Another classic comedy that is still as funny after the 500th viewing as when you first saw it decades ago!
Blazing Saddles was released in 1974. I was 9 years old, so it is safe to say I did not get to enjoy it in a theater after it came out.
I remember watching it on HBO when I was in High School and recall laughing my butt off during the entire movie.
The film was controversial in it’s time for its blunt portrayal of racism and frequent use of the offensive “N” word.
One of the writers on the film was then little-known comic Richard Pryor. Pryor would go on to make numerous movies with Blazing Saddles star Gene Wilder in subsequent years.
I wrote to Gene Wilder as part of my autograph collecting hobby and got a signed picture of him as Willy Wonka. I wish I had sent him a photo from Blazing Saddles to sign.
This Mel Brooks classic used many actors that appeared in a number of Brooks’ films over the years including Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Dom Deluise, and Harvey Korman.
The Film was nominated for three Academy Awards.
In a classic line from the movie, Harvey Korman’s character says “You men are only risking your lives, while I am risking an almost-certain Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor!”
He did not get the nomination, but Madeline Kahn did received a “Best Supporting Actress” nomination.
The film earned nearly $120 Million at the box office but was made for only $2.6 Million.
In 2006, Blazing Saddles was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
Highlight of the film has to be the infamous “Camp Fire” scene with all the cowboys sitting around happily (and loudly) enjoying their beans.
Second would be “Mongo” (Alex Karras) walking out and punching a horse to the ground.
Sadly, many of the stars of the film have now passed away, including Cleavon Little, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Slim Pickens, and Dom Deluise.
The film is considered one of the great American Comedies of All-Time.
