TMI (Today’s Movie Info)
February: Director’s Month
MEL BROOKS has directed only eleven feature films. Both of his acknowledged classics were released in 1974: Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. Brooks got his start as a TV writer on such shows as “Your Show of Shows” and “Caesar’s Hour”. His career took off in 1965 as he created, produced, wrote and directed the hit TV series “Get Smart”. He then transitioned into films with The Producers (1968) … his satire of Broadway, involving the scam to produce a sure fire flop called “Hitler in Springtime”. It won him an Oscar for Best Screenplay. Brooks later took the film to Broadway where it became a smash hit. He once said “I’m the only Jew who ever made a buck offa Hitler.” His knack for parody and sense of humor is certainly not for everyone, but Brooks put together a very successful career to go with his 41 year marriage to actress Anne Bancroft. (Bancroft passed away in 2005, but will always be remembered as Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate).
Movie Reviews from the Dark 