The undisputed standard-bearer of cinematic parody blows out 98 candles and is in better shape than ever. To celebrate Mel Brooks’ birthday, we’ve collected 5 hilarious quotes from his most famous films: do you know them all?
The histrionic comedian, in the century Melvin James Kaminsky, on June 28th he turned 98 and is living proof that laughing extends life. In almost 60 years of film career, Mel Brooks has made generations of spectators laugh and, in fact, has not stopped yet. His latest effort, dated 2023, is History of the World Part II. For the branded series Hulu – and Emmy nominee – the artist is an author, producer and narrator. That’s not all: on June 9th the director of High voltage received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 84th edition of Peabody Awards.
The art of laughter, for our almost centenary, has always been a real mission. “I knew I was born to be a comedian at the age of one week – he declared many years ago – when everyone looked over my crib and burst out laughing”. Given this important occasion, it therefore seems appropriate to recall some of the most famous quotes and funny cult films directed and/or interpreted by Brooks. An opportunity to make his fans smile and to encourage neophytes to discover an imaginary made of absurd characters and surreal situations, which not even the films of Alfred Hitchcock or the Dracula by Coppola.
Lupululà, Castello ululì – Frankenstein Junior
Let’s start with the very famous 1974 film, the most famous (and probably also the most beloved) directed by the brilliant author. Not everyone knows that Brooks often enjoyed lending his voice to feature films and animated shows. In the comedy Look Who’s Talking 2 is the voice of the terrible Toilet Monster and was also part of the voice cast of Mr. Peabody e Sherman (2014) and Hotel Tranylvania 2 (2015). In particular, in Frankenstein Junior, he recorded meows and howls in the background (he is therefore the ‘Lupululà’). Let’s be clear: the entire feature with the legendary Gene Wilder, masterpiece of comedy, it is a concentration of iconic quotes. From the hump of Igor (Marty Feldman) to the unnameable Mrs. Blücher (Cloris Leachman). Have you already wanted to (re)see it?
Break Your Neck! – To Be or Not to Be
Before jumping forward to 1983, let’s talk about love. The soul mate of Mel Brooksas is known, was the extraordinary Anne Bancroft, who passed away in 2005. The two met on the set of a television talk show. For him it was love at first sight and in 1964 he married her. The star of The bachelor appears briefly in Mel Brooks’ latest madness (Silent Movie, 1976), but the couple give us a stunning performance as a couple in To be or not to be (1983) by Alan Johnson. The remake of the masterpiece by Ernst Lubitsch To be or not to be (1942) is perhaps little known, but absolutely not to be missed. In the cast, there is also a young man Christopher Lloyd e Charles DurningThe latter, for the role of the Colonel Erhardtgot a nomination at the Oscar award.
Use Effort! – Spaceballs
Just a few days ago, we announced that Josh Gad will star in and produce the highly anticipated sequel to Amazon MGM Studios Spaceballs (1987), which will see Mel Brooks as co-producer. The parody of Star Warswith protagonist Rick Moranisis an operation that, in light of the current popularity of the saga, seems incredibly avant-garde. In SpaceballsHan Solo becomes Lone Star; instead of Chewbacca there is the dogman Ruttolomeo and Darth Vader is a carpet called Lord CascoThe director’s irreverent humor did not even spare the alien slug Jabba The Huttwhich, for the occasion, has the greasy features of dripping Pizza margherita (Pizza the Hutt, in original language).
A black sheriff? – Midday and Midday
Hard to forget Gene Wilder in the role of the drunken gunslinger Waco Kid. Half past midnight (1974) is a delirious parody of classic westerns with John Wayne e Gary Cooperas well as an irreverent satire on racism. When Warner Bros executives first saw it, they were shocked and deemed it ‘too vulgar’. “The public is vulgar,” Brooks replied. “They’ll love it!” And he wasn’t wrong. Moreover, his contract guaranteed him the final cut. So, little talk: he would have had his way. Impossible not to mention the final sequence of the film, between over the top gags, breaking the fourth wall, and the protagonists Bart (Cleavon Little) e Jim (Wilder) who, popcorn in hand, watch the end of their own film, shown at the cinema.
Now I’m counting down to ‘push’ – Robin Hood: A Man in Tights
The archer who steals from the rich to give to the poor (Cary Elwes), returned from the war, finds his faithful blind servant Bellosguardo (Mark Blankfield), but, in addition to his possessions, he lost his father, mother, brothers, his dog Pongo, his goldfish Goldie and his cat. Robin Hood – A Man in Tights (1993) is indeed a parody of the film genre of which Errol Flynn it is the face par excellence, but, in particular, it mimics a Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves (1991), played by Kevin Costner. At the time of making the comedy, Mel Brooks was already quite familiar with Robin at Locksley. By 1975, she had written and directed the hit series The daring adventures of Robin Hood against the hateful sheriff.
