1. H-t Saddles (1974)
Blazing Saddles was the highest-grossing film of 1974 in the United States—$500 million today—to give you an idea of how smashing this irreverent comedy was starring a black sheriff (Cleavon Little) and an alcoholic gunslinger ( Gene Wilder) that definitely could not be released today. Not so much because it's offensive, but because no studio would be willing to finance it.
Richard Pryor was one of the writers when the producers, who did not trust his licentious ways, ruled him out for the leading role and his style shows in a script that is a real joy. Just for the fight scene where the fourth wall is broken and the actors sneak into the set of another movie, it would already be worth watching. And by the way, a fact as curious as real: this was the first film in which a fart sounded.
2. The crazy history of the world (1981)
This is the film that you should recommend to anyone who wants to get started in the world of Mel Brooks comedy. Although it is not one of his best-known titles, it is perhaps the most satisfying. Here the director was able to explore for the first time different eras, genres, and historical figures from the Stone Age to the French Revolution or the Spanish Inquisition without having to revolve an entire film around just one idea. This style based on long sketches fit perfectly with his humorous abilities, showing that he could find humor in practically anything.
The 'fake trailer' at the end of the film, announces a second part of this History of the World. Part I, which was obviously never filmed, led many viewers to believe that it was a real trailer, with the ensuing anger. And it was a shame because we were left without seeing the 'Jews in space' or 'Hitler on ice'. The line we all remember from this movie is "It's good to be king" and, appropriately enough, it did a lot to cement Mel Brooks' career as the king of comedy.
3. Young Frankenstein (1974)
When in 1974 Mel Brooks decided to adapt the horror classic Frankenstein in his own way in Young Frankenstein, which of course includes the great dialogue above, the director was in a phenomenal creative moment. In this version, Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder), grandson of the famous doctor, decides to return to Transylvania to prove that his ancestor was not so crazy. The film has a luxury cast formed among others by Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, and Gene Hackman, in a curious comic role.
Brooks insisted that the film be shot in black and white to suit the parody the parodied, and even used as props in the laboratory many of the same objects that had been used in the 1931 version of the original film. All to achieve one of the most classic comedies in movie history, which ranks number 13 on the American Film Institute's 100 Funniest American Movies of All Time.
4. The crazy story of the Galaxies (1987)
Joke for the joke, Spaceballs (let's admit that the original title is a million times better than the one chosen for Spain) is perhaps the funniest film by Mel Brooks, who parodies the original Star Wars trilogy. The film hit theaters four years after the release of Return of the Jedi, with galactic fashion somewhat waning, and perhaps for this reason it was not a great success at the time, although it is now a cult comedy. Two Toms, Hanks, and Cruise, turned down the lead role, which ended up going to Bill Pullman. Brooks also received the go-ahead from George Lucas to make the film and his company even handled the special effects.
Pick a single gag from the movie? There are so many and so good that it is impossible! Come on, if you force us, we'll take the scene in which the Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) asks them to "comb the desert" and two imperial soldiers appear with a giant comb, well, combing the desert. Perhaps of all Brooks' movies, this was the one that cried out for a sequel the most and they even joked in it with a second part that would be called Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money. Moranis had an even better idea, suggesting at the time that they make a third party directly, calling it Spaceballs 3: The Search for Spaceballs 2. But now that the actor has been retired for years and the director has already turned 93 summers, the idea doesn't seem very feasible.
5. The Producers (1967)
And for our favorite title from the director, we're going to turn to his debut, with a premise that is 100% Brooksian: a crooked Broadway producer (Zero Mostel) with the help of a shy accountant (Gene Wilder) plans to strike it rich by producing the biggest flop. of Broadway history. Every scene they share is a high comedy of the best quality and they got Brooks to win the Oscar for best screenplay, his only golden statuette. Ironically, it would later be adapted into a successful Broadway musical and later adapted back into a movie starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.
In 1967 it was not yet common to mention Hitler in a comic tone, but that did not stop Brooks from christening the musical that Bialystock and Bloom create as "the worst idea of all time for a play" Spring for Hitler, which was in fact going to be the original title of the film. The New York filmmaker has stated on more than one occasion that one of his missions in life was "to make people laugh at Adolf Hitler." Well, mission accomplished, Mel.
