The hilarious classic satire ‘Blazing Saddles’ is the big 5-0

Throughout the past several decades, Mel Brooks has worked on several popular films, such as ‘The Producers,’ ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights,’ ‘Young Frankenstein,’ a little movie called ‘Spaceballs,’ among others. Let me know on my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews Facebook page your favorite Mel Brooks film!

And, now, one of his most popular films celebrated its 50th anniversary this year - the one and only ‘Blazing Saddles.’

In this satirical take on Westerns, craft railroad worker Bart becomes the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge, a frontier town about to be destroyed in order to make way for a new railroad.

Initially, the people of Rock Ridge harbor a racial bias toward their new leader.

However, they warm to him after realizing that Bart and his perpetually drunk gunfighter friend are the only defense against a wave of thugs sent to rid the town of its population.

Mel Brooks’ ‘Blazing Saddles’ is, without a doubt, one of the funniest films I have ever seen. I have seen this film numerous times over the years and all of the memorable gags are still hilarious every time I watch it.

There are so many moments in this film, you will be busy laughing throughout the entire film. After re-watching the film not too long ago, I really don’t know which part is my all time favorite. There are quite a few moments and gags that were a little bold when the film was first released.

Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little have perfect comedic timing in their scenes together and I can tell they had an absolute blast making this outrageous comedy.  One moment in the film that really sticks out for me is when Jim (Wilder) is talking to Bart (Little) about how the townspeople haven’t accepted Bart as sheriff yet, and as soon as Wilder delivers his infamous line (“you know, morons”), you clearly can see Little break character for a couple seconds and try to get back to character.

All of the characters, even the minor characters, have a humorous moment. Even Mel Brooks delivers a few more laughs as a governor who can be a little on the dim-witted side. Towards the end of the film, ‘Blazing Saddles’ really goes off the rails and it just keeps getting funnier. And, quick tidbit: the man who plays the hangman in this film also plays the hangman in ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights.’

So, make sure to check out this hysterical classic on the big screen at the Dietrich Theater. ‘Blazing Saddles’ will be showing Sunday, September 15 at 4 pm and 7 pm and Wednesday September 18 at 7 pm.

The cast: Cleavon Little as Bart; Gene Wilder as Jim; Slim Pickens as Taggart; Harvey Korman as Hedley Lamarr; Madeline Khan as Lili Von Shtupp; Burton Gilliam as Lyle; Alex Karras as Mongo and Mel Brooks as Governor Lepetomane/Indian Chief.

‘Blazing Saddles’ is written by Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Alan Uger, Andrew Bergman and Richard Pryor and also directed by Brooks.

The idea of ‘Blazing Saddles’ came from a story outline written by Andrew Bergman that he originally intended to develop and produce himself. Brooks enjoyed the story, which he described as “hip talk - 1974 talk and expressions - happening in 1974 in the Old West,” and purchased the film rights from Bergman.

‘Blazing Saddles’ is ranked No. 6 on the American Film Institute’s “100 Years … 100 Laughs” list and in 2006 the film was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

‘Blazing Saddles’ is rated R and has a running time of 93 minutes. 

Show dates and times for the film: Sept. 15 at 4 pm and 7 pm; Sept. 18 at 7 pm.