Michael has again picked a genius to cover so superbly well.
Some of us recall the amazing records and TV appearances by Mel in the 1960s. I so vividly remember watching an interview while he described his experiences as a WWII Army engineer in Europe. Much of that war, for the engineers, was all about preparing for and then executing river crossings; they are the most complex operation that exists in the Army. During the interview, Mel described taunting the German soldiers on the other bank in both English and Yiddish! What a guy!
The 2000 Year Old Man records were played in my house when I was a kid to the point where the grooves should have been worn down. The lines of his characters became embedded in our family’s humor but, alas, I’m the last one alive with no one to share with but ghosts, which I do on occasion.
If pressed to choose, The Producers would be my favorite film of his, I suppose because of the interaction between Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, and Dick Shawn’s hilariously bent take on der Fuhrer. Springtime For Hitler still runs through my head on occasion.
I owe Mel Brooks a debt of gratitude for helping to refine my sense of humor, especially when it comes to recognizing and appreciating the absurd.
I’m younger so I don’t have a ton to add, but for my generation I think it was Spaceballs. So many insanely funny gags and one liners. As long as Star Wars is relevant, Spaceballs will be.
In fact, I mentioned your article to my son (19) and we’re watching Spaceballs right now. Good work, Michael!
Michael has again picked a genius to cover so superbly well.
Some of us recall the amazing records and TV appearances by Mel in the 1960s. I so vividly remember watching an interview while he described his experiences as a WWII Army engineer in Europe. Much of that war, for the engineers, was all about preparing for and then executing river crossings; they are the most complex operation that exists in the Army. During the interview, Mel described taunting the German soldiers on the other bank in both English and Yiddish! What a guy!
The 2000 Year Old Man records were played in my house when I was a kid to the point where the grooves should have been worn down. The lines of his characters became embedded in our family’s humor but, alas, I’m the last one alive with no one to share with but ghosts, which I do on occasion.
If pressed to choose, The Producers would be my favorite film of his, I suppose because of the interaction between Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, and Dick Shawn’s hilariously bent take on der Fuhrer. Springtime For Hitler still runs through my head on occasion.
I owe Mel Brooks a debt of gratitude for helping to refine my sense of humor, especially when it comes to recognizing and appreciating the absurd.
Thanks for this Michael!👍
I’m younger so I don’t have a ton to add, but for my generation I think it was Spaceballs. So many insanely funny gags and one liners. As long as Star Wars is relevant, Spaceballs will be.