner, also a Caesar comedy writer, to develop a sketch that would make both of them famous.

Entitled "The 2000 Year-Old Man," the concept featured a comic Brooks as the old man being interviewed by Reiner as the straight man. Over fifty years the duo produced several recordings of the often ad lib sketches produced in studio as well as live on countless television programs. After this success and a move to Hollywood filmmaking wasn't far behind.

Today we wish the 2000 year-old man a very happy birthday. The performer, writer, director, producer, songwriter, and perpetually wacko comic personality is 99 years old. In his seventy year career he's brought us some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. And there's no end in sight either with his work in animated features and now rare television appearances. It's only a guess where his talents could emerge in the future.

Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974

His film career began with The Producers in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:

Blazing Saddles (1974) "Mongo only pawn...in game of life."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001 "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005 "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"

Young Frankenstein (musical) 2007 "He vas my boyfriend!"


The American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list has The Producers (1968), Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein ranked at #11, #6, and #13. Here is the unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

I think one reason why the 2000 year-old man is still laughing with us at 99 rests with the fact that the Mel Brooks on stage and film is most often the same man one finds in private life. How does he do it? I recall the many stories my National Park Service colleagues told of Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft. In the '70's and '80's they were frequent guests at Caneel Bay Resort inside Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. Known for playing practical jokes on the younger park rangers and resort staff during the day, Brooks and Bancroft hosted them at after-hours gatherings where hilarity ruled. Given the public comedy we know, one can only imagine the memories to come out of the spontaneity of such an evening. The world would be a far happier place if all of us could have more evenings like that.

Today, instead of laughing at the comedy and satire Brooks gave us over the years the political correctness of the day would rather smother it and insure we never produce it again. So unfortunate. Regardless, with the passing of Carl Reiner at 98 in 2020, we're looking at Brooks as the last man standing from a remarkable era of comedy entertainment in the US. Here's wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday. It's my hope that we can laugh at his wacko genius for years to come. 


For more information as well as a most entertaining read this summer I recommend Brooks's memoir published in 2021. Without a doubt it will leave you smiling.

But wait, there's more. Brooks has two new projects under developement. First, there is Very Young Frankenstein, a television series influenced  by his earlier film, Young Frankenstein, in 1974. A pilot is expected soon. The second project is Spaceballs 2, a sequel to his 1987 film, Spaceballs. The film is expected to be released in 2027.

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Here's Johnny! The King Of Late Night Television

Johnny Carson as Carnac the Magnificent

In light of the accelerating freefall of late night television at the hands of increasingly unfunny progressive democrat hosts and their managers it's a perfect time to mention Johnny Carson. He was born on this day in Corning, Iowa, in 1925. As an unbiased host - he was a liberal Republican in private life - of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for thirty years (1962-1992) he brought celebrity, entertainment, and his own brand of wacky comedy to millions of viewers. He was a major influence in the entertainment world and widely recognized as the king of late night television but his impact may never be well understood or appreciated because he led a shy, guarded, and oftened troubled life beyond the studio lights. A PBS American Masters documentary film by Peter Jones did much to open Carson's world to the public when it was broadcast in 2012 seven years after his death.

Here is a look at the master at work with his usual cast members and a host of notable entertainers and comedians. It's a one hour clip of the best of his first 25 years as host . If you watch the first ten minutes there's a good bet you'll watch the rest.

Without a doubt Johnny Carson does indeed remain the king of late night television. His final show in 1992 drew at least 55 million viewers. On an average night today around 9 million tune in, a number which exceeds today's top three late night shows (hosted by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel) combined. It's been 32 years since Carson left his late night show and he's still the king. I doubt that reign will end.

Mel Brooks At 98: Laughing All The Way

When he was 14, Mel Brooks, began his career in show business as a comedian at several Catskill Mountain resorts north of New York City. After service in Germany in World War II - he dismantled booby traps and defused land mines among other duties - he returned home determined to establish a career in entertainment where he soon found himself enjoying writing more than performing. He honed that skill for several years on Sid Caesar's Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour. Around 1960 he teamed up with Carl Reiner, also a Caesar comedy writer, to develop a sketch that would make both of them famous.

Entitled "The 2000 Year-Old Man," the concept featured a comic Brooks as the old man being interviewed by Reiner as the straight man. Over fifty years the duo produced several recordings of the often ad lib sketches produced in studio as well as live on countless television programs. After this success and a move to Hollywood filmmaking wasn't far behind.

Today we wish the 2000 year-old man a very happy birthday. The performer, writer, director, producer, songwriter, and perpetually wacko comic personality is 98 years old. In his seventy year career he's brought us some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. And there's no end in sight either with his work in animated features and now rare television appearances. It's only a guess where his talents could emerge in the future.

Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974

His film career began with The Producers in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:

Blazing Saddles (1974) "Mongo only pawn...in game of life."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001 "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005 "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"

Young Frankenstein (musical) 2007 "He vas my boyfriend!"


The American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list has The Producers (1968), Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein ranked at #11, #6, and #13. Here is the unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

I think one reason why the 2000 year-old man is still laughing with us at 98 rests with the fact that the Mel Brooks on stage and film is most often the same man one finds in private life. How does he do it? I recall the many stories my National Park Service colleagues told of Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft. In the '70's and '80's they were frequent guests at Caneel Bay Resort inside Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. Known for playing practical jokes on the younger park rangers and resort staff during the day, Brooks and Bancroft hosted them at after-hours gatherings where hilarity ruled. Given the public comedy we know, one can only imagine the memories to come out of the spontaneity of such an evening. The world would be a far happier place if all of us could have more evenings like that.

Today, instead of laughing at the comedy and satire Brooks gave us over the years the political correctness of the day would rather smother it and insure we never produce it again. So unfortunate. Regardless, with the passing of Carl Reiner at 98 in 2020, we're looking at Brooks as the last man standing from a remarkable era of comedy entertainment in the US. Here's wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday. It's my hope that we can laugh at his wacko genius for years to come. In fact I read earlier this week that he is about to start pre-production on a Spaceballs sequel.


For more information as well as a most entertaining read this summer I recommend Brooks's memoir published in 2021. Without a doubt it will leave you smiling.

The King of Late Night Television Still Reigns

Johnny Carson as Carnac the Magnificent

In light of the accelerating freefall of late night television at the hands of increasingly unfunny progressive democrat hosts and their managers it's a perfect time to mention Johnny Carson. He was born on this day in Corning, Iowa, in 1925. As an unbiased host - he was a liberal Republican in private life - of  The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for thirty years (1962-1992) he brought celebrity, entertainment, and his own brand of wacky comedy to millions of viewers. He was a major influence in the entertainment world and widely recognized as the king of late night television but his impact may never be well understood or appreciated because he led a shy, guarded life beyond the studio lights. A PBS American Masters documentary film by Peter Jones did much to open Carson's world to the public when it was broadcast in 2012 seven years after his death.

Here is a look at the master at work with his usual cast members and a host of notable entertainers and comedians. It's a one hour clip of the best of his first 25 years as host  . If you watch the first ten minutes there's a good bet you'll watch the rest.

Without a doubt Johnny Carson does indeed remain the king of late night television. His final show in 1992 drew at least 55 million viewers. On an average night around 9 million tuned in, a number which exceeds today's top three late night shows (hosted by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel) combined.

The Comedy Genius, Mel Brooks, Turns 97 Today

When he was 14, Mel Brooks, began his career in show business as a comedian at several Catskill Mountain resorts north of New York City. After service in Germany in World War II - he dismantled booby traps and defused land mines among other duties - he returned home determined to establish a career in entertainment where he soon found himself enjoying writing more than performing. He honed that skill for several years on Sid Caesar's Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour. Around 1960 he teamed up with Carl Reiner, also a Caesar comedy writer, to develop a sketch that would make both of them famous.

Entitled "The 2000 Year-Old Man," the concept featured a comic Brooks as the old man being interviewed by Reiner as the straight man. Over fifty years the duo produced several recordings of the often ad lib sketches produced in studio as well as live on countless television programs. After this success and a move to Hollywood filmmaking wasn't far behind.

Today we wish the 2000 year-old man a very happy birthday. The performer, writer, director, producer, songwriter, and perpetually wacko comic personality is 97 years old. In his seventy year career he's brought us some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. And there's no end in sight either with his work in animated features and now rare television appearances. It's only a guess where his talents could emerge in the future.

Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974

His film career began with The Producers in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:

Blazing Saddles (1974) "Mongo only pawn...in game of life."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001 "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005 "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"

Young Frankenstein (musical) 2007 "He vas my boyfriend!"


The American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list has The Producers (1968), Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein ranked at #11, #6, and #13. Here is the unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

I think one reason why the 2000 year-old man is still laughing with us at 97 rests with the fact that the Mel Brooks on stage and film is most often the same man one finds in private life. How does he do it? I recall the many stories my National Park Service colleagues told of Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft. In the '70's and '80's they were frequent guests at Caneel Bay Resort inside Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. Known for playing practical jokes on the younger park rangers and resort staff during the day, Brooks and Bancroft hosted them at after-hours gatherings where hilarity ruled. Given the public comedy we know, one can only imagine the memories to come out of the spontaneity of such an evening. The world would be a far happier place if all of us could have more evenings like that.

Today, instead of laughing at the comedy and satire Brooks gave us over the years the political correctness of the day would rather smother it and insure we never produce it again. So unfortunate. Regardless, with the passing of Carl Reiner at 98 in 2020, we're looking at Brooks as the last man standing from a remarkable era of comedy entertainment in the US. Here's wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday. It's my hope that we can laugh at his wacko genius for years to come.

For more information as well as a most entertaining read this summer I recommend Brooks's memoir published in 2021. Without a doubt it will leave you smiling.

Still The King Of Late Night Television

Johnny Carson as Carnac the Magnificent

In light of the accelerating freefall of late night television at the hands of increasingly unfunny leftist hosts and their managers it's a perfect time to mention Johnny Carson. He was born on this day in Corning, Iowa, in 1925. As an unbiased host - he was a liberal Republican in private life - of The Tonight Show for thirty years, 1962-1992, he brought celebrity, entertainment, and his own brand of wacky comedy to millions of viewers. He was a major influence in the entertainment world and widely recognized as the king of late night television but his impact may never be well understood or appreciated because he led a shy, guarded life beyond the studio lights. A PBS American Masters documentary film by Peter Jones did much to open Carson's world to the public when it was broadcast in 2012 seven years after his death. 

Here is a look at the master at work with his usual cast members and a host of notable entertainers and comedians. It's a one hour clip of the best of his first 25 years at The Tonight Show.  If you watch the first ten minutes there's a good bet you'll watch the rest of it.

Yes, Johnny Carson does indeed remain the king of late night television. Without a doubt. 

The Comedy Genius, Mel Brooks, Is 96 Years Old Today.

When he was 14, Mel Brooks, began his career in show business as a comedian at several Catskill Mountain resorts north of New York City. After service in Germany in World War II - he dismantled booby traps and defused land mines among other duties - he returned home determined to establish a career in entertainment where he soon found himself enjoying writing more than performing. He honed that skill for several years on Sid Caesar's Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour. Around 1960 he teamed up with Carl Reiner, also a Caesar comedy writer, to develop a sketch that would make both of them famous.

Entitled "The 2000 Year-Old Man," the concept featured a comic Brooks as the old man being interviewed by Reiner as the straight man. Over fifty years the duo produced several recordings of the often ad lib sketches produced in studio as well as live  on countless television programs. After this success and a move to Hollywood filmmaking wasn't far behind. 

Today we wish the 2000 year-old man a very happy birthday. The performer, writer, director, producer, songwriter, and perpetually wacko comic personality is 96 years old. In his seventy year career he's brought us some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. And there's no end in sight either with his work in animated features and now rare television appearances. It's only a guess where his talents could emerge in the future.

Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974

His film career began with The Producers in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:

Blazing Saddles (1974) "Pardon me while I whip this out."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001 "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005 "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"

Young Frankenstein (musical) 2007 "He vas my boyfriend!"


The American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list has The Producers (1968), Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein ranked at #11, #6, and #13. Here is the unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

I think one reason why the 2000 year-old man is still laughing with us at 95 rests with the fact that the Mel Brooks on stage and film is most often the same man one finds in private life. How does he do it? I recall the many stories my National Park Service colleagues told of Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft. In the '70's and '80's they were frequent guests at Caneel Bay Resort inside Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. Known for playing practical jokes on the younger park rangers and resort staff during the day, Brooks and Bancroft hosted them at after-hours gatherings where hilarity ruled. Given the public comedy we know, one can only imagine the memories to come out of the spontaneity of such an evening. The world would be a far happier place if all of us could have more evenings like that.

Today, instead of laughing at the comedy and satire Brooks gave us over the years the political correctness of the day would rather smother it and insure we never produce it again. So unfortunate. Regardless, with the passing of Carl Reiner at 98 in 2020, we're looking at Brooks as the last man standing from a remarkable era of comedy entertainment in the US. Here's wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday. It's my hope that we can laugh at his wacko genius for years to come. 

The 2000 Year-Old Man Turns 95 Today

Way back in the 1950s, Mel Brooks developed a comedy sketch with Carl Reiner, a comedy genius in his own right who passed away at 98 in 2020. The sketch, entitled The 2000 Year-Old Man, featured Brooks as the old man being interviewed by Reiner. Over fifty years the duo produced several recordings of the sketch and performed it live and on television countless times. 

Today we wish the 2000 year-old man a very happy birthday. The performer, writer, director, producer, songwriter, and perpetually wacko comic personality is 95 years old. In his seventy year career he's brought us some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. And there's no end in sight either with his work in animated features, occasional television appearances, and persistent rumblings of a Spaceballs sequel.

Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974

Brooks started in comedy in the Catskills in the late 1940's, became a television comedy writer and performer in the early 1950's, and graduated to film direction with The Producers in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:



Blazing Saddles (1974) "Pardon me while I whip this out."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001 "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005 "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"


Young Frankenstein (musical) 2007 "He vas my boyfriend!"


The American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list has The Producers (1968), Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein ranked at #11, #6, and #13. Here is the unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

I think one reason why the 2000 year-old man is still laughing with us at 95 rests with the fact that the Mel Brooks on stage and film is most often the same man one finds in private life. How does he do it? I recall the many stories my National Park Service colleagues told of Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft. In the '70's and '80's they were frequent guests at Caneel Bay Resort inside Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. Known for playing practical jokes on the younger park rangers and resort staff during the day, Brooks and Bancroft hosted them at after-hours gatherings where hilarity ruled. Given the public comedy we know, one can only imagine the memories to come out of the spontaneity of such an evening. The world would be a far happier place if all of us could have more evenings like that. 

Today, instead of laughing at the comedy and satire Brooks gave us over the years. the political correctness of the day would rather smother it and insure we never produce it again. So unfortunate. Regardless, we're wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday and hope to laugh at his wacko genius for years to come.

Mel Brooks Turns 94

Anyone want to guess which director has three of the top fifteen films on the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list? It's none other than Mel Brooks, performer, writer, director, and producer of some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes.

Brooks in a still from his super hit, Blazing Saddles, in 1974

Brooks started in comedy in the Catskills in the late 1940's, became a television comedy writer and performer in the early 1950's, and graduated to film direction with The Producers in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:

Blazing Saddles (1974) "Pardon me while I whip this out."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001 "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005 "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"

Young Frankenstein (musical) 2007 "He vas my boyfriend!"



Brooks has been entertaining us for over 65 years. He is so old that political correctness would keep several of his hits out of production today. But he has no plans to stop. What I find even more remarkable is the fact that the Mel Brooks in private is most often the same zany entertainer one finds in his films. I recall the many stories my National Park Service colleagues told of Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft. In the '70's and '80's they were frequent guests at Caneel Bay Resort inside Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. Known for playing practical jokes on the younger park rangers and resort staff during the day, Brooks and Bancroft hosted them at after-hours gatherings where hilarity ruled. Given the public comedy we know, one can only imagine the memories to come out of the spontaneity of such evenings.

Brooks has definitely left us with many memories over many decades. Who knows what's next for a comedian who is arguably the funniest man on the planet? Whatever it is I'm sure we'll be smiling.

Note: The American Film Institute list referenced has The Producers at #11 , Blazing Saddles at #6 , and Young Frankenstein at #13.

Happy birthday, Mel! May the schwartz be with you!

Mel Brooks Turns 93 Today

Today we're wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday. That performer, writer, director, producer, songwriter, and perpetually wacko comic personality known as Mel Brooks is ninety-three years old. In his seventy year career he's brought us some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. And there's no end in sight either with his work in animated features, occasional television appearances, and persistent rumblings of a Spaceballs sequel.

Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974

Brooks started in comedy in the Catskills in the late 1940's, became a television comedy writer and performer in the early 1950's, and graduated to film direction with The Producer's in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including the gems:

The Producers (1968) "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers."


Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (2005) "I'm not going into the toilet. I'm going into show business!"

Three of the films listed above, Blazing Saddles , The Producers (1968), and Young Frankenstein are ranked at #6, #11, and #13, respectively, on the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list. Quite an achievement for a sickly kid who got his start as a drummer at resorts in the Catskills.

In closing here is the unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

Yes, ridicule can be a powerful antidote for hate.

Happy 92nd Birthday To Mel Brooks!

Care to guess which director has three of the top fifteen films on the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies? It's none other than Mel Brooks, performer, writer, director, and producer of some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. Brooks was born in Brooklyn on June 28, 1926. He started in comedy in the Catskills in the late 1940's, became a television comedy writer and performer in the early 1950's, and graduated to film direction with The Producers in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:

Blazing Saddles (1974) "Pardon me while I whip this out."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001 "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005 "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"

The American Film Institute list referenced above has The Producers at #11 , Blazing Saddles at #6 , and Young Frankenstein at #13.

Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974

It's amazing to realize that Brooks has been entertaining us for over 65 years. He has no plans to stop. A musical production of Young Frankenstein is back in the news. What I find even more remarkable is the fact that the Mel Brooks on stage and film is most often the same man one finds in private life. How does he do it?   I recall the many stories my National Park Service colleagues told of Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft. In the '70's and '80's they were frequent guests at Caneel Bay Resort inside Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. Known for playing practical jokes on the younger park rangers and resort staff during the day, Brooks and Bancroft hosted them at after-hours gatherings where hilarity ruled. Given the public comedy we know, one can only imagine the memories to come out of the spontaneity of such an evening. Regardless, we're wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday.

And now, an unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

In today's PC environment I doubt we'll ever see comedy quite like this for a long, long time, if ever again. So unfortunate.

Happy 91st Birthday Wishes To Mel Brooks!

Anyone want to guess which director has three of the top fifteen films on the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list? It's none other than Mel Brooks, performer, writer, director, and producer of some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes.

Brooks in a screen still from his super hit, Blazing Saddles (1974)

Brooks started in comedy in the Catskills in the late 1940's, became a television comedy writer and performer in the early 1950's, and graduated to film direction with The Producers in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:

Blazing Saddles (1974) "Pardon me while I whip this out."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001 "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005 "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"

Young Frankenstein (musical) 2007  "He vas my boyfriend!"

Brooks has been entertaining us for over 65 years. He has no plans to stop. What I find even more remarkable is the fact that the Mel Brooks in private is most often the same zany entertainer one finds in his films. I recall the many stories my National Park Service colleagues told of Brooks and his wife, Anne Bancroft. In the '70's and '80's they were frequent guests at Caneel Bay Resort inside Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. Known for playing practical jokes on the younger park rangers and resort staff during the day, Brooks and Bancroft hosted them at after-hours gatherings where hilarity ruled. Given the public comedy we know, one can only imagine the memories to come out of the spontaneity of such an evening. 

Brooks has definitely left us with many memories over many decades. Who knows what's next for a comedian who is arguably the funniest man on the planet?  Whatever it is I'm sure we'll be smiling.  

Happy birthday, Mel Brooks!

Mel Brooks At 90

Today we're wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday. That performer, writer, director, producer, songwriter, and perpetually wacko comic personality known as Mel Brooks is ninety years old. In his seventy year career he's brought us some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. And there's no end in sight either with his work in animated features, occasional television appearances, and  persistent rumblings of a Spaceballs sequel.

Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974

Brooks started in comedy in the Catskills in the late 1940's, became a television comedy writer and performer in the early 1950's, and graduated to film direction with The Producer's in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including the gems:

The Producers (1968)   "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers."

Young Frankenstein (1974) "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976) "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977) "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981) "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987) "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (2005) "I'm not going into the toilet. I'm going into show business!"

Three of the films listed above, Blazing Saddles , The Producers (1968), and Young Frankenstein are ranked at #6, #11, and #13, respectively, on the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies list.  Quite an achievement for a sickly kid who got his start as a drummer at resorts in the Catskills. 

In closing here is an unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

Blazing Saddles! Mel Brooks Turns 89 Today

Mel Brooks in a still from Blazing Saddles, 1974.

Care to guess which director has three of the top fifteen films on the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Comedies?  It's none other than Mel Brooks, performer, writer, director, and producer of some of the finest comedy to grace the American stage, big screens in theaters, and the television screens in millions of our homes. Brooks started in comedy in the Catskills in the late 1940's, became a television comedy writer and performer in the early 1950's, and graduated to film direction with The Producer's in 1968. The rest is history, a laugh track of films including:

Blazing Saddles (1974)   "Pardon me while I whip this out."

Young Frankenstein (1974)   "Abby...Normal."

Silent Movie (1976)  "Non!"

High Anxiety (1977)   "Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup!"

History of the World Part I (1981)   "It's good to be the king."

Spaceballs (1987)   "May the schwartz be with you."

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)   "Actually Scarlet is my middle name. My whole name is Will Scarlet O'Hara. We're from Georgia."

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)   "I have been to many stakings - you have to know where to stand! You know, everything in life is location, location, location...."

The Producers (musical) 2001   "Will the dancing Hitlers please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Hitlers.

The Producers (film remake) 2005   "My blue blanket! Give me back my blue blanket!"


It's amazing to realize that Brooks has been entertaining us for over 65 years. He has no plans to stop. A musical production of Young Frankenstein is back in the news. What I find even more remarkable is the fact that the Mel Brooks on stage and film is most often the same man one finds in private life. How does he do it?  Regardless, we're wishing one of the funniest men on the planet a very happy birthday.

And now, an unforgettable three minutes and twenty seconds from the film he calls his personal favorite, the 1968 production of The Producers:

:

n.b.  The American Film Institute list referenced has The Producers at #11 , Blazing Saddles at #6 , and Young Frankenstein at #13.



Sources:

Photo: breitbart.com

Johnny Carson: The King Of Late Night Television

Johnny Carson as Carnac the Magnificent

In light of Jimmy Fallon and Dennis Miller already in place as new late night television hosts, and Steven Colbert taking on the same role at CBS in 2015, it's a perfect time to mention Johnny Carson, the King of Late Night. Carson was born on this day in Corning, Iowa, in 1925. As host of The Tonight Show for thirty years, 1962-1992, he brought celebrity, entertainment, and his own brand of wacky comedy to millions of viewers. He was a major influence in the entertainment world but his impact may never be well understood or appreciated because he led a shy, guarded life beyond the studio lights. A documentary film by Peter Jones did much to open Carson's world to the public when it was broadcast on PBS as part of the American Masters series in 2012.

Here is a look at the master at work with his usual cast members and a host of notable entertainers and comedians.  The clip, known as the famous "Lost Episode", is long but it's a first-rate example of Carson at his best.

And here is Carson as one of his most beloved characters, Carnack the Magnificent:

Jonathan Winters: The Passing Of A Great American Comedian

The text in this post originally appeared in 2012. The videos are a new addition.

Winters appearing on the NBC Comedy Hour in 1956

When OTR began his search for a comedian for this performance series, he thought at first that the honor belonged to Robin Williams. After watching what seemed like hours - enjoyable as ever - of Williams routines and interviews, he realized that this versatile comic owed so much to another comedy genius who is still with us but rarely performing. That individual is Jonathan Winters. In the last decade, he has appeared in and provided the voice of characters for a few films; otherwise, he is not well known to younger generations. To appreciate fully this remarkable talent, OTR's readers need to look back through the last fifty years of his career. Once they do, they will understand why Robin Williams has identified Winters as his mentor and inspiration.

So...if you want entertainment instead of warblers, screamers, low-rent vaudeville, obnoxious and over-rated pseudo-star panelists and eight minutes of commercials every half hour, here is something you can really enjoy:

Winters died today at age 87. He is indeed a treasure in the world of American comedy, and now he brings laughter to the angels.

Favorite Scenes From A Century Of Cinema - 4

This favorite scene comes from the 1968 release of The Producers. The films stars Zero Mostel at the height of his career and Gene Wilder in his first big role. Only the mind of the comedy genius, Mel Brooks, could produce something so dark, absurd, and hilarious. The film was Brooks's first attempt at directing. When asked to choose a favorite film from his long and notable filmography, he always says, The Producers.

Readers who have never watched this version are in for a treat.

Performance Perfection, Or: Why Television Talent Shows Don't Matter, Part 10

Jonathan Winters appearing on the NBC Comedy Hour in 1956

When OTR began his search for a comedian for this performance series, he thought at first that the honor belonged to Robin Williams. After watching what seemed like hours - enjoyable as ever - of Williams routines and interviews, he realized that this versatile comic owed so much to another comedy genius who is still with us but rarely performing. That individual is Jonathan Winters. In the last decade, he has appeared in and provided the voice of characters for a few films; otherwise, he is not well known to younger generations. To appreciate fully this remarkable talent, OTR's readers need to look back through the last fifty years of his career. Once they do, they will understand why Robin Williams has identified Winters as his mentor and inspiration.

So...if you want entertainment instead of warblers, screamers, low-rent vaudeville, obnoxious and over-rated pseudo-star panelists and eight minutes of commercials every half hour, you can enjoy this even if the art form is at the bottom of your list:

Winters turns 87 in a few months. He is indeed a treasure in the world of American entertainment.

Aviation In Film History: Airplane! (1980)

David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker  - the ZAZ team - wrote and directed this hilarious Paramount Pictures spoof of the disaster genre.  The year of its release, Airplane! soon became the third highest grossing comedy at the box office up to that date. Today, the film continues to climb high on several "best comedy" lists. It is 87 minutes of slapstick demanding careful attention through bouts of laughter and projectile popcorn. Full appreciation will require at least two additional viewings.

Airplane has a wonderful cast of characters; however, its stars, Robert Hays and Julie Haggerty, met with limited success in their subsequent film careers. That was not the case for three established actors, Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, and Robert Stack, who were acting in their first comedy roles. Nielsen's performance established him as a leading comedian, a role he later said he had always dreamed about. Bridges and Stack also saw a significant shift toward comedy in their future film appearances.

Aside from its place in film history as superb entertainment, Airplane! has influenced a new generation of comedy writers and directors. The best example of this impact is the team of Peter and Bobby Farrelly, the duo behind Dumb and Dumber (1994), There's Something About Mary (1998) and and many other laugh-makers.

Here's a taste of the madness:

Dom DeLuise

He died last night in Los Angeles. Dom was one funny guy. Here he is at his unbridled best as the director, Buddy Bizarre, in a clip from Blazing Saddles.