The Big Screen Comedies of Mel Brooks - by Robert Alan Crick (Paperback)

About the Book

Mel Brooks is often regarded as one of Hollywoods funniest men, thanks to such highly successful films as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. Both critics and fans have, however, noticed that his films have a tendency to turn out much like the jokes that comprise themhit-or-miss, one minute shoot-the-moon brilliant and the next minute well short of laughs.

Book Synopsis

Mel Brooks is often regarded as one of Hollywood's funniest men, thanks to such highly successful films as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. His films do have a tendency to turn out much like the jokes that comprise them--hit-or-miss, one minute shoot-the-moon brilliant and the next minute well short of laughs.

This work provides a thorough synopsis and thematic analysis for each of his twelve films along with complete cast and production credits: The Producers (1968), The Twelve Chairs (1970), Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), Silent Movie (1976), High Anxiety (1977), History of the World--Part 1 (1981), To Be or Not to Be (1983), Spaceballs (1987), Life Stinks (1991), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995).

Review Quotes

"enthusiastic"-Film Review; "useful and interesting features...a notable and impressive list of the moviemaker's work throughout his career"-Film & History.

About the Author

Teacher Robert Alan Crick has written analyses for various journals and books about radio, television, and the movies. He lives in Russellville, Kentucky.