as a 50-something yr old black man...i was very glad to see these young brothas actually 'GET' the joke right from the jump. Also know that this movie's script was partially written by the goat himself, Richard Pryor...who was supposed to also star in the movie, but the Studio wouldnt allow it because he was so controversial at the time of the movie's filming. As has been stated in other comments, watch the entire movie, uncut, to understand that this may be one of the funniest movies of all time, as it makes the joke about EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY, but in todays' climate, it could not be made in the 21st century. Enjoy gentlemen
I did not know Pryor was a writer or supposed to be in it. Dam, loved all the films him and wilder did together. Every one of them was awesome. By the way, im a 50 something white guy.
@@joesmo9671 ...the studio was actually not able to get an insurance policy on Pryor, due to some recent personal issues....so, he had to give up playing the sheriff in the movie....Which would've been him and Gene Wilders first time appearing in a movie together.....I'm sure this movie is when they first met and must've struck up a friendship
I don't know that it couldn't be made nowadays. It could actually help clear the air. IMO. But like Casablanca, classics like this should NEVER be re-made. Thank you, sir.
Had no idea Pryor was a co-writer for the script, but now I see it, this movie is his idea of comedy all the way. And with Gene Wilder’s acting and Mel Brooks writing this movie is an absolute masterpiece of comedy. And comedy is supposed to be controversial, that’s what makes it what it is! As the great George Carlin once said “ I believe the duty of a comedian is to find where the line is drawn, and deliberately step over it”
You need to watch the whole thing, as this one scene feels a bit gratuitous without seeing how Brooks and co writer Richard Pryor completely highlighted the stupidity of racism, throughout the entire movie.
When I was a kid in the 70's I watched Laurel & Hardy clips (and Harold Lloyd clips) on the local PBS station. This stuff is nearly a century old. It's no wonder nobody gets it. How long will it be when people say "John Wayne? Who's that?" or "Clint Eastwood? Never heard of him."
I love the part not long after where Gene Wilder wakes up in his cell and sees the sheriff. Sheriff asks “are we ok?” Gene Wilder says “we’re not sure. Are we black?” Sheriff replies “yes we’re black” Gene says “then we’re ok”.
That movie is a classic! Mel Brooks takes racism, turns it on its head, and makes a complete mockery of it. Cleavon Little, the sheriff, plays his part perfectly.
Richard Pryor also co wrote it and was originally going to play the sheriff but cocaine is a helluva drug and the studios were too scared to take a "risk". Would've been curious to see Pryor take that role but Cleavon Little did an amazing job.
You know racism is real, right... BTW, I still find this movie funny, because I'm not a snowflake. But "making a mockery of slavery" was a really poor choice of words.
@@Tcrror We're on a service that constantly proves otherwise. The fact that you fell into stereotypical stupidity trying to make your point shows that you have none. Take a seat, Alice.
Blazing Saddles is one of the most hilarious movies ever. Its a classic. It mocks racism brutally. That movie is, IMHO, Mel Brooks at his absolute peak. And it was co written by Richard Pryor, who was also on the rise at the time! I've seen it many times and it still makes me laugh. DO watch it!
I saw this movie a week after it first came out. I have seen this movie at least once a year after VHS tape came out. And will watch it again. One of the greatest comedies ever. But Vanishing Point is my favorite Cleavon Little film. It's fifty years old but still worth watching.
The actress, Lily Von Shtupp, is a combination of things. She's a parody of Marlene Dietrich's character, Frenchy, in the Jimmy Stewart movie, Destry Rides Again, (1939). Her character's last name is supposedly a Yiddish term replacement for the "F" bomb! Some of her dialogue is a "re-working" of things said by Mae West in earlier movies.
That's back in the day where people could legitimately laugh at themselves and not get butt hurt. Of course I'm old enough where I saw this in the theater.
Partially because is almost 50 years old, and partially because everyone is so fucking sensitive and don't have a sense of humor. This movie certainly could not have been made in these times because all the people who feel repressed by EVERYTHING that goes against anything that makes them uncomfortable would be on social media 24/7 crying and bitching. Realize this a comedy based on events that were over exaturated for said purpose. Also the director (MB) was Jewish and made fun of that in the movie too- if you are savvy enough to get the humor. Fuck trying to get through to close minded people. These reactors get the movie. Props and thumbs up. This planet will self destruct. I want to conclude, that I am disgusted by a lot of history, but I am not going to have a stroke over something I can do nothing about. I enjoy the tongue n check comedy, and do my best to be a person who loves everyone until it ain't no good.
THANK YOU for having a good enough sense of humor to laugh at a movie making fun of racism. As a white male, I absolutely could not tell anyone about this hilarious scene today without risking losing my job and having people try to make my life miserable. But somehow, saying, "The sheriff is a . . . n-word" just doesn't get it. Great movie, and you guys had a great reaction. Laughing at racism is a great way to help get rid of it.
What the "Woke" don't understand is that they made fun everyone and everything in this movie so as to not "offend" anyone in particular which is why the movie was so damn great 😎
@@dbsti3006 Yo the white people can't dance sketch with John Mayer and Questlove. The black cop at the end, "What? I'm from the suburbs.", perfect cherry on top.
Cleavon Little plays this part beautifully, & the chemistry between him & Gene Wilder makes the movie all the better. Awesome to see you good dudes review one of the most beloved comedies of all time, written by none other than Mel Brooks & Richard Pryor!
there were about 6 writers. Richard Pryor was hired so they could get away with the black jokes. he actually only wrote a few lines, all of which for the white actors. he wrote the line "mongo only pawn in chess game of life". they had to constantly track pryor down and fly him back to CA to work on the script.
Dare I say the chemistry between Cleavon and Gene seemed better than Gene and Richard Pryor in other movies. And I don't mean that in a rude way or anything if it came across like that. I love all three actors.
That was a brilliant line. Of course, these guys are too young to understand that reference. Most people missed the Mongo Santamaria reference, too. When Mongo rides into town on the bull, there is this one hispanic man who says "Mongo! Santa Maria!" The only reason I got that joke was that I'm a percussionist. Mongo Santamaria was a Cuban percussionist and recording artist at the time of this film. He was a more modern version of Ricky Ricardo.
@@eaptan he wrote the first half of the film and got fired cause he had a drug problem. Brooks was sad about it, but Pryor became unreliable and had to be let go.
True that - only we Boomers would still remember Laurel and Hardy and you fellows are too young for that reference. I also recommend Young Frankenstein and History of the World Part One (there never was a part two). You'll love them! Both Mel Brooks classics.
Theres a missed joke in the name of the governor played by Mel Brooks. His name in the movie is William J LePetomain. Lepetomain was the stage name of a real professional farter and stage performer in the 1800s in France. He would fart the French national anthem and other songs on stage at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. LePetomain means gas maniac in French
Nah, it was taking the piss out of old style TV Westerns, which were quite recent at the time it was made. It couldn't be made now because that genre hasn't existed since the late 60s. Nothing at all to do with political correctness.
This is one of the funniest scenes in cinema history (I've seen it a million times and am still in tears re-watching it here). Not sure the young brothers got the "laurel and hearty" joke, however.
That line is originally from an old black and white western called the treasure of the sierra madre, worth a watch if you like old black and white westerns.
My favorite movie of all time. Hell, I let my kids watch this when they were young, and my sons could actually repeat all of the dialog - including ALL of the noises around the campfire. Yep, it's still relevant after all these years.
My favorite line, that I missed for years, was when Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder go to see the railroad workers (who knew him.) The guy said, "I thought you was hung." Cleavon Little said, "I am." Absolutely hilarious movie. Mel Brooks could make you laugh at ANYTHING, no matter how politically incorrect. He showed you the absurdity of it all. If you haven't seen it, do so. You won't regret it.
On the DVD commentary they actually talk about the jokes in the film they weren't allowed to make. One of the best ever jokes missed the cut because of the censor board.
Sheriff Bart, played by Cleavon Little, and the Waco Kid, played by Gene Wilder, was given a note by the saloon staff from the singer while they watched her as the entertainment on stage. The singer, played by Madelyn Kahn, invited the sheriff to her dressing room for a meeting. By the way, the singer's character name was "Lily Von Shtupp," and that last name is Yiddish for "fucking." Lily was hired by the evil mastermind Hedley Lamarr, played by Harvey Korman, to bedazzle the sheriff with her good looks and her charm. Instead, Lily is immediately smitten by the sheriff, and she wants to give him some fun in the dark. She blew out the laterns in the dressing room, and she says, "Isn't true your people are gifted?" You hear the sound of a zipper going down from the sheriff's pants, and Lily says in a German Tweety Bird like voice, "It's true!, It's true!, It's true." Sheriff Bart responded, "You're sucking on my arm." That last line was cut from the final movie.
I'm a 45 yr old white guy from Detroit who, while growing up, was blessed with friends from a wide variety of cultures. I love that you two watched Blazing Saddles! In high school in the 90's my friends would all watch this together and laugh our asses off. I highly recommend it. Racism is shown as foolishness and mocked. Love your content guys. -JB
Bass Reeves was a black US Marshal back around that time. His apprehension rate for fugitives was legendary. By all accounts, he was single minded in his professionalism and drive. Hardcore dude. Lots of stuff written about him, cool info to dip into.
@@danstone8783 there are plenty if you count the race switched Lone Ranger. That was him. too controversial to portray the fact he was a black man. so they sort of did what Hollywood is doing now only the reverse. it was racist to not portray this black man or other notable black people as black just as it is racist to make traditionally white characters black or sexist to make male characters into females.
This scene does highlight my favorite part of Bart's character: Despite all the stupidity and nonsense thrown at him, he never reacts with malice or anger, just casual unflappable calm and wildly outsmarts everyone around him ...it helps most everyone else in the movie are morons
YOU DID GET THE BUGGS BUNNY REFERENCE IN THE CANDYGRAM SCENE AS WELL AS THE LOONEYTOON MUSIC RIGHT???? The movie was filmed at the Warner Brothers Hollywood studios!
I loved that character and bit so much as a kid. When my wife and I got ferrets years ago one was big and doofey. Totally named him Mongo, and man did it fit him.
Every time I recommend this movie to a young person, I have to follow it with "And you have to watch the whole thing! You can't just get offended and turn it off - you have to see where it goes!" Thank you for posting this!
Sherrif Bart: "Well, Jim, since you are my guest and I am your host what do you like to do?" Waco Kid: "Oh, I don't know. Play chess...screw." Sherrif Bart: "We'll play chess!"
PLEASE watch this all the way through. It's one of the best satires ever. The relentless mocking of racist assholes is perfect. And that fact that it hasn't changed THAT much.... makes it even funnier.
I learned that you shouldn't use the line " Badges, we don't need no stinking badges ! " when you enter the NSA. They have no sense of humor there.......
So many memorable quotes. Among the best are "Excuse me while I whip this out." and "Where all the white women at?" Soon to be 50 years since I first saw this, it's still hilarious.
There were black gunfighters. One lawman that stands out and many believe to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger, was Bass Reeves. That guy lived a crazy life and criminals really tried to avoid being on his radar because he was very very good.
Also, there were black cow boys. "Cow boy" was originally a derogatory term. There were the "farm boys" and the "cow boys" who did not like each other for the most part. It was also a hard job driving a large herd of wild cattle from the west to the east which was the original job of the cow boys, but some black men were willing to do it.
Very cool that you informed us. I was wondering if it were even plausible that the Wild White West would allow any non-white a position of power. This Bass Reeves fellow must've been a fascinating story.
@@igortakesabride1139 Oh ya I love his story. The Podcast "Legends of the West" chronicled his legend in a 4 part series during Season 15. The adventures he got involved in are really incredible. Many historians are beginning to suspect that Reeves was the inspiration for the Lone Ranger.
Mel Brooks said he couldn't make it then but he was friends with the studios head and lied to him about toning it down. I'm sure the executive knew he was since they were friends LOL Mel Brooks gotta be Mel Brooks.
@@scottyt53219 Blazing Saddles is woke. Have you never seen it? I recommend. One of the funniest movies ever but also staunchly anti-hate and still relevant today.
"The Hanging Judge" who's real name was Roy Beam had a great fondness for Bass Reeves who was most likely if the truth was known was the greatest lawman in the Old West. Reeves was a Texas Ranger who was highly respected by both Black and white people. His integrity was beyond reproach. Bass could not read or write, however when he was able to look at those who were wanted, he never forgot what they looked like or their charges. He arrested every criminal he was tasked with bringing in. He was well known for using disguises to capture his prey. He was also extremely respected by the Native Americans. There was one Native American who rode with him on many occasions. Many Old West researchers believe Reeves was the inspiration for the TV series, The Lone Ranger. When his son murdered his wife an arrest warrant was issued. The task to arrest him was given to someone else. When Bass found out he asked Judge Roy Beam to allow him to find his son and bring him back to Ft. Sumner for trial. He was found guilty, however the judge gave him a life sentence instead of hanging because of his great respect of Reeves. Beam was able to get a release of his son because of good conduct. The real truth is that their were probably more black cowboys in the west because after the Civil War many ex slaves went West to start a new life as a free man. Racism in the West was much less than in the rest of the Country. Sadly even though Bass Reeves made over a 1000 arrest his status as one of the greatest lawmen of the Old West has been lost to history because of the prejudice's that were practiced when making movies. Thank God the truth is being put out in public media so Bass can be celebrated by all as the hero he really is.
Hollywood is backward and ignorant and racist, but I think it was more of a marketplace demographics issue. Tomorrow they'll start remaking Eastwood classics with trans Lesbian black actresses playing his iconic parts... Instead of making a movie about Bass Reeves to do something positive and pay respect. Because they have no respect. They pander.
One of the greatest cast collaborations of all time: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, even Alex Karras. My wife and I laugh like crazy every time we see it. Got to watch the whole thing. And yes, there were black sheriffs, the most noted of which was Bass Reeves.
This was released in 1974. Mel Brooks was one of the writers as well as Richard Pryor (and others I forget) which if you've watched any of Mel's stuff, you can tell without even knowing that beforehand. Fucking hilarious from start to finish.
Back in the good old days I used to have that sound clip on my laptop so that when I opened a new window that would play instead of a tone. Screw PC, if someone isn’t offended it probably isn’t funny.
The best way to combat racism is to laugh at its absurdity. I’m Native American and there’s a scene in the movie where they have the natives speaking Yiddish. Hilarious! 🤣 Taking one’s self too seriously takes the zest out of life. The ability to laugh ( this movie makes me laugh until I’m in tears and holding my tummy). I’ve seen it so many times I can quote the whole thing.
55-year-old white Italian dude here. Grew up watching this movie with a ton of my buddies who were black. We died watching this movie several times. I'm a huge fan of you two, you're one of my favorite channels. I love that you get the jokes and laugh them off, because that was what we all did back then. Cleveon Little ( The Sheriff) thought the whole movie was hysterical and fun to watch. Richard Pryor was involved in writing this scene. Glad you boys are real gentlemen and love a good laugh. This, is what we all should be doing. Keep up the great content!
I never even noticed him until I read your comment. He's a beauty, but judging by the eyes of the guy on the right, he's probably stoned by passive (dope) smoking. Or maybe not so passive, maybe he sat up there to get the rising smoke.
The director Mel Brooks (Gov Lepetomaine and an Indian chief speaking Yiddish) wrote most of the movie with a lot of help from Richard Pryor. Both were comic geniuses and an incredible cast made this one of the great spoofs of all time. Have fun with a masterpiece.
Wow, I grew up during this time... when comedy was still comedy... we all could laugh at ourselves and no one got offended and we all got along... good ol’ Days...
Well not everybody. I remember seeing this when it came out and a young black couple walked out after about 20 minutes muttering about how offended they were. Too bad they didn't stay. This movie made fun of just about everyone and everything. I agree with many of the comments that state this movie would not be made today. People would probably tear down any movie theatre that would dare to show it.
It’s interesting to watch the reaction of two millennial/Gen Z guys who never have known what is was like to watch a film where you could actually laugh. Perhaps they’ll realize how uptight their generation is. Good for them!
Meaning that showing how ridiculous racism is is an important first step but then you have to stop treating it as something that's funny and start addressing it as a serious issue.
Bass Reeves was one of the badest Deputy US Marshalls ever and he was the first black Deputy West of the Mississippi. He had a 32 year career, made 3,000 arrests and killed 14 men in gun fights. It is worth looking him up, he had an amazing life and definitely contributed in taming the "Wild West".
I watched this when l was small with my dad so much. It totally went over my head. The lines in it are common phrases in our house. I need to see it again.
Yeah they'd never get away with showing that scene on the world's largest video sharing platform since it was banned and deleted from history in the great culture wars.
So many great moments in this film. I love it when everyone is being interviewed for the job of being a thug and Harvey reads from a guy's list of qualifications. HARVEY: "It says here you do rape, murder, robbery and rape. You mentioned rape twice?" THUG: "I like rape." HARVEY: "You'll do nicely."
*inhales sharply through mouth with teeth clinched* I dont know bout that claim my man. Don't get me wrong, its up there for me, I quote it all the time "Are we awake?" "We're not sure... are we...black?" "Yes we are" "Well then were awake, but we're very puzzled" But c'mon man, you know theres been many movies released since that are better/funnier (more funny?...) than Blazing saddles. Anchorman, the 1ST hangover, superbad, raising Arizona, friday, step brothers, 40 year old virgin, meet the parents, the jerk, dumb and dumber, caddyshack.
I totally appreciate that you guys understood what was going on there and didn't get immediately butthurt and offended. Satire isn't always appreciated.
Mel Brooks was a master. This movie was hilarious. It's called Blazing Saddles because there's one scene in which a bunch of guys are eating beans around the campfire and they get to blazing, if you know what I mean. Alex Karras, former football player, plays Mongo, a huge, dumb beast who likes to punch out horses. Cleavon Little, the sheriff, and Gene Wilder, Jim, the fastest gun in the west, are the main characters and generally behind most of the hijinks. Other great Mel movies are Young Frankenstein, Men in Tights, History of the World, and Spaceballs, a Star Wars spoof, just to name a few.
Honestly, you've got to watch the entire movie. It's one of the funniest comedies every made, making fun of all the Hollywood westerns that had come before it. At the same time, it takes a serious poke at the stupidity of racism and no one is spared. The first thing you notice is that the smartest character of all is Cleavon Little's sheriff, followed by the wisdom of Gene Wilder as his alcoholic partner. One thing that Hollywood has always been mistaken about is depicting cowboys as generally all-white. After the Civil War ended, and the slaves were freed by law, many headed to the west to make a living, away from the south and the cities. Nearly half of the cowboy population was, at one time, black. But, definitely, watch Blazing Saddles in its entirety. Then watch another Mel Brooks masterpiece, Young Frankenstein, which makes fun of all the monster movies.
Favorite line of that movie, “ send a message to the front office, tell the front office I said yeah ouch!!!” Dude said “ tell the front office that you said ouch. Gotcha!
You'd never catch them enjoying the clip on the world's largest video sharing platform in a reaction video, that's for sure! These young 'uns. _shakes fist _*_stomps ground_*
@@M2Mil7er try showing this or Dave Chapelle clip like the “Niggar” family to someone under 25. I’ve shown a few of my children and their friends and all of them struggle with it. They don’t laugh at first and all said “this is really wrong”. Then they may laugh but nervously. Sincerely, I may have reacted the same too at some points in my life especially in my younger life. But not now or when it aired because I remember watching it and laughing. BTW I’m white , usually don’t say because it’s not relevant but here it probably is. I wish we could all laugh at ourselves together then when true racism occurred, not cultural appropriation, we would be united already instead of only uniting under the tragedy of racism.
I really appreciate the way you two gentlemen present this video to everyone with peace and tolerance... and laugh at it. It would be understandable to show anger. Showing peace is part of the solution to racism. The white man who made this movie 'Mel Brooks' is Jewish and was a victim of racism himself from Nazi Adolf Hitler. Its obvious to me he wasnt being racist when he made this scene. He was ridiculing the history of racism in the world. And he made it funny as shit. Everyone cheered when they heard sheriff was near and then uncheered when he was near. .
