Mel Brooks - High Anxiety
The Master of Comedy takes on the Master of Suspense! Mel Brooks paying tribute to Alfred Hitchcock? Amber Lewis of the Docking Bay 77 Podcast joins Jeff to discuss High Anxiety; starring Mel Brooks, Madeline Khan, Cloris Leachman, and Harvey...
Mel Brooks paying tribute to Alfred Hitchcock? Amber Lewis of the Docking Bay 77 Podcast joins Jeff to discuss High Anxiety; starring Mel Brooks, Madeline Khan, Cloris Leachman, and Harvey Korman!
For plenty of exclusive episodes and content, check out www.patreon.com/afilmbypodcast with a free 7-day trial!
Check out www.afilmbypodcast.com for more information.
Email us at afilmbypodcast@gmail.com with your questions, comments, and requests.
Find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @afilmbypodcast.
1
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:04.799
It is September. It is that
time of the season when I'm not ready
2
00:00:04.839 --> 00:00:08.000
to watch all the scary movies.
I want to ease into it with some
3
00:00:08.119 --> 00:00:13.400
thrillers, some mysteries. This is
where Alfred Hitchcock comes into play. Amber
4
00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:17.120
You got a favorite Hitchcock film or
what are some of your favorite Hitchcock movies?
5
00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:22.480
Oh my gosh, I have actually
this weekend been having a marathon of
6
00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:30.760
Hitchcock movies and it's it's hard to
pick a favorite, but I'm gonna go
7
00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:34.560
with notorious, notorious. Okay,
you said it's hard to pick a favorite.
8
00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:36.640
You give me, give me,
give me your like, your top
9
00:00:36.759 --> 00:00:40.640
What are your top three when it
comes to Hitchcock. My top three are
10
00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:47.719
well Notorious, obviously, Vertigo and
Rear Window. Oh, those are all
11
00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:53.280
excellent choices. I'll be honest.
I would love to talk about Hitchcock films.
12
00:00:53.640 --> 00:01:00.359
So why don't we talk about a
film by Mel Brooks, his nineteen
13
00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:34.640
seventy seven underrated classic High Anxiety.
Hello everybody, and welcome back to a
14
00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:42.480
Film by podcast. I'm Jeff Johnson, and you have probably noticed my co
15
00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:49.159
host Brad Kozo is taking some time
off, which means there are some changes,
16
00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:55.640
not unlike the changing of the drapes
in the Psychotic Game Room. I'm
17
00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:04.879
happy to welcome to the show Amber
Lewis of the Docking Base seventy seven podcast.
18
00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:07.520
Hello, Amber, Hey, I
am very excited to talk about this
19
00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:10.680
one. I know you, as
you know, I love Docking Bay seventy
20
00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:15.560
seven. You're kind of like the
voice of reason, I would say,
21
00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:21.000
so, I'm sure. I'm sure
all our listeners are curious. Amber,
22
00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:28.439
what's your sign? It's unlisted?
Oh perfect, that's absolutely perfect. So
23
00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:31.280
Amber, this is not your first
time that we've that we've talked. We've
24
00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:37.759
actually talked before. You did one
of our Lost nineteen eighty six episodes for
25
00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:42.639
Patreon. You were with me and
Andrew Blakeley when we discussed the Mosquito Coast.
26
00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:49.680
Yes, the great Uh we're over
Phoenix Harrison Ford. Yes, Yes,
27
00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:53.759
that is available on our Patreon.
I know you. You'll be joining
28
00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:59.000
me again this Saturday for another episode. The good news there, everybody,
29
00:02:59.319 --> 00:03:05.960
is that our Patreon is now offering
seven day free trials, So do not
30
00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:09.000
wait. Amber has got some awesome
things to say about the Mosquito Coast.
31
00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:15.719
You gotta go back and check that
out. Patreon dot com slash a film
32
00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:22.080
by podcast Now then Amber High Anxiety. Do you want to you want to
33
00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:28.240
let the listeners know what this movie
is about. Mel Brooks plays a famous
34
00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:36.639
psychiatrist who is taking over the head
position at a psychiatric facility, and there
35
00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:40.879
are some staff numbers there that aren't
too happy about that and are willing to
36
00:03:40.919 --> 00:03:46.639
go to great links to get him
out and get his job for themselves.
37
00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:52.479
So mel Brooks creates a satire that
combines the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud and the
38
00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:57.240
suspense of Alfred Hitchcock. And despite
this, it's got to be one of
39
00:03:57.240 --> 00:04:00.719
his most underrated films, right,
I would say so. I had never
40
00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:05.400
even seen it until you contacted me
about this episode of the podcast. Yeah,
41
00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:10.080
you know, mel Brooks, he's
just had such an incredibly long career,
42
00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:13.840
and you know, there's so many
of his movies that I think people
43
00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:15.439
tend to watch over and over and
over in at least I do. So
44
00:04:15.480 --> 00:04:20.439
I've seen Young Frankenstein like four thousand
times, but some of his other films,
45
00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:24.639
you know, not as much,
or you know, in this case
46
00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:28.000
at all. So I was surprised
to find out that he was such a
47
00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:32.120
Hitchcock fan, and that he wanted
to make this like kind of satire tribute
48
00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:38.040
film to a director he just considered. You know, we all considered to
49
00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:41.920
be a genius, but it's just
genius to genius. Yeah, this movie
50
00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:46.279
opens with the title card dedicated to
the master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock,
51
00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:50.519
and you're right, he loved hitch
and like you, I it was a
52
00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:55.439
long time before I saw this.
I actually several years ago they released the
53
00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:59.879
Melbrooks Collection. It has nine of
his eleven movies, and there were a
54
00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:01.720
and full of them. I had
never seen two of them I had never
55
00:05:01.720 --> 00:05:05.000
even heard of. And you know, it's one of those things where when
56
00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:08.879
you're when you're going through it,
it's like, you know, where's spaceballs,
57
00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:13.519
where's blazing saddles? Give me some
Robin Hood mennetits? And then I'm
58
00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:17.160
like, okay, what's high anxiety? And I was shocked to learn it's
59
00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:23.720
this this great Alfred Hitchcock homage slash
spoof and it became one of my all
60
00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:27.279
time favorites for mel Brooks. Let's
talk a little bit about the cast.
61
00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:32.480
Mel Brooks as doctor Richard H.
Thorndyke. Initially he wants Jean Wilder,
62
00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:39.360
who was unavailable at the time,
most likely working on a movie called The
63
00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:44.079
World's Greatest Lover. Have you have
you ever heard of? Okay, you've
64
00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:46.439
seen it. Okay, I have
not seen it, and from your reaction,
65
00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:51.120
I'm guessing I need to yea.
Yeah. Jean Wader writes, directs,
66
00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:56.000
and stars in it with Carol Kane
and Dom DeLuise. I'm in right
67
00:05:56.040 --> 00:06:01.600
there, so yes, but sadly
Jean not in for high anxiety. And
68
00:06:01.639 --> 00:06:05.000
when they're they're kind of talking,
they're workshopping it. Mel says, I'll
69
00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:08.079
do it. You know. His
buddies are kind of like they're trying to
70
00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:12.279
be nice. They're like, well, we're looking for a carry grant leading
71
00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:14.879
man type of guy. You know. He's like, no, I'll do
72
00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:18.839
it. Yeah, but maybe someone
a little taller and more handsome. He's
73
00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:25.480
like, I will do it.
So that's my really only quibble with the
74
00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:30.199
movie is I would love to see
what Gene Wilder would have done in that
75
00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:33.879
lead role. I think a little
bit of Mel goes a long way.
76
00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:41.680
I think he is misused as the
lead and being in like every scene.
77
00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:46.680
I love it when you get like
just a little hit of him. My
78
00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:51.120
favorite, all time, hands down, funniest performance he's ever given is in
79
00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:58.000
The Muppet Movie, Like I will
laugh until my stomach hurts. I mean,
80
00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:01.519
he's just so funny and it's just
that little cameo. So that was
81
00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:06.639
the thing for me that makes this
not one of my favorites is just there
82
00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:12.959
were other I think actors that could
have sold this lead a little better.
83
00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:18.040
Really, now, see that's that's
ironic because where I'm so used to seeing
84
00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:23.519
Mel do the cameos that he's always
accustomed to doing. I was really surprised
85
00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:26.720
when this one, when I see
this one for the first time several years
86
00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:30.240
ago and see that he's in it, he is the lead. I wasn't
87
00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:33.879
ready for that. I was it
was refreshing because I guess because it's something
88
00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:36.879
I haven't seen. I hadn't seen
before. And you're right, he is
89
00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:40.839
such a presence that you know,
he when he shows up, I mean
90
00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:43.600
he drops like a like a you
know, like a bomb, you know,
91
00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:47.160
and it's just like there's so much
so in this film. I think,
92
00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:49.879
I know he's walking a fine line, you know. He was really
93
00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:54.000
it was really important to him that
it's not just a full on comedy that
94
00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:57.279
he wanted to have this, you
know, the moments of suspense. He
95
00:07:57.319 --> 00:08:01.199
wanted to have the moments where there's
some lighter moments for him so well,
96
00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:07.480
And in preparing for this episode,
I've watched a lot of interviews with him
97
00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:11.199
and a lot of documentaries and things
like that, and he's so intelligent and
98
00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:16.680
so articulate. And the one thing
that comes across very strongly is and probably
99
00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:24.000
to the point that he only has
directed eleven movies, he really writes and
100
00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:28.240
makes movies about things that he feels
very strongly about, Yeah, and that
101
00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:33.960
he's really passionate about. So you
could tell that this was something that was
102
00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:37.600
just so important to him. Well, and it has to be because he's
103
00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:41.480
wearing so many hats in this right, I mean, he's starring in it.
104
00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:45.799
This is his first time producing,
it's his first time in a speaking
105
00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:48.840
leading role. You know. The
year before, in seventy six, he
106
00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:52.159
does Silent Movie, which you know
I'll be covering on Friday with Scott Hoffman
107
00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:58.879
for our nineteen seventy six series.
But he also goes beyond that because he's
108
00:08:58.919 --> 00:09:03.919
also credited as a composer and lyric
writer for the film's theme song, which
109
00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:07.480
he even performs in this Sinatra like
fashion, and I gotta say he's really
110
00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:13.960
good. Yeah, yeah, he
claims. He claims that several Vegas hotels
111
00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:20.480
try to sign him after seeing him
singing the movie, and that's scene aside
112
00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:22.919
from just being taken aback by the
fact that he actually can see he can't
113
00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:28.440
perform in that fashion. I love
the bit about Cincinnati where he mentions the
114
00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:33.200
big the big red machine. You
know, we're we're hometown, We're Cincinnati
115
00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:35.480
kids. So the first time I
saw that, I was like, yes,
116
00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:39.559
you know, I'm doing that kind
of cat skills. Yeah, talking
117
00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:43.080
to the crowd, you know,
Borscht Belt kind of thing. That was
118
00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:46.120
one of my favorite. Mom Oh
it's gold. Where are you from?
119
00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:52.440
Sin Tonai? Great town? Love
that big Red Machine. He's fantastic in
120
00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:56.919
it. But yes, he is
not nearly and I say this respectfully,
121
00:09:58.360 --> 00:10:03.159
he is not nearly as as fantast
as Madeline Cohn as Victoria Brisbane. Oh
122
00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:09.320
my gosh, everything she does,
My god, that woman was just amazing.
123
00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:13.559
This is This is her third of
four films with mel She's the leading
124
00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:18.559
lady, but doesn't appear until the
middle of the film. You know as
125
00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:24.960
like this this uh this film fatale
type role and that's it kind of harkens
126
00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.799
back to what Hitchcock would do.
You know. Sometimes his his leading lady
127
00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:31.440
wouldn't show up till the middle of
the movie. Sometimes they started the start
128
00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:39.879
of the movie and then they were
gone psycho exactly. But uh, I
129
00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:43.720
mean she has such a hilarious introduction
with when she meets him at his hotel,
130
00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:48.840
and that that heavy panting, you
know when she walks in the door.
131
00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:52.200
She's like, go back, go
in, go on, go reck,
132
00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:56.080
don't let any see you. Get
down lower. Oh, She's fantastic.
133
00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:58.919
That whole that, that whole that
what's your sign bit that they that
134
00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:03.840
they do. Yes, I think
he got her. I think he got
135
00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:09.440
her brand of talent and comedy in
a way that few other people did.
136
00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:11.919
Yeah, they talk about you know, when you when you look at some
137
00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:16.159
of the behind the scenes stuff on
this film, a lot of people involved
138
00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:20.759
talked about how her delivery makes it
funny, you know. They they talked
139
00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:24.720
about Madelon Khan finding the comedic moments
where people didn't even think to look,
140
00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:28.759
and she does it in this movie
when she meets mel Brooks in the in
141
00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:35.039
the park and she kind of has
that that hysterical moment where she's really just
142
00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:37.399
going off the rails. I kind
of feel like that's an early look at
143
00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:45.960
what she does in Clue as Miss
White that you know that flames sas Yes,
144
00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:50.960
deep, Yeah, she has like
that same kind of breakdown in this
145
00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:54.320
film, and I have to believe
that when she was doing Clue, they're
146
00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:58.639
like, yeah, we need something
like that, let's go for it.
147
00:11:58.120 --> 00:12:03.679
Let her just when she gets out
of the car and she's head to toe
148
00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:07.720
and Louis Vatton and then like you
realize that the car is shut wrapped and
149
00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:11.799
Louis Vatton like I died. Yeah, Like the first time you see her,
150
00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:16.799
she's got the purse, and then
the second time it's at that full
151
00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:20.840
on pant suit the car has you
know, yeah, I thought that was
152
00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:26.600
kind of weird. And that's that's
a joke at at the industry itself.
153
00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:33.399
Apparently this was a time in Hollywood
when you had to be very careful about
154
00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.919
name brands showing up in the film. Wasn't as you know, it wasn't
155
00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:39.159
as acceptable as it as nowadays.
So Brooks is like, if I'm going
156
00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:43.240
to do it, I'm I'm going
all in on it, right. Speaking
157
00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:50.200
of going all in, Cloris Leachman
as Nurse Diesel, A little bit of
158
00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:52.480
her for me goes a long way. She can be a little much for
159
00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:56.399
me. But what sells it is
Harvey Corman. Oh gosh, yeah,
160
00:12:56.600 --> 00:13:01.200
the two of them together just yeah, yeah, well we'll tell yeah,
161
00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:05.000
because he was the only one I
want to talk about him playing doctor Charles
162
00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:11.399
Monty. But but Chloris Leachman is
equal parts hilarious and horrifying in this movie.
163
00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:16.159
I like, first time I've seen
it, I would like, uh,
164
00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:18.360
like I might be the guy that, you know, when the lights
165
00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:20.840
are out, I might, for
a minute had that fear of like,
166
00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:24.840
you know, like I'll see like
a vision of like the Exorcists, like
167
00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.639
Linda Blair or something in my head
that you know, like that kind of
168
00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:33.200
scares me. Yes, Nurse Diesel
became that that that that I don't want
169
00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:37.240
to be alone in the dark type
of type of fear. Brooks gives her
170
00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:41.799
carte blanche basically to develop the role, and in addition to ad libbing a
171
00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:46.440
lot of dialogue with Harvey Corman,
it's her idea to smear the lipstick on
172
00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:50.919
her teeth and and uh, you
know that faint little mustache she has that
173
00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:56.759
creeps little details. I love that
she came up with that. Yeah,
174
00:13:56.919 --> 00:14:00.679
I'm relieved that she came up with
it because the first time I saw this,
175
00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.360
and I'm watching it on a high
I'm watching a Blu ray on a
176
00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:11.480
high def LED TV and I see, I see it well, and I
177
00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:16.519
was I was immediately like saddened,
as like, was this poor woman aware
178
00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:24.440
that this was gonna show up and
come on? So it's it's it's it's
179
00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:28.320
a relief to know that that was
her doing that stuff on purpose. Even
180
00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:33.240
the voice that she uses where she
speaks through those gritted teeth, she got
181
00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:37.320
that. She says she got that
from from Ed Sullivan. She was trying
182
00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:41.320
to basically trying to imitate, what
how the way he talked and when you
183
00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:43.440
hear when you think back to his
now that I think about it, I
184
00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:48.000
can see it. It's yeah,
it's right there. You mentioned Harvey Corman,
185
00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:50.240
another one of Mel's go to actors. This is his second of four
186
00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:54.360
films with Mel. You know,
he did Blazing Saddles High Anxiety, History
187
00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:58.559
of the World Part One, and
then his one of his last ones was
188
00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:01.960
Dracula Dead and Loving It ninety five. The banter that they have him and
189
00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:09.159
him and Chloris Leachman. It's their
own little movie. Yes, like they're
190
00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:13.200
just doing their own thing the whole
time. That he that mel Brooks is
191
00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:16.639
in San Francisco, and the mystery
is is, you know, unraveling for
192
00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:20.600
us. I can't help but wonder, like what's going on back at the
193
00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:26.440
at the at the at the at
the psychiatric place, because what are those
194
00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:30.600
two up to? What are they
plotting? Yeah, they're Oh, they're
195
00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:33.519
fantastic. I mean you have to
expect that from him. I mean what
196
00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:37.919
he did, like what ten fifteen
years on the Carribournette Show, so his
197
00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:41.639
comedic timing is is perfect as well
well. And I kind of felt like,
198
00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:46.960
speaking of the Carol Burnette show he
did, he and Carol Burnette did
199
00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:52.759
that Alfred Hitchcock movie Rebecca. They
did a spoof and that and he played
200
00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:56.320
maximum de Winter and I got like
a hint of that in this movie.
201
00:15:56.440 --> 00:16:00.600
I'm like, I think he's doing
a shade of that a little bit,
202
00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:03.320
right. Yeah, that's that's a
great movie too. We covered we covered
203
00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:07.720
that one a while ago. Rebecca. If anyone hasn't seen that. That's
204
00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:11.960
a that's a definite classic on YouTube. I just watched it the other day.
205
00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:15.600
It's available on YouTube. I am
one of the suckers, Like when
206
00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:21.840
Criteria, the Criteria Collection releases a
movie and it's okay, well it's Rebecca,
207
00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:26.120
so how good can it look?
But you're here's my money because like
208
00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:30.559
on all the all the back behind
the scenes stuff, it's you know,
209
00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:36.320
yes, I'm in I'm in for
it. Let's talk a little bit about
210
00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:40.240
the background in this movie. So
Mel, you know, I know we've
211
00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.720
talked about him being a huge fan
of Hitchcock. He wants to do the
212
00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:47.759
film that you know, walks the
line between parody and homage. He goes
213
00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:52.519
so far as to get his director
photography to ensure camera setups and the lighting
214
00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:57.399
are what Hitchcock would use. Like
he talks a little bit about this behind
215
00:16:57.399 --> 00:17:00.159
the scenes, he's like, yeah, you know, typically I'm not as
216
00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:04.599
involved with the cinematographer. But I
was really a pain in the butt because
217
00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:07.000
I was just like, wait,
wait, is this an angle that Hitchcock
218
00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:10.799
would use? Is this you know, because there's you know, we talked
219
00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:15.839
about Hitchcock at the beginning of this
and there are so many aside from just
220
00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:21.400
uh spoofs and parodies that are kind
of taken from Hitchcock movies. There's a
221
00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:23.359
lot of there's a lot of camera
setups, there's a lot of angles.
222
00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:27.480
You know, this film feels like
an Alfred Hitchcock movie, so much so
223
00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:33.000
that Hitchcock even said I wish I
would have made this so yes, but
224
00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:38.160
also like done with just an incredible
amount of hilarity, like when they're shooting
225
00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:45.160
up through the glass coffee table,
keep moving the saucers and kept up the
226
00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:48.480
camera like, Yeah, at first
you kind of don't get what's going on,
227
00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:52.960
and then when you realize it's hysterical. Yeah, is it helped me
228
00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:56.720
out? Is that? Is it
notorious or was it spellbound that that had
229
00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:00.279
that weird angle? I think that
was notorious? Was it notorious? I
230
00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:03.599
think you're I think that's what it
is too. Uh yeah, because it's
231
00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:08.720
you're like, wow, this is
a clever angle. Yeah, It's like
232
00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:14.079
you're like I kind of felt my
head like like moving, you know,
233
00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:18.880
trying to see around it. I
love it. I'll talk about a photo
234
00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:25.640
confidence though. Mel sends the script
over to Hitchcock Hitchcock enjoys it so much
235
00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:30.559
he invites Brooks over for lunch.
He offers him notes on using his movies,
236
00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:34.319
and he even suggests a joke that
he comes up with. Have you
237
00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:37.839
heard that? Have you heard about
this? That they music because it reads
238
00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:42.680
it hysterical. Yeah, so you
know the idea that Hitchcock gives him,
239
00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:45.119
you know, he says, hey, you know, it'd be great.
240
00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:49.519
You know, if Thorndyke is running
away from either the police or the killer,
241
00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:55.039
let him jump, you know,
dramatically jump off the dock onto a
242
00:18:55.119 --> 00:19:02.119
boat. Only to realize that the
boat is docking. Yeah, that was
243
00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:04.680
such a great gag, you know
what. It works though, And it
244
00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:07.839
did work because we've seen this.
I don't know if you remember this.
245
00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:12.000
Incidentally, that exact joke is in
Weekend of Bernie's in nineteen eighty nine.
246
00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:17.880
Oh my gosh, I know I've
seen Weekend of Bernie's maybe once. Yeah.
247
00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:21.039
They get invited out to Bernie's house
and they see that they're missing the
248
00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:23.000
ferry and they're like, come on, we can make it. And the
249
00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:26.200
one guys like, oh, we're
not gonna make it. And Andrew McCarthy's
250
00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:30.440
like, we're gonna make it,
and they do this just crazy hero dive
251
00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:33.400
off the off the dock onto the
boat, and then they get up and
252
00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:38.359
they see that the boat's docking.
Yeah, it works, It totally works.
253
00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:42.839
And that's something that I read that
I thought was interesting because I think
254
00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:47.799
one of the problems that I had
with the movie too was I feel like
255
00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:52.119
he should have picked just one,
okay, one Hitchcock movie to do and
256
00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:56.519
maybe throw in like a little wink
to another movie, kind of like Spaceballs
257
00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:59.920
was a Star Wars movie. Yeah, but then like you have the alien
258
00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:03.599
gag, Okay, you know that
kind of thing. But one of the
259
00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:11.119
Roger Ebert's review mentions that Hitchcock movies
are hysterical, Like he had a very
260
00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:15.880
subversive sense of humor. So it's
not surprising that he came up with like
261
00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.240
a really good gag for this movie
because there are a lot of different points
262
00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:26.119
where he marries that suspends that tension
with something completely you know, hilarious.
263
00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:33.079
Hitchcock was a funny individual. I
just don't think audiences are conditioned to watch
264
00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:37.920
a Hitchcock movie planning planning to laugh. So it's almost like when you when
265
00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:42.039
you when you do catch yourself laughing. You kind of feel guilty because you
266
00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:45.880
don't. I just watched the guy
you get stabbed. I should not be
267
00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:48.920
laughing at this, But that was
funny. Yeah, there's Yeah, hitch
268
00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:52.480
had some moments where you you kind
of had to stifle some laughter here and
269
00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:56.759
there. Here it's it's this is
like, this is the for me.
270
00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:59.799
It's the Hitchcock movie where you're allowed
to laugh as much as you want.
271
00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:03.720
Right, Good, speaking of some
funny moments, and I know we'll talk.
272
00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:07.519
We'll talk about some laugh out loud
moments here. Shortly, Mel hires
273
00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:11.799
the same animal trainer that Hitchcock used
for the birds to train the pigeons for
274
00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:18.960
the yeah, the pigeon. The
pigeon scene that that spoofs the birds.
275
00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:22.480
Uh you mentioned that poop? Oh
my gosh, that scene. The FX
276
00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:27.839
guys use mayonnaise and chopped spinach to
create the pigeon poop. It was very
277
00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:33.079
effective. It was because like that's
that's one of those moments where I feel
278
00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:36.440
my I find myself I'm laughing,
and then as it as the joke goes
279
00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:40.880
on, I'm starting to get a
little repulse. Like Lord forbid, anyone
280
00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:45.039
is eating, like any kind of
dip. You know, you're snacking on
281
00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:49.160
chips and dip. You know,
No, that's not the scene for you
282
00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:53.000
at all. Let's take a short
break and then when we come back,
283
00:21:53.079 --> 00:22:00.799
we'll talk about some We'll talk about
some laugh out loud moments. Okay,
284
00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.240
Jason, test of our friendship,
which is better Van Halen or Van hagar
285
00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:07.000
Man? Honestly, I think Van
hagar has better music. Oh no,
286
00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:08.079
no, no, no, it's
Van Hampy. You're wrong. What about
287
00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:12.279
Michael Jackson's bad album versus Michael Jackson's
thriller out thriller obviously best seller ever.
288
00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:15.680
No, no, see, people
tricked themselves and believe that it's actually bad.
289
00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:19.519
Okay, Trading Places versus Coming to
America. Trade Places is the funnier
290
00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:22.880
movie out of this this dw No, We're Coming to America is the funniest
291
00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:27.440
movie of all time. So if
you find yourself backing one of us or
292
00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:30.839
the other of us, you need
to be listening to the Shirley You can't
293
00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:33.599
be serious podcasts. That's right.
We have a friendly discussion. D and
294
00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:36.279
I are best buddies, and we
take a deep dive and look at the
295
00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:38.720
behind the scenes stuff, the history
and the fun facts of all these wonderful
296
00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:41.720
movies and music from our youth.
It's really just an opportunity for us to
297
00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:45.119
geek out about the things that we
really loved growing up. For example,
298
00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:48.839
do you know the actor that was
in Star Wars, Batman eighty nine and
299
00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:52.759
Raiders of the Lost Ark Chris Harrison
Ford. Harrison Ford wasn't in Batman?
300
00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:55.240
Oh yeah, Billy d Williams.
Billy D Williams was not in Raiders of
301
00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:56.680
the Lost Stark. Who was it? Well, you've got to tune in
302
00:22:56.720 --> 00:23:00.720
to the Shirley You Can't Be Serious
podcast when we discuss Raiders have Lost Dark
303
00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:03.680
Dresses back to the future to find
out the answer. Now, Jeff,
304
00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:07.079
you know I love my extras and
my bonus features. Now, are you
305
00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:11.680
ready to offer some to our listeners? Absolutely, Brad. That's why we've
306
00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:18.599
launched via film by Patreon. Starting
for as little as three dollars, you
307
00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:22.880
can become a production assistant to receive
a film by merchandise and gain access to
308
00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:27.319
our exclusive content. That's right.
Each month, we'll be offering up everything
309
00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:33.519
from episodes about our favorite actors to
audio commentaries of our favorite and not so
310
00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:37.039
favorite movies. And for you fans
of the familiar, we've got a nice
311
00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:41.079
surprise, right Jeff, That's right, brad Our Patreon is the only place
312
00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:47.279
you'll get access to the lost nineteen
eighty six episodes. We're covering twenty more
313
00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:51.759
movies from nineteen eighty six, and
we've got some of our favorite guests joining
314
00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:57.160
in. Now. You mentioned merchandise
stickers, t shirts, our new color
315
00:23:57.319 --> 00:24:03.279
changing stadium cups exclusive to the Patreon. So join today and get down on
316
00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:10.279
all the great bonus content. Hi, I'm dating the host of the docu
317
00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:15.400
based seventy seventh podcast. We talk
about everything from Anthrax to the Muppets to
318
00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:18.440
West Side Story. All right,
boys, buckle up, because we have
319
00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:23.559
hit the bottom of the barrel.
Because he slaughters all the Tuscan Raiders.
320
00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.880
The fact that she stays by his
side, that that tells me everything I
321
00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:30.599
need to know about these women that
write letters to the serial killers in prison.
322
00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:36.160
You know, it makes it made
sense. You know Moby Young Sad
323
00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:41.680
always dumped Tim. That was the
theme song. You know when you listen,
324
00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:48.079
Tim, did you have the volume
on? The witches are definitely much
325
00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:55.359
more nightmare fuel, But the fact
that they look like the Texas Chainsaw centerfolds.
326
00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:57.839
If Jango Fett is so awesome,
he's hired to be cloned. Why
327
00:24:57.880 --> 00:25:02.759
the hell isn't he doing job?
You like, my client's getting impatient?
328
00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:04.119
Well then what you slack ass mother? Why won't you do it? You
329
00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:10.640
know you're just check us out on
Apple podcast, Good Pods, pod Bean,
330
00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:19.039
or wherever you get your podcasts.
We are back with Amber Lewis from
331
00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:26.240
the Docking Base seventy seven podcast and
we are talking about mel Brooks high anxiety.
332
00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:33.319
Amber one more thing before we talk
about some funny stuff. Apparently the
333
00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:41.119
term high anxiety was created by mel
Brooks and is now used today to describe
334
00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:47.799
individuals that suffer from anxiety but manage
daily life quite well, that's so interesting.
335
00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:51.920
That's that's really interesting. Where art, you know, or life is
336
00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:56.880
imitating art. I think that was
kind of cool. But so many,
337
00:25:56.279 --> 00:26:00.880
so many fun moments in this movie. But I gotta I gotta say,
338
00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:04.359
watching this recently again, there are
still there's there's a couple of moments where
339
00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:10.559
I catch myself literally laughing out loud. Any any scene like that come to
340
00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:12.680
mind for you? Or I know
there's gotta be a couple, right,
341
00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:18.279
I was gonna say, I have
a list actually kind of lowbrow, but
342
00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:22.960
I cannot help myself. The very
in the very opening, when he's in
343
00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:30.160
the limo headed to the institute and
there's dramatic music playing, and then he
344
00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:33.480
looks over and there's a beust next
to him with the symphony in the music,
345
00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:38.359
I fell out. I died.
It was so good. Oh it's
346
00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:41.680
hilarious. But but a night.
I know he's done it before. It
347
00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:45.960
so well A not to the composer
too, though, And I apologize for
348
00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:48.240
not knowing his name or her name
off the top of my head. But
349
00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:52.960
this is a great score on this
movie, you know, so so much,
350
00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:56.400
so much. Well, the music
they were playing in that moment was
351
00:26:56.440 --> 00:27:00.119
Giselle, but still okay, yeah, but but yes, the rest of
352
00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:03.559
the music is really the film score
is fantastic, so much to the point
353
00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:07.599
that when you when you have the
blue ray of this and I'll talk about
354
00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:11.200
this later, but one thing I'll
tell you right now, there's the you
355
00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:15.400
have the option of the isolated film
score soundtrack. So if you just want
356
00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:18.640
to watch the movie with just the
film score. I love when movies when
357
00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:22.119
when blue rays do that, Oh
it's fantastic. Well, I'm gonna give
358
00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:27.200
a shout out to my man Dayton
Johnson because I missed all this fun stuff
359
00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:33.720
because I strained it and I didn't
have the Blue Ray, so you got
360
00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:37.599
all the cool stuff. Yes,
yes, as Dayton reminders of physical media
361
00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:44.680
is better than streaming. Yes,
yes, let me let's uh, I'll
362
00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:49.000
throw one at you. The fruit
cup scene with Cloris Leachman and Harvey Corman,
363
00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:56.160
The way she says fruit yeah when
he yeah, when Melbrooks when his
364
00:27:56.240 --> 00:28:03.519
character first arrives to the institute and
you get this this horrifying nurse character that
365
00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:08.880
she plays. She's it's weird because
she's very staunch about the whole Dinner is
366
00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:12.440
at eight and if you're late,
you would not get a fruit cup.
367
00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:19.200
And you're like, okay, but
that moment was for the inmates. Yeah,
368
00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:25.240
yeah, there's Yeah. The staff
is at dinner and here comes Harvey
369
00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:29.480
Corman and he's like kind of you
know, shuffling down the steps and they
370
00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:32.680
you know, clearly he's the last
one at the table, but the bell
371
00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:37.880
has rung and the waiter like picks
up his fruit cup and leaves, and
372
00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:44.599
Corman does this great physical comedy where
he like gets down and gets his you
373
00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:48.680
know, gets his napkin and grabs
his spoon and like just scoops up air
374
00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:52.720
before he realizes that there's no fruit
and he's like, I'm thirty seconds late.
375
00:28:55.440 --> 00:29:02.160
And Chloris Leachman, Oh my god, the way she it's like tantalizing,
376
00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:08.519
which is yeah, he's leaning in
because yeah, and then she just
377
00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:14.559
just flips the spoon back into her
mouth and slurps it up. H just
378
00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:19.039
it's it's disgusting and it's hilarious and
I cannot get enough of that scene.
379
00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:22.880
Love that one. I actually was
already laughing in that scene because I love
380
00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:29.599
when they're panning in from the outside
into dinner and the camera crashes into the
381
00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:33.559
window. Yeah, the camera is
kind of a character in this movie when
382
00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:38.079
you think about it. When it
because they we get that little bit of
383
00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:44.160
a fourth wall break where the camera
sometimes goes too far or goes it gets
384
00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:48.839
too close, and then the characters
react to it. Yeah you're yeah,
385
00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:52.519
you're out. You're absolutely right.
You're already laughing at that at that dinner
386
00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:57.200
scene. But man, the fruit
cup really really tease it up. You
387
00:29:57.240 --> 00:30:02.359
get another one, Yeah, I
have a couple more but okay, lay
388
00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:08.359
him on me. The Psycho scene
with the newspaper in the shower, like
389
00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:15.960
the way that he first of all
like takes it too He does it almost
390
00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:19.680
shot for shot from the original movie, but like takes it too far where
391
00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:26.599
like he's like really going at it
with the soap and like like just forever.
392
00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:30.279
And then the guy comes in with
the newspapers like here's your paper,
393
00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:37.079
yeah, Dennis the bell Boy,
and then definitely swirling in the DC Oh
394
00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:38.440
my god, Yeah, this is
definitely one for me, Dennis the bell
395
00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:41.920
Boy. They kind of they take
their time. Mel Brooks takes his time
396
00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:48.079
setting up this joke because he checks
into the hotel and the bellhop is like,
397
00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:49.319
all right, anything, I guess
I'll stake a new He's like,
398
00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:52.720
yeah, can you give me a
paper newspaper? He's like sure. They
399
00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:56.759
get up to the room and he's
like, oh, where where's my paper?
400
00:30:56.799 --> 00:31:03.039
And he's like alright, like he
asked, like what he's really put
401
00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:07.480
out, you know, and then
he's like, what's I get your stupid
402
00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:11.640
paper? And then he gets back
downstairs and Dennis, mister Thorndyke is asking
403
00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:15.680
for his paper. He's like,
oh, you know, he's the dude's
404
00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:18.440
freaking out. So when he comes
back up and you already know what's happening
405
00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:26.599
because mel Brooks does that gratuitous shower
scene, which is hilarious because it's,
406
00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:30.519
yeah, he's over, he's just
lathering up, and you get that classic
407
00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:34.119
shadow and the guy has rolled up
the newspapers like here's your paper, and
408
00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:41.279
he's just jamming it at him.
Yeah, the the the newsprint, ink
409
00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:47.559
swirl going down the tub drain.
Uh in a perfect, you know,
410
00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:52.279
shot for shot remake of Gently's murder
scene and Psycho. I love that moment.
411
00:31:52.799 --> 00:32:00.359
It's hilarious. But the fact that
he was so diligent to make it
412
00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:05.880
as authentic as he could. My
understanding is that Anthony Perkins, when he
413
00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:10.279
first saw this movie, the shower
scene obviously is his favorite scene, but
414
00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:14.880
it's because of the like you mentioned
that the ink going down the drain,
415
00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:20.720
he just thought mel Brooks is a
genius for doing that, and I agree
416
00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:25.079
with him. Uh, Dennis the
bellboy, that's that's a you know who?
417
00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:30.400
That is right? No, Oh, you're in for a treat.
418
00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:36.799
I'm gonna I'm gonna through a couple
couple names. I'm gonna through a couple
419
00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:40.000
of titles at you and you tell
me if you've seen him, because some
420
00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:43.160
of them, I well, some
of I know you've seen. In one
421
00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:46.640
in particular, I know you love
classics. How about this, you know,
422
00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:54.119
classic film, Diner, classic baseball, classic, the Natural? Oh
423
00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:59.720
my god, how about this one
one of your favorites, Young Sherlock Holmes.
424
00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:05.799
Yes, Good Morning Vietnam. Oh
who doesn't love that movie? Yeah?
425
00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:09.279
How about rain Man? Oh?
I love rain Man. Yeah.
426
00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:15.559
Okay, So all these movies I've
just given you, those are directed by
427
00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:21.599
Barry Levinson. And Barry Levinson is, in fact the guy playing Dennis the
428
00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:28.440
bub Boy. I saw he had
a writing credit, yeah, which I
429
00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:30.920
was like, oh my god,
little baby Barry Levinson, like, yeah,
430
00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:36.240
talking about learning at the feet of
a master. Yeah, gosh yeah,
431
00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:38.880
but but oh my god, that's
him. I gotta watch it again.
432
00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:43.839
Yeah. Some of these, some
of these iconic movies that we have
433
00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:46.240
seen over the past couple of decades
that you can quote. They're so quotable.
434
00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:50.680
I know, and you know not
that Young Sherlock Holmes is overly quotable.
435
00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:53.839
But I know when this kind of
hit, uh steelbook release not too
436
00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:57.680
long ago, I know we were
all talking like, oh, I got
437
00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:59.640
it, you know, and I'm
getting it and I want it. Yes,
438
00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:04.240
yeah, But what's one of those
movies that you know you loved as
439
00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:08.000
a kid and then you watch it
again and you're like amazed at how well
440
00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:12.119
it holds up and how well it
was made. And yeah, I'll tell
441
00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:15.119
you right now, we have not
done an episode on Barry Levinson, but
442
00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:17.079
but if we do, I kind
of feel like we need to do young
443
00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:21.360
Sherlock Holmes. And I'm telling you
right now, I want you back for
444
00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.840
that one. So oh yeah,
heck, we'll have to have you back
445
00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:27.199
for that one. I have a
funny, funny story for that one too
446
00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:30.440
for you. Oh okay, all
right, we'll save it because in the
447
00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:34.760
I think we're gonna make that happen. Then awesome, So let's do a
448
00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:38.280
little background about mel mel Brooks before
you get we get into his philmography.
449
00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:44.039
Amber. I'll tell you typically i'll
spend a good, you know, four
450
00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:46.159
or five minutes here kind of kind
of kind of talking up the director.
451
00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:50.960
But it's mel Brooks, right,
So I'm going to hit you with a
452
00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:58.599
couple of highlights before we move on. Melvin James Brooks born Melvin Kaminski on
453
00:34:58.719 --> 00:35:04.039
June twenty eighth, ninth, teen, twenty six, means he recently celebrated.
454
00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:07.119
Yeah, he recently celebrated his ninety
seventh birthday this year. Look at
455
00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:12.639
all the things he's seen. Yes, well, I liked that you you
456
00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:17.239
say that because shortly after starting out
as a comic writer for Sid Caesar's Variety
457
00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:24.360
Show, he serves in World War
Two as a combat engineer and participated in
458
00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:30.800
the Battle of the Bulge. That
is one of the biggest, most brutal
459
00:35:30.840 --> 00:35:34.440
war battles that you know. I
mean, how many movies have they made.
460
00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:36.840
It's it's a part of every war
film that we see about World War
461
00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:43.719
Two. Mel Brooks was there,
which just blows my mind. After the
462
00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:47.199
war, he begins improvising comedy routines
with Carl Reiner, who you know,
463
00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:51.960
obviously the director of Summer School,
which we covered, and the father to
464
00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:54.679
director Rob Ryner. Yeah, we
did, we did, and we even
465
00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:59.719
did Rob Brenner episode Man. All
kinds of spinoffs on this this one,
466
00:35:59.320 --> 00:36:01.159
right. Yeah, but he you
know, and he had worked with Rob
467
00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:07.400
or Rob, he had worked with
Carl on the Sid Caesar Show. Amber
468
00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:13.000
he is one of the very few
people to have the egott as it's as
469
00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:16.519
it's called yes for the for listeners
if you don't know what an egot is,
470
00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:21.679
that's when someone gets an Emmy,
a Grammy, an Oscar, and
471
00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:25.280
a Tony. And it's so rare
that it happens that there are literally like
472
00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:28.519
a handful of people that have done
it, and mel Brooks is one of
473
00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:34.320
them. I'm gonna we could talk
all night about his illustrious career. I
474
00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:37.320
mean, we're talking about a career
that has spanned over seven decades. So
475
00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:42.280
rather than do that, I'm gonna
tell everybody right now. And I know
476
00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:47.960
you and I talked about this a
week ago. On Max there's an HBO
477
00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:51.960
original documentary. It's like an hour
and ten minutes long, but it is
478
00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:59.239
packed to the gills. It's called
mel Brooks Unwrapped and it just provides you
479
00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:04.159
an amazing look at this guy's career. Well, and I'm going to counter
480
00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:07.760
that also, it is a great
documentary. I had just watched it right
481
00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:13.679
before we hopped on here. It's
spectacular. But even better than that.
482
00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:20.000
Also on Max is his conversation with
Dick Cavett. Oh I didn't know that,
483
00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:23.920
And yeah, he Dick Havitt is
just one of the great interviewers,
484
00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:30.159
just has a great flow and a
great way of like pulling information out of
485
00:37:30.199 --> 00:37:36.719
people. Carl Reiner is on that
show as well, and it's just a
486
00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:43.960
great, hilarious conversation. And then
also on Netflix, the Jerry Seinfeldt show
487
00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:50.559
Comedians and Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry
does an episode with Carl Reyner and mel
488
00:37:50.599 --> 00:37:57.360
Brooks who eat dinner together every night
on TV tres watching Jeopardy, which I
489
00:37:57.440 --> 00:38:01.400
just think is the greatest thing ever. And these two just bouncing it back
490
00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:06.000
and forth, like Jerry just looks
like a kid in a candy store.
491
00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:09.079
Oh he's gotta be right. Uh, I'll tell you that. The idea
492
00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:15.079
of those two their their friendship and
and just dinner every night, that could
493
00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:19.760
have been That could have been an
unscripted reality show. Yeah I would have.
494
00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:23.800
I would have been glued. Oh
what a genius idea because the whole
495
00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:28.639
two thousand year old man bit.
Yeah, it's just the two of them
496
00:38:28.800 --> 00:38:35.199
started goofing around in the rider's room. Yeah exactly. Let's talk about this
497
00:38:35.239 --> 00:38:43.199
band's impressive but the but small.
Philmography nineteen sixty seven, his feature film
498
00:38:43.239 --> 00:38:51.599
debut, The Producers. Oh my
god, I to this day when Springtime
499
00:38:51.679 --> 00:38:55.679
for Hitler comes on, I just
cry, like it is so funny.
500
00:38:57.119 --> 00:39:01.920
Mm hmm. This one. I
mean the Melbrooks collection that I got,
501
00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:08.559
this one is sadly not in it. Like it's it's missing two movies from
502
00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:13.119
his whole phmography and this is one
of them. And it just it pains
503
00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:15.559
me. But I wonder if it
has something to do with because of the
504
00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:20.239
Broadway show or it must there's gonna
be some kind of rights issue. Yeah,
505
00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:23.480
something something, something's going on.
But man, if you think about
506
00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:28.400
it, a movie that funny and
then one of the great like Broadway shows
507
00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:34.760
like Massive hit Oh, and think
about even back in sixty seven, think
508
00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:38.400
about how controversial it was, you
know, like there was a lot of
509
00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:42.519
studios that were like, yeah,
we're not doing this right, you know,
510
00:39:42.719 --> 00:39:45.400
and this is this is this is
this is mel Brooks. Like,
511
00:39:45.800 --> 00:39:47.639
Hey, I've got a lot of
clout because I'm a television guy behind the
512
00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:52.719
scenes. This is not the Melbrooks
that you and I know. So the
513
00:39:52.760 --> 00:39:55.920
idea that it even got made is
this when it got made was is astounding
514
00:39:55.960 --> 00:40:02.760
to me. But what a fantastic
one less fantastic. Three years later he
515
00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:06.119
does with it. With the money
he makes from the producers, he does
516
00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:10.039
a film called The Twelve Chairs in
nineteen seventy. I've never even heard of
517
00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:14.159
it. This is okay. So
this is one of those where I was
518
00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:16.199
like, I mentioned that there's a
couple of movies in this collection that I'm
519
00:40:16.239 --> 00:40:19.920
like, you know, I've never
heard of this movie, or what is
520
00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:24.880
this movie? Yeah, I uh, I gotta be honest, it's one.
521
00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:28.320
And I was like, just even
looking at you know, I know,
522
00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:30.360
yes, you shouldn't judge a book
by its cover, but like,
523
00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:34.800
just looking at the DVD cover art, I'm like, I watch it sometime.
524
00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:42.280
Twelve Chairs not one of his better
films, you know, yeah,
525
00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:45.519
not not really successful. I'll tell
you one thing though, that makes this
526
00:40:45.599 --> 00:40:51.079
movie a must watch if you're especially
if you're Mail Brooks like a completist.
527
00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:58.760
It has a a very young Franklin
Jella like he it's it's yeah, it's
528
00:40:58.760 --> 00:41:07.840
mel Brooks Franklin, Angela and Dom
DeLuise and uh Man and and well who
529
00:41:07.840 --> 00:41:13.960
else is there is Marty Feldman from
Young Frank's Yeah, So but yeah,
530
00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:17.760
Franklin Jella is I don't know what
he's like. It is early twenties maybe,
531
00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:22.320
like he's have you ever seen have
you ever seen Darby O Gill and
532
00:41:22.360 --> 00:41:24.960
the Little People? Oh? Yes, that is anual watching in our house.
533
00:41:25.039 --> 00:41:29.360
Yeah, every every Okay, Okay, so sat Patrick's day. Remember
534
00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:32.199
the first time you saw it and
you were blown away by the young,
535
00:41:32.360 --> 00:41:37.719
strapping Sean Connery, little baby Sean
Connery singing away. So that's that's the
536
00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:42.840
that's the vibe you get with Franklin
Jella because you're like, holy cow,
537
00:41:42.920 --> 00:41:45.360
like look at frankl Angella, like
he is like he could have played a
538
00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:50.599
superhero like he That's that's the kind
of bill that he has. This is
539
00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:55.800
nineteen seventy okay, because it's like
four years later he did Dracula with Sir
540
00:41:55.880 --> 00:42:01.039
Lawrence Olivier. Yeah, and we
referred to this as the Sexy Dracula.
541
00:42:01.440 --> 00:42:05.760
But you would you would not mind
if he should. You'd be like,
542
00:42:05.840 --> 00:42:08.880
it's fine, okay, Oh yeah, you have Frankly and Jela. You
543
00:42:08.880 --> 00:42:12.800
could get it, all right,
I'll tell you what ember you might you
544
00:42:12.880 --> 00:42:17.480
might. Yeah, it's it's a
it's a unique story. You know.
545
00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:21.920
I won't I won't spoil it for
you, but the story we all know.
546
00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:28.039
Four years later, he's he's back
with Blazing Saddles, Oh my god,
547
00:42:28.119 --> 00:42:35.039
taking on racism like nobody has before
since. Yeah, this is this
548
00:42:35.079 --> 00:42:37.880
is one of those movies where I've
never seen it. Remember, like growing
549
00:42:37.960 --> 00:42:43.400
up, you'd see an R rated
movie on TBS or you know whatever,
550
00:42:44.039 --> 00:42:45.960
and they would have to cut a
bunch of stuff that change them. You
551
00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:51.519
know that they changed the words to
different words. I couldn't even imagine,
552
00:42:52.039 --> 00:42:57.199
you know, I wouldn't. I
wouldn't. I truthfully, I wouldn't because
553
00:42:57.800 --> 00:43:01.320
even today, you know, the
way our society is, like, you
554
00:43:01.360 --> 00:43:07.679
could never make Blazing Saddles today.
Oh good god. No. But for
555
00:43:07.719 --> 00:43:12.960
reasons I can't even explain. This
is still a beloved movie. We still,
556
00:43:13.000 --> 00:43:15.639
we still laugh at it. We
still you know, it's one of
557
00:43:15.679 --> 00:43:19.800
those like now, like like a
streaming platform they show it, but then
558
00:43:19.840 --> 00:43:22.559
you get the warning label like,
hey, this is not politically correct.
559
00:43:22.840 --> 00:43:29.360
You know, this is like cancelable
though that's even a word, like you
560
00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:31.519
can't you can't cancel mel Brooks,
can't you? Yeah? I don't think
561
00:43:31.559 --> 00:43:38.719
so. I think you appreciate what
he was trying to say and yeah in
562
00:43:38.719 --> 00:43:43.559
your face, like, yeah,
this is a this is a must watch.
563
00:43:44.039 --> 00:43:46.199
Uh, it's one of it's one
of his best, you know,
564
00:43:46.679 --> 00:43:52.360
it's it's definitely in the top fantastic. This is his first time working with
565
00:43:52.679 --> 00:43:59.039
Gene Wilder, and he's got the
uh the double shot here because also in
566
00:43:59.079 --> 00:44:04.519
nineteen seventy four he's got Jean Walder
back in Young Frankenstein. Oh my god,
567
00:44:04.599 --> 00:44:09.079
I love that movie so damn much. Like would this be your favorite
568
00:44:09.119 --> 00:44:16.079
you think? Or yeah, probably, I mean even just for the train
569
00:44:17.239 --> 00:44:22.840
station scene with Gene Wilder and Malan
Cohn, like yep, the hair,
570
00:44:22.039 --> 00:44:28.159
the hair, Like I can't even
like, I love this movie so much
571
00:44:28.280 --> 00:44:34.159
and so quotable, so funny.
I almost love it better than you know,
572
00:44:34.280 --> 00:44:37.079
the original Frankenstein. It's but it's
weird. It's this is one of
573
00:44:37.079 --> 00:44:40.920
those where I know a lot of
people when in this time of year rolls
574
00:44:40.960 --> 00:44:45.320
around and you have a love for
the universal monsters. I know a lot
575
00:44:45.360 --> 00:44:50.760
of people do like the trilogy.
They you know, and it's it's Frankenstein,
576
00:44:51.199 --> 00:44:54.159
Brida Frankenstein, and then Young Frankenstein. Yes, I love that.
577
00:44:54.800 --> 00:45:00.679
Yeah, and you would think it
doesn't work, but it works, especially
578
00:45:00.719 --> 00:45:02.960
when you think about some of the
weird stuff happening in Brighter Frankenstein. That's
579
00:45:04.000 --> 00:45:07.840
a that's that one's an excellent bridge
between Frankistein and young Frankistein. So I
580
00:45:07.920 --> 00:45:14.920
recommend doing doing that fun little trilogy
two years later. Its nineteen seventy six.
581
00:45:15.159 --> 00:45:17.320
We won't talk a whole lot about
this because I want to save it
582
00:45:17.400 --> 00:45:22.800
for this Friday when when Scott shows
up. But he does something called silent
583
00:45:22.840 --> 00:45:27.440
Movie. You have you seen this
one. I've seen parts of it,
584
00:45:27.519 --> 00:45:31.239
I've never seen the whole thing.
The idea that he can take a gimmick
585
00:45:31.280 --> 00:45:38.320
like this in nineteen seventy six and
sell it and make it work is astounding.
586
00:45:39.239 --> 00:45:44.519
Whether you like the movie or you
don't like it. The idea that
587
00:45:44.559 --> 00:45:49.400
we're we're getting a silent movie,
you know, straight up silent film in
588
00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:53.000
nineteen seventy six. It's you know, it's just it's mind blowing. I
589
00:45:53.039 --> 00:45:57.159
love that kind of risk taking.
Though. I'm going to take this,
590
00:45:57.719 --> 00:46:00.599
you know, weird idea and just
die. I've ran it in If it
591
00:46:00.599 --> 00:46:06.440
doesn't work. This this rexa director, you know, but it doesn't wreck
592
00:46:06.480 --> 00:46:10.119
mel brooks Uh. We've been talking
about high anxiety. A couple of years
593
00:46:10.199 --> 00:46:15.719
later, back to Controversy History of
the World Part one. I remember the
594
00:46:15.719 --> 00:46:22.400
first time I saw this. It
was probably early eighties. You know,
595
00:46:22.480 --> 00:46:25.039
I'm like eight nine years old.
It's on TV. You know, we're
596
00:46:25.079 --> 00:46:29.920
watching HBO or Cinemax or something like
that, and I kind of turned it
597
00:46:30.000 --> 00:46:37.519
on during the uh the Gregory Hines
harem scene. I watched it too young,
598
00:46:37.679 --> 00:46:42.440
like, I think a lot of
the jokes went over my Oh yeah.
599
00:46:40.880 --> 00:46:47.119
I remember being confused, and then
you know, years later, I
600
00:46:47.159 --> 00:46:54.039
was like, oh now, I
ah, now I understand. Uh yeah
601
00:46:54.079 --> 00:46:58.639
again this is this is one of
those It's classic mel Brooks. It's it's
602
00:46:58.679 --> 00:47:00.079
a lot of fun. You know, he rounds up a lot of people
603
00:47:00.079 --> 00:47:04.519
that he's worked with it before.
You know, Harvey Corman's back, and
604
00:47:04.559 --> 00:47:08.000
then he's with he's with new people
like Gregory Hines, and it's fantastic.
605
00:47:08.360 --> 00:47:17.320
Nineteen eighty seven Spaceballs, oh my
other absolute favorite. You know, mel
606
00:47:17.400 --> 00:47:22.800
Brooks said, you can't do good
satire unless you love the thing that you're
607
00:47:22.800 --> 00:47:29.840
making fun of. And you can
just tell he loves the industry that he's
608
00:47:29.880 --> 00:47:32.239
in, He loves movies, he
loves watching him. He lives, making
609
00:47:32.280 --> 00:47:42.199
him really respects other filmmakers, and
I mean, I think just takes the
610
00:47:42.199 --> 00:47:45.239
wind out of Lucas's sales in such
a loving way. Yeah, well,
611
00:47:45.280 --> 00:47:50.840
you know, you got it right
there, he respects other filmmakers. The
612
00:47:50.920 --> 00:47:52.559
idea, you know, and this
I know this story has been been heard
613
00:47:52.559 --> 00:47:58.400
before, but the idea that he
approaches, George says, you know,
614
00:47:58.440 --> 00:48:00.119
he fells. He tells him like, hey, I want to do a
615
00:48:00.199 --> 00:48:05.960
send up of Star Wars and you
know the main character. And Lucas is
616
00:48:06.000 --> 00:48:09.320
all for it, but he's like, hey, he can't look like Han
617
00:48:09.360 --> 00:48:13.920
Solo. You can't let him dress
like Con Solo. Like that's the one
618
00:48:14.559 --> 00:48:20.559
weird stipulation that George Lucas has.
Yes and no, yeah, no merchandise
619
00:48:20.679 --> 00:48:24.239
and no Han Solo for your lead. So what's what's meld? He turns
620
00:48:24.360 --> 00:48:30.119
right around and he makes a joke
about merchandising in the movie and his his
621
00:48:30.239 --> 00:48:35.400
lead character does not look like Han
Solo but does in fact dress a lot
622
00:48:35.440 --> 00:48:42.280
like Indiana Jones. That is just
him just jabbing George Lucas, but in
623
00:48:42.320 --> 00:48:47.639
a fun way, like hey,
I did what you said us? Yeah,
624
00:48:47.880 --> 00:48:52.800
yeah, spaceballs for me, It's
got to be the most quotable Melbrooks
625
00:48:52.840 --> 00:49:00.760
movie because I to even you know, even today, I still will randomly
626
00:49:00.800 --> 00:49:02.199
quote it, not even thinking that
I'm quoting it. You know, it's
627
00:49:02.480 --> 00:49:07.519
it's a part of the Spaceball's dialogue. The Spaceball's script is just it's part
628
00:49:07.519 --> 00:49:10.920
of American culture, pop culture.
It's it's ingrained us. You know.
629
00:49:12.119 --> 00:49:15.880
Yes, I think it hit it
just the right time. Oh gosh,
630
00:49:15.039 --> 00:49:22.880
dude, that was Yeah, because
his next three movies they're not on that
631
00:49:22.039 --> 00:49:27.639
level of like Spaceballs is or you
know, young Young Frankenstein is nineteen ninety
632
00:49:27.679 --> 00:49:30.719
one. He does a movie called
Life Stinks. Truthfully, I have not
633
00:49:30.800 --> 00:49:35.400
seen this one. I haven't either. I remember it from my Blockbuster video
634
00:49:35.519 --> 00:49:42.480
days, like the trailer being on
the video that you had to run showed
635
00:49:42.519 --> 00:49:46.719
all the trailers and that sort of
thing. But I don't think i've ever
636
00:49:46.760 --> 00:49:50.679
seen this one. I don't know
that you're gonna you're gonna care for this
637
00:49:50.679 --> 00:49:55.880
one because he's back in the lead
role and this one just doesn't work for
638
00:49:55.920 --> 00:50:01.159
me. Yeah. So he's he's
a filthy rich businessman and that's a corporate
639
00:50:01.280 --> 00:50:05.760
rival that he can live on the
streets of la without the comforts of home
640
00:50:05.960 --> 00:50:09.639
or money, which proves to be
tougher than he thought, and almost tell
641
00:50:09.679 --> 00:50:15.079
me that that just reading that sounds
like it's kind of like a trading places
642
00:50:15.280 --> 00:50:19.320
kind of a thing happened. Yeah, down in Beverly Hills. Yeah,
643
00:50:19.360 --> 00:50:23.480
exactly, like there was kind of
a run of those. Yeah. I
644
00:50:23.519 --> 00:50:25.840
don't know. It's not part of
that box set. I don't know if
645
00:50:25.880 --> 00:50:30.840
I'll ever get around to seeing it. But what is in the box set.
646
00:50:30.880 --> 00:50:34.960
The last film in the Melborough's collection
box set is, in fact,
647
00:50:35.119 --> 00:50:42.360
nineteen eighty three's Robin Hood Men and
Tights. I'm gonna ask you point blank,
648
00:50:43.119 --> 00:50:47.400
is this better than than the Kevin
Costner Robin Hood or the Sean Connery
649
00:50:47.480 --> 00:50:51.599
Robin Hood or the Errol Flynn Robin
Hood? Like where do you amber?
650
00:50:51.639 --> 00:50:58.239
Where do you rank Robin Hood?
Minnetits against the other giants. I would
651
00:50:58.239 --> 00:51:01.519
say, I really really love the
Kevin Costner Robin Head. I gotta say,
652
00:51:01.599 --> 00:51:06.960
like the things was it the summer? Like I think he saw it
653
00:51:07.039 --> 00:51:10.800
like three times in the theater,
So yeah, I would put it right
654
00:51:10.800 --> 00:51:16.119
behind that. Though, Okay,
you would not be wrong. It is.
655
00:51:16.159 --> 00:51:22.000
It is so good. I actually
watched that last night and h and
656
00:51:22.159 --> 00:51:23.480
I was like, yeah, you
don't want I want something I want to
657
00:51:23.800 --> 00:51:28.840
I just want a dumb comedy.
Yeah, let's let's see Robin hood.
658
00:51:28.880 --> 00:51:32.400
I haven't you know we're talking.
We're talking about Bob Brooks tomorrow. Let's
659
00:51:32.400 --> 00:51:38.840
why not? Yea, yeah,
it is Richard Lewis just the absent minded
660
00:51:40.239 --> 00:51:44.320
prince that he plays like. He's
Yes, it's not that he's the villain,
661
00:51:44.360 --> 00:51:49.760
but he's he kind of is he's
not aware that he is. Tracy
662
00:51:49.880 --> 00:51:54.400
Ullman as the Witch is I crack
up laughing every time she's on the screen.
663
00:51:55.920 --> 00:52:00.559
And uh, I always forget that
Dave Chappelle was in this, you
664
00:52:00.599 --> 00:52:07.920
know this is this is like yeah, he plays uh a chew you know?
665
00:52:08.559 --> 00:52:14.400
So yeah, I love this one
man. It's it's it's a lot
666
00:52:14.440 --> 00:52:16.719
of fun. I don't know that
I would put it, you know,
667
00:52:17.199 --> 00:52:20.639
I don't know how i'd rank it
as high as like top three, but
668
00:52:20.719 --> 00:52:27.199
it's it's in the conversation. Maybe
yes, it's got some fun. Uh
669
00:52:27.280 --> 00:52:30.920
what did you think? Two years
later he does he does his last currently
670
00:52:30.960 --> 00:52:38.960
his last film, Dracula Dead and
loving it. Just the title, it's
671
00:52:39.079 --> 00:52:47.960
hilarious. I didn't actually watch this
I was burnout on Leslie Nielsen m because
672
00:52:49.000 --> 00:52:57.159
we had had like what six or
seven naked gun Well, well police acappy
673
00:52:57.239 --> 00:53:00.239
we did, but he you know
he did, uh he did the show
674
00:53:00.880 --> 00:53:02.960
please squad, and then we had
I think was there three? I thought
675
00:53:02.960 --> 00:53:07.559
there was only three there. I
know I was being a smart Sorry,
676
00:53:07.679 --> 00:53:14.079
Okay, I was like, am
I missing some naked gun movies? But
677
00:53:14.199 --> 00:53:19.440
yeah, I mean I like Airplane? Yeah, but that's kind of like
678
00:53:19.960 --> 00:53:22.960
and then I'm done, Okay,
you know. So yeah, I never
679
00:53:23.000 --> 00:53:27.440
did see Dracuilla Dead and loving it, but I probably would like it because
680
00:53:27.440 --> 00:53:30.800
I love Dracula and I like things
that make fun of Dracula. As Wow,
681
00:53:31.360 --> 00:53:37.320
we'll check it out. It's uh, it's streaming on to Be right
682
00:53:37.320 --> 00:53:40.480
now. I think if it's not
to be, it's Pluto, or maybe
683
00:53:40.480 --> 00:53:44.400
it's both of them. But I
know I watched this one. Yeah,
684
00:53:44.480 --> 00:53:45.000
I know, I watched this one
a couple of days ago, and it
685
00:53:45.039 --> 00:53:49.800
was either to Be or Pluto.
So so head head to those two.
686
00:53:50.199 --> 00:53:54.840
But to your point, Leslie Nielsen, he's he's maybe the greatest spoof actor
687
00:53:55.280 --> 00:54:00.559
and mel Brooks is the greatest spoof
director, so this should have been a
688
00:54:00.599 --> 00:54:05.119
no brainer. This should have made
all the money. It didn't know,
689
00:54:05.559 --> 00:54:07.719
and it's really not that well received. You know, I don't know,
690
00:54:07.760 --> 00:54:12.760
it's it's fun, but I think
the problem is and you kind of you
691
00:54:12.800 --> 00:54:15.639
kind of alluded to this. You
know, we hit a point where we're
692
00:54:15.679 --> 00:54:20.400
kind of over the spoof the satire
comedy movies. They you know, they're
693
00:54:20.440 --> 00:54:22.559
not hitting the way they used to. And this is nineteen ninety five when
694
00:54:22.559 --> 00:54:25.519
this movie comes out. I'm telling
you, if this movie would have come
695
00:54:25.559 --> 00:54:29.639
out in the eighties, I think
it would have been a massive hit for
696
00:54:29.679 --> 00:54:34.000
him. That's interesting. Well,
you know, sometimes you run out of
697
00:54:35.039 --> 00:54:38.760
Halloween movies to watch and you don't
want to watch necessarily something really gory.
698
00:54:38.800 --> 00:54:44.440
So that'll be a fun one to
turn on. Yeah, I think you'd
699
00:54:44.440 --> 00:54:47.000
have some fun with it. My
only what if to it, This is
700
00:54:47.000 --> 00:54:50.400
a situation where Dracula dead loving it. If we could have had it in
701
00:54:50.400 --> 00:54:53.559
the eighties and he could have teamed
up with Franklin Jella, who he knew,
702
00:54:53.639 --> 00:54:55.840
you know, we could have whether
it's whether it was a couple of
703
00:54:55.880 --> 00:55:00.199
years after Langella's Jacula or a couple
of years. Well, if it's a
704
00:55:00.199 --> 00:55:04.400
couple years that would have been great
because like he'd alreadys done the straight Dracula,
705
00:55:04.480 --> 00:55:06.480
now we're going to do the funny
Dracula. I think it would have
706
00:55:06.519 --> 00:55:09.679
been fun. So let's talk.
Let's let's wrap it up here. Surprisingly,
707
00:55:10.119 --> 00:55:12.920
when we when we when we get
to this moment, we always talk
708
00:55:12.920 --> 00:55:15.360
about what's next for this director or
what we'd want to see in them do
709
00:55:15.679 --> 00:55:21.280
so I am happy to say mel
is currently writing and producing an upcoming TV
710
00:55:21.400 --> 00:55:24.800
special, Young Frankenstein Live. It's
going to be so good, you know,
711
00:55:24.880 --> 00:55:30.800
aside for the obvious reasons. I
hope the writers strike and the the
712
00:55:30.440 --> 00:55:34.280
sag strike, I hope they end
soon so he can get back to work
713
00:55:34.320 --> 00:55:37.559
on this. Yes, let me
ask you this. If you could see
714
00:55:37.639 --> 00:55:40.400
mel Brooks do another film, Like, if he's gonna do another movie,
715
00:55:40.400 --> 00:55:44.400
what would you want to see him
do? I don't know. I think
716
00:55:45.760 --> 00:55:49.320
definitely musical, Okay, I don't
know. Maybe you know, he kind
717
00:55:49.400 --> 00:55:52.280
of likes to delve into things that
you know, like I said, he
718
00:55:52.320 --> 00:55:58.119
takes personally and he feels strongly about
so, you know, our current like
719
00:55:58.280 --> 00:56:04.760
political climate, I think we are
craving some laughter and you know, like
720
00:56:04.840 --> 00:56:09.599
Randy Rainbow does those great parody songs
that just kind of lighten the burden that
721
00:56:09.639 --> 00:56:13.400
you're carrying. So I think that
might be, you know, to see
722
00:56:13.440 --> 00:56:17.400
mel like just hold a magnifying glass
up and make us laugh at our current
723
00:56:17.559 --> 00:56:23.199
situation. If anyone could do it
and be successful at it and get away
724
00:56:23.199 --> 00:56:28.199
with it, it would have to
be mel Brooks. Yes, yeah,
725
00:56:27.639 --> 00:56:32.679
I'm I'm gonna give you my my
pick. And I have to give credit
726
00:56:34.639 --> 00:56:37.960
a friend of mine, Case Kimmel, who you know, I know he,
727
00:56:38.199 --> 00:56:40.119
I know he listens to this show
Case if you're listening to this,
728
00:56:40.920 --> 00:56:45.079
giving you full credit on this one. We were talking a while back.
729
00:56:45.119 --> 00:56:49.440
We're talking about mel Brooks and how
great it would be if he would do
730
00:56:49.559 --> 00:56:54.159
another Spaceballs movie, and Case gave
me the title or he basically he said,
731
00:56:54.199 --> 00:56:58.280
this is what it should be called. And it's one of those titles
732
00:56:58.280 --> 00:57:00.760
where it's like, you know what, it's confusing, but then it doesn't
733
00:57:00.760 --> 00:57:05.360
need an explanation because it's mel Brooks. His suggestion, Let's see mel Brooks
734
00:57:05.360 --> 00:57:14.719
do Spaceballs three. The Search for
Spaceballs too? Is that that so ver
735
00:57:15.920 --> 00:57:19.599
is that perfect? I was so
proud of him that that night I was
736
00:57:19.639 --> 00:57:23.039
like, well done. Yeah.
The comedy muse was sitting on his shoulder.
737
00:57:23.440 --> 00:57:29.119
Yes, it was. Let's close
out with high anxiety. Do you
738
00:57:29.159 --> 00:57:32.679
recommend seeing this film? Yeah,
it's fun and especially if you're you know,
739
00:57:32.760 --> 00:57:37.199
kind of like we were talking about
with horror movies, like it's fun
740
00:57:37.239 --> 00:57:42.039
to you know, watch the original
Frankenstein Brider Frankenstein like you suggested, and
741
00:57:42.039 --> 00:57:46.840
then dive into Young Frankenstein. Or
similarly, we'll watch the original Dracula and
742
00:57:46.840 --> 00:57:51.599
then we'll throw in Dracula dn loving
it and see how that flies. I
743
00:57:51.639 --> 00:57:55.800
think, you know, watch yourself
some Pitchcock and then turn on high anxiety
744
00:57:55.920 --> 00:58:01.440
and enjoy the spoof. You know
this, Yeah, this is this is
745
00:58:01.480 --> 00:58:06.920
a muscy for any fan of mel
Brooks or Alfred Hitchcock. As soon as
746
00:58:06.920 --> 00:58:09.199
I was done watching it, I
was so ready to watch all the Hitchcock
747
00:58:09.239 --> 00:58:15.079
movies. This movie for for the
Hitchcock aficionado. You are watching it and
748
00:58:15.119 --> 00:58:17.039
you're laughing, but you're also like, I know that scene or I know
749
00:58:17.119 --> 00:58:22.159
that I know that shot, and
then it like me, I'm just excited
750
00:58:22.199 --> 00:58:24.280
about go back and see him now, you know, even like the locations,
751
00:58:24.280 --> 00:58:30.760
like we're you know, San Francisco, Brooks nails that San Francisco aesthetic
752
00:58:30.320 --> 00:58:34.920
with this movie, and I'm immediately
I can't wait to watch Vertigo. I
753
00:58:34.960 --> 00:58:37.360
was gonna say, if you've seen
Vertigo even once, you know, like
754
00:58:37.519 --> 00:58:40.960
I know that bridge where he's standing, like, yeah, that park is
755
00:58:42.079 --> 00:58:45.239
right there, it's right there.
The mission, you know, we get
756
00:58:45.239 --> 00:58:47.960
he uses the mission again. It's
fantastic. I you know, like I
757
00:58:47.960 --> 00:58:51.280
said, I've been, I've been
I've been talking up this, this box
758
00:58:51.280 --> 00:58:53.000
set this whole time. This you
know this one's in it? Where did
759
00:58:53.039 --> 00:58:57.480
you? Where did you see this
one? I rented it on Prime three
760
00:58:57.639 --> 00:59:00.199
ninety nine. I ended up running
it twice. It was that good because
761
00:59:00.239 --> 00:59:02.039
I wanted to see it. Oh
yeah, did he like it? Yes,
762
00:59:02.519 --> 00:59:07.119
Okay, he loved it. He
was caught up in trying to spot
763
00:59:07.199 --> 00:59:09.679
all the Easter eggs, like which
movie was which? And this is This
764
00:59:09.800 --> 00:59:14.519
requires multiple multiple viewings because you want
to watch to have to enjoy the movie,
765
00:59:14.519 --> 00:59:15.840
but then you want to go back
and start picking it apart and finding
766
00:59:15.880 --> 00:59:20.960
all the all the fun stuff.
Speaking of fun stuff, there is a
767
00:59:21.159 --> 00:59:24.159
there's a great documentary on the movie. If you if you've got the Blue
768
00:59:24.239 --> 00:59:27.320
ray, not necessarily the box set, but if you have even if you
769
00:59:27.320 --> 00:59:30.639
have the Blue Ray of High Anxiety. There's a great documentary about the film.
770
00:59:30.320 --> 00:59:32.679
Uh. It's got some fun audio
options where you can watch it with
771
00:59:32.760 --> 00:59:37.639
like a Hitchcock trivia thing going on. Oh my gosh. And then there's
772
00:59:37.679 --> 00:59:45.480
this great one, the are you
very very nervous test? So you'll it
773
00:59:45.559 --> 00:59:47.960
plays the movie and then randomly will
ask you questions and then you have to
774
00:59:49.039 --> 00:59:52.079
use your remote to answer. It's
like a multiple choice thing. I will
775
00:59:52.159 --> 00:59:54.639
spoil it, but like the first
step was the first one is like a
776
00:59:54.679 --> 01:00:00.039
Rorshak question and you you know,
you go for the obvious answer, and
777
01:00:00.039 --> 01:00:02.760
then it's like and then it tells
you know. It's like you can almost
778
01:00:02.760 --> 01:00:08.440
hear mel Brooks reading the why You're
wrong. Oh my god, there's there's
779
01:00:08.440 --> 01:00:12.840
some fun stuff on there. Uh, Amber I, speaking of fun,
780
01:00:12.880 --> 01:00:16.559
I have had a blast talking with
you about mel Brooks. Very happy that
781
01:00:16.559 --> 01:00:20.559
you joined us today. Oh,
thank you so much. It was a
782
01:00:20.559 --> 01:00:23.840
great time. We're not done talking
about mel Brooks. This Friday on our
783
01:00:23.880 --> 01:00:29.840
limited nineteen seventy six series, Scott
Hoffman joins me to discuss mel Brooks Silent
784
01:00:29.920 --> 01:00:34.920
Movie. Uh. And then on
Saturday, Amber, you're back on our
785
01:00:34.960 --> 01:00:39.239
Patreon to do another nineteen eighty six
episode, one of the lost episodes.
786
01:00:39.280 --> 01:00:42.679
You know you want to tell us, you want to tell the listeners which
787
01:00:42.679 --> 01:00:45.199
one we're doing. Yep, get
your science books out, kids, We're
788
01:00:45.239 --> 01:00:52.519
doing the Manhattan Project. Yes,
nineteen eighties, John Lithgow. What more
789
01:00:52.800 --> 01:00:59.440
do you want? Yep, Crime
era John Lithgow. Yes. Until then,
790
01:00:59.599 --> 01:01:05.559
please reach out to us uh www
dot a film by podcast dot com.
791
01:01:05.599 --> 01:01:09.480
We have recently revamped the website.
There's uh, you know, we're
792
01:01:09.519 --> 01:01:15.440
writing articles now, we're doing videos
now. There's even some fun trivia stuff
793
01:01:15.440 --> 01:01:17.400
on there. If you like,
uh like just doing like little little trivia
794
01:01:17.480 --> 01:01:22.400
games. Uh, you'll find it
there on our website. So please reach
795
01:01:22.400 --> 01:01:25.280
out, subscribe, let us know
what you like, what you want more
796
01:01:25.320 --> 01:01:30.239
of. Hit us up on social
media, uh, Facebook, Twitter,
797
01:01:30.760 --> 01:01:35.519
Instagram. You can find us at
a Film by Podcast and of course you
798
01:01:35.559 --> 01:01:39.400
can always email us directly at a
Film by Podcast at gmail dot com.
799
01:01:39.440 --> 01:01:43.480
So let us know what you think
of mel Brooks, if you got a
800
01:01:43.480 --> 01:01:45.039
favorite movie of his, let us
know what you think of High Anxiety,
801
01:01:45.519 --> 01:01:51.719
and let us know, uh if
we need Amber back in the uh the
802
01:01:51.760 --> 01:01:53.360
co host chair, because I you
know, I thought, I think you
803
01:01:53.440 --> 01:01:57.440
knocked it out of the park,
and uh, I've already I've already penciled
804
01:01:57.440 --> 01:02:00.599
it in and we got to talk. Barry Levinson, Young Sherlock Holmes.
805
01:02:00.800 --> 01:02:09.880
Yes, love it. Until next
time it's you that I blame. It's
806
01:02:10.039 --> 01:02:28.559
very clear to me, I've got
to giving Hi Sciety you wing Hi a
807
01:02:28.679 --> 01:02:34.280
text where you're from? Cincinnati,
gray Town loved that big red machine.
808
01:02:34.840 --> 01:02:37.400
He's up under league Winie. Hello
Young,