tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post7807053652584388070..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: The great Mel BrooksBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42123263019884617582013-05-24T00:35:03.687-07:002013-05-24T00:35:03.687-07:00I'm so glad you wrote about this. It was an am...I'm so glad you wrote about this. It was an amazing program and I loved every minute of it. He's always been (one of) my comedy idols and I loved hearing the stories. I remember seeing Blazing Saddles for the first time and how hilarious it was. I loved that he talked about his wife, she was such a class act. I'm a huge fan of Mel Brooks and this show was a real treat. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46346334735690484222013-05-23T16:59:08.112-07:002013-05-23T16:59:08.112-07:00Thanks, Storm. I'm still here. You bring the j...Thanks, Storm. I'm still here. You bring the joints and I'll yap all you like.<br /><br />Breadbaker, it's been a really, really long time since I saw <i>The 12 Chairs</i>, but I do remember liking, not loving, but liking it. I vividly recall Dom's cry to Heaven when his shot at the diamonds is gone: "Oh lord, you're so <i>strict!</i>" It was, by the way, Frank Langella's screen debut. Mel was touting Frank as his new "Discovery," as he touted Gene Wilder before. Mel "discovered" Langella co-starring with Mel's wife on Broadway. I must assume their friendship has cooled after the catty and not-at-all-nice things Langella wrote about Anne Bancroft in his book last year, <i>Dropped Names</i>, which is a really fun read, except for the places (such as his chapter on Rita Hayworth) where it's sad.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25861804421976597052013-05-23T12:21:57.500-07:002013-05-23T12:21:57.500-07:00I can only add two things to the wonderful tribute...I can only add two things to the wonderful tributes to this man I idolize. First, no one has mentioned The Twelve Chairs. If you're not familiar with it, find it and see it. Frank Langella, Ron Moody and Dom Deluise, based on a Soviet novel by Ilf & Petrov. Very unusual for Mel, but a sweet and wonderful film (made between the Producers and Blazing Saddles). <br /><br />Second, Mel turns 87 on June 28. I know this because he is 30 years older than me to the day. Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82862904692895805672013-05-23T01:19:08.505-07:002013-05-23T01:19:08.505-07:00Douglas, darling, there you are! I was starting to...Douglas, darling, there you are! I was starting to wonder about you; haven't seen you comment in a while.<br /><br />Just when I think I couldn't be more jealous of you, you go and tell the "Puttin' On The Ritz" story. You, Sir, are extremely far up on my list of People I Want To Share A Joint With And Enjoy Their Stories. Please, continue to rule with benevolence.<br /><br />Cheers, thanks a lot,<br /><br />Storm<br /><br />WV: "wholly feBackn" As in "Wholly feBackn, D. McEwan has met Anne Bancroft, the lucky schmoe!"<br /><br />Stormnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52332908982343260262013-05-22T16:21:18.259-07:002013-05-22T16:21:18.259-07:00The story goes that Carl and Mel had just recorded...The story goes that Carl and Mel had just recorded the first 2,000 Year Man LP and were worried that Middle America wouldn't get this specifically Jewish-American brand of humor. Cary Grant was a neighbor of Carl's and came over once to take some copies of said record album. After a trip to Europe, Cary told Carl he'd played the album one evening for some dinner guests of his who loved it... namely, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.<br /><br />Carl and Mel realized that if the world's biggest <i>shiksa</i> could enjoy the 2,000 Year Old Man routine, they were in business.AndrewJhttp://www.scribd.com/Andrew_Milnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9605293804414391162013-05-22T13:26:41.059-07:002013-05-22T13:26:41.059-07:00Someone seems magical when you meet them, then eve...Someone seems magical when you meet them, then eventually you don't really want them around. Sounds like my ex-wives.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15033791356927036598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63843597070165778502013-05-22T05:44:58.804-07:002013-05-22T05:44:58.804-07:00Mark Evanier has posted the American Masters episo...Mark Evanier has posted the American Masters episode to his site. I'm at work which means I can't play the video to confirm it works, but if you like, you can play link roulette from here: http://www.newsfromme.com/Daddy Backgroundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06741298625997282178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30479421518708475182013-05-22T01:50:30.699-07:002013-05-22T01:50:30.699-07:00Great stories, D! Great stories, D! Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14383193733854641922013-05-21T20:12:07.564-07:002013-05-21T20:12:07.564-07:00All hail Mel!
I've had the joy of meeting Mel...All hail Mel!<br /><br />I've had the joy of meeting Mel a few times also. The first time was at a preview of <i>Blazing Saddles</i> in Westwood. I found myself after the movie, talking to Mel and Gene Wilder while Anne Bancroft stood one foot from me, close enpough to smell her aroma. I'm gay, but even so, being that close to Anne Bancoft was intoxicating. The woman was a goddess.<br /><br />The second time I know I've told Ken before. In January, 1974, after a tip-off from my friend, the late Larry "Seymour" Vincent, that Mel was shooting <i>Young Frankenstein</i> at the Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica that week (Larry was in the show that was running on the stage evenings). I went down there, dressed nicely, put an "I belong here" look on my face, and snuck into the shoot. I spent most of the afternoon watching them shoot some of the "Puttin' on the Ritz" scene.<br /><br />When they were shooting close ups of Froderick Fronkensteen and the monster (And Eyegore, though those shots are not in the finished film) being pelted with vegatables, it was, of course, Mel pelting them personally. Marty Feldman grabbed a cabbage tossed at him in mid-air, bit into it, and then threw it back at Mel.<br /><br />You have to understand that, as a big Mel Brooks fan and also a huge fan of the Universal Frankenstein films, I was obssessed with <i>Young Frankenstein</i> from the first moment I heard about it going into production. It was like they were making me a personal present: the movie I would most want to see ever. <br /><br />On the set, I did not speak to Mel. Rule #1 for sneaking onto movie sets: <i><b>Never</b> draw <b>ANY</b> attention to yourself!</i> At one point, watching a shot go down and laughing with everyone else once Mel yelled "Cut," I turned to remark casually to the person standing next to me on how funny the shot was. The person turned out to be Gene Wilder. I nearly passed out. (I was 23.)<br /><br />Third time was at a preview of <i>Young Frankenstein</i>, not the final cut yet, so we saw some gags not in the film. (And not in the DVD "Deleted Scenes") After they'd declared the show sold out and were turning folks away, from inside the theater I saw one of my closest friends (and one of the funniest people I know), outside being turned away. I went to an usher and lied, saying that Jim was "The rest of my party," whom I'd been waiting for. It worked. Jim was let in and we saw the movie together. After, I again got to speak with Mel and Gene, and inhale Anne, as I told them I thought it was "The best Frankenstein movie since James Whale stopped making them." <br /><br />The shot in the PBS show last night I loved the most was the shot of Mel's star being unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The reason is also a personal one: I was standing beside the photographer when he was shooting it. A few minutes later, talking to Mel, I confessed my sneaking onto his set decades before. (Mel: "You didn't. Really? Bad boy.") Mel did his bit where he slaps a comb under his nose and sig heils. I called out: "Look! It's the Pope!" <i>and Mel Brooks laughed!</i><br /><br />Getting a laugh from Mel Brooks is up there with getting a laugh from Gore Vidal and from Barry Humphries, as the three laughs I've received that I most most treasured. I was giddy with joy the rest of the day.<br /><br />As for Carl Reiner, I've been blessed enough to have worked with him in <i><b>VERY</b></i> minor capacities on two occasions, and he always treated me like an equal. Carl Reiner is the biggest mensch on earth.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48958995682358306632013-05-21T17:52:00.936-07:002013-05-21T17:52:00.936-07:00Carol Burnett tells the same Cary Grant story , wi...Carol Burnett tells the same Cary Grant story , with the same punchline ( only this time with Tim Conway ) in her book "This Time Together". Rob in Torontonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44261772452494184782013-05-21T16:28:53.556-07:002013-05-21T16:28:53.556-07:00benson said...
"I'd love to see the outt...<b> benson said...</b><br /><br /><i>"I'd love to see the outtakes of Mel Brooks on Mad About You. Those episodes just slay me. "Firm Embrace!!!""</i><br /><br />I don't know if any outtakes exist, but I can tell you from what I remember, no two takes of any scene he was in were alike.Tom Quigleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12959628996361620134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64280453006772115582013-05-21T14:14:40.208-07:002013-05-21T14:14:40.208-07:00I tried to to get the show from the PBS website th...<br /><br />I tried to to get the show from the PBS website this morning. It's up now, but with a lot of annoying pop ups<br /><br />I'd love to see the outtakes of Mel Brooks on Mad About You. Those episodes just slay me. "Firm Embrace!!!"<br /><br />Thanks to all for the podcast recommendations. Looking forward to them.<br /><br />bensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-92081389090908626522013-05-21T13:41:51.105-07:002013-05-21T13:41:51.105-07:00I've been listening the NPR interviews with Me...I've been listening the NPR interviews with Mel Brooks these past few weeks, and they're even better than the documentary. The program is Bullseye with Jesse Thorn. Here's a podcast: http://castroller.com/podcasts/SoundOfYoungAmerica/3555906Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794791220323089387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3019587387733969452013-05-21T12:44:48.982-07:002013-05-21T12:44:48.982-07:00Do you really pronounce your name La-Vine?Do you really pronounce your name La-Vine?Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38352882307335741742013-05-21T12:27:56.297-07:002013-05-21T12:27:56.297-07:00I'll second the recommendation for the recent ...I'll second the recommendation for the recent interviews on the <a href="http://www.wtfpod.com" rel="nofollow">WTF Podcast</a>.<br /><br />The host, Marc Maron, initially interviewed Mel Brooks at his office, and when Mel had such a great time he told Carl he needed to do it, too. So then came the interview with Carl in his living room.<br /><br />Both we're great.<br /><br />After that he got to interview Dick Van Dyke, too.<br /><br />All three are great set of long-form interviews that are far above the usual empty banal interview fare -- they're closer to genuine conversations.<br /><br />They won't be available for free forever, so now's a good time to grab them if you're interested.Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60969133797199129812013-05-21T12:04:00.768-07:002013-05-21T12:04:00.768-07:00Love Mr. Brooks work!
Blazing Saddles is one of th...Love Mr. Brooks work!<br />Blazing Saddles is one of the funniest movies of all time!<br /><br />"lets play chess..."chuckcdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50991226909466686642013-05-21T11:47:42.848-07:002013-05-21T11:47:42.848-07:00Always enjoyed his films. Always had incredible ta...Always enjoyed his films. Always had incredible talent and used really funny people - Madeline Kahn, Ronny Graham, Dom DeLuise, Harvey Korman. The sausage scene in "Blazing Saddles" still makes me laugh. <br /><br />Ron Greenfield<br />www.aspectsofentertainment.comRon Greenfieldhttp://www.aspectsofentertainment.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37700138046084408392013-05-21T10:53:14.660-07:002013-05-21T10:53:14.660-07:00As a lifelong Giants fan, I hope you have many, ma...As a lifelong Giants fan, I hope you have many, many more opportunities to talk to Mel and Carl this year.<br />P.S. I have June 27 in the 'fire Mattingly' poolVictor Velasconoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32505669530913105492013-05-21T10:09:26.545-07:002013-05-21T10:09:26.545-07:00When he and Carl Reiner released THE 2000 YEAR OLD...When he and Carl Reiner released THE 2000 YEAR OLD MAN on CD I got to meet them at a BARNES & NOBLE signing. I said to them, "You guys have been making me laugh since I learned how to laugh!" One of the great moments of my life.VincentSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42634609248044455142013-05-21T09:54:28.549-07:002013-05-21T09:54:28.549-07:00MikeFab...Mel and Buck Henry CREATED "Get Sma...MikeFab...Mel and Buck Henry CREATED "Get Smart!"<br />Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32367546438819656112013-05-21T09:39:23.579-07:002013-05-21T09:39:23.579-07:00Watched the PBS special last night. YOUNG FRANKEN...Watched the PBS special last night. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is one of my alltime favorites. Worked at MAD ABOUT YOU when he guest starred in a couple of episodes and while I didn't meet him, met Anne, one of the loveliest women I have ever met (the smile she gave me just melted me), who laughed continually through all his scenes.Tom Quigleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12959628996361620134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27153685567803574992013-05-21T09:31:00.583-07:002013-05-21T09:31:00.583-07:00God - imagine being at that sushi table with Mel B...God - imagine being at that sushi table with Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner? They're both still so sharp and fast. I guess comedy keeps them young at heart (and brain). Macnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32680124766057354342013-05-21T08:40:39.134-07:002013-05-21T08:40:39.134-07:00just to let everybody know. I just checked my loc...just to let everybody know. I just checked my local PBS station and they are repeating it in a couple of weeks. I suspect other PBS stations will do so.sanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88435554478576051192013-05-21T08:35:30.014-07:002013-05-21T08:35:30.014-07:00For the person whose cable went out, check your lo...For the person whose cable went out, check your local PBS web site. They might repeat it.sanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30863330877166349752013-05-21T08:27:44.966-07:002013-05-21T08:27:44.966-07:00Besides the obvious halarious movies he wrote, I b...Besides the obvious halarious movies he wrote, I believe he was also a contributing writer on one of the funniest t.v. sitcoms ever...."Get Smart".MikeFabnoreply@blogger.com