Blazing Saddles (1974)

The town of Rock Ridge is slated for destruction in order to build a railroad that will pass through the area it inhabits. Unfortunately, the politicians need to get rid of the people who live in Rock Ridge to get the land. After the sheriff or Rock Ridge is killed, they put a slave (Little, Vanishing Point) in charge of the racist town which causes chaos among the townspeople.

This is still one of cinema’s funniest movies, with stellar performances across the board. Although originally created for Richard Pryor to star, Cleavon Little is extremely likable as is the rest of the cast. Mel Brooks (The Twelve Chairs, The Producers) does a masterful job as director in probably his best work. It’s amazing to find a film that is so full of jokes and in which there’s scarcely a dud in the bunch.

Ironically, Madeline Kahn (Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety) was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in probably the film’s only lull, singing a song called “I’m Tired” a la Marlene Dietrich. It’s not profound, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Qwipster’s rating: A+

MPAA Rated: R for crude humor, innuendo, and language
Running time: 93 min.

Cast: Cleavon Little, Gene WIlder, Harvey Korman, Slim Pickens, Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, David Huddleston, Liam Dunn, Alex Karras, John Hillerman, George Gurth, Jack Starnett,
Cameo: Dom DeLuise, Count Basie, Anne Bancroft, Richard Farnsworth, Sally Kirkland
Director: Mel Brooks
Screenplay: Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Alan Uger