Blazing Saddles (1974) FULL LENGTH REACTION

-The idea for the film came from a story outline written by Andrew Bergman that he originally intended to develop and produce himself. "I wrote a first draft called Tex-X" (a play on Malcolm X's name), he said. "Alan Arkin was hired to direct and James Earl Jones was going to play the sheriff. That fell apart, as things often do." Brooks was taken with the story, which he described as "hip talk—1974 talk and expressions—happening in 1874 in the Old West", -The original title, Tex X, was rejected to avoid it being mistaken for an X-rated film,, as were Black Bart – a reference to Black Bart, a white highwayman of the 19th century, and Purple Sage. Brooks said he finally conceived Blazing Saddles one morning while taking a shower. -Even though uncredited, one of the screenwriters was Richard Pryor and was originally considered for the role of Bart, but because of his drug problems at the time the studio didn't want him as the lead. -Adding on to what was said at the beginning of the video: Mel also writes the songs for his films and Brooks advertised in the trade papers for a "Frankie Laine–type" singer; to his surprise, Laine himself offered his services. "Frankie sang his heart out ... and we didn't have the heart to tell him it was a spoof. He never heard the whip cracks; we put those in later. We got so lucky with his serious interpretation of the song." -Madeline Kahn was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The film was also nominated for Best Original song and Film editing. It unfortunately did not win any and Harvey Korman did not receive his Oscar nomination like his character in the film hoped he would. -The film is making fun of racists not embracing them and showing how stupid they are. -During the scene when Bart is with Madeline’s character in the bed and she is yelling “It’s true” there was a deleted line of him saying “ "I hate to disappoint you, ma'am, but You’re sucking on my arm”, -The man with the orchestra when Bart is heading to Rock Ridge is legendary composer Count Basie, -When the film was shown to two different groups of people The blacks were cracking up and and laughing throughout the showing while the white audience didn’t know how to respond, -The name of Hedley Lemarr for the film was sued by the real actress Hedy Lemarr, Brooks said that he was flattered and chose to not fight it in court; the studio settled out of court for a small sum and an apology for "almost using her name." Brooks said that Lamarr "never got the joke." This lawsuit would be referenced by an in-film joke where Brooks' character, the Governor, tells Hedley Lamarr that, "This is 1874; you'll be able to sue HER." -Mel Brooks type of humor is a mix of visual jokes and double play with words like when they say “A Laurel and Hardy handshake” Laurel like a wreath and Hardy as in strong or firm while at the same time referring to the comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, -When they say "You'd do it for Randolph Scott" that is a reference to a famous cowboy actor considered one of the best. -The characters didn't know the song Camptown Races until after it was sung to them and just found it catchy enough to sing it. However that is actually a Black Minstrel song. -While the film today is considered a comedy classic when it was first released it had mixed reception. Some other of Mel Brooks films you have probably seen: Young Frankenstein, Robin Hood Men in Tights, -Some of his films you should see if you haven’t: The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, Silent Movie, History of the World Part 1,

James Moyner