"Blazing Saddles" (1974) Review by Marshall Garvey Rating (0 to 5): 4 Grade: A- Starring Cleavon Little (Bart), Gene Wilder (Jim the Waco Kid), Slim Pickens (Taggart), David Huddleston (Olson Johnson), Liam Dunn (Reverend Johnson), Alex Karras (Mongo), Harvey Korman (Hedley Lamarr), Madeline Kahn (Lili Von Shtupp), Dom DeLuise (Buddy Bizarre), Mel Brooks (William J. LePetomaine/Indian Chief) Directed by Mel Brooks Produced by Michael Hertzberg Written by Andrew Bergman, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, and Alan Uger Original music by John Morris (with lyrics by Mel Brooks) Warner Bros. 93 minutes Rated R (brief sexuality, comic violence, crude humor, racial remarks, language)
The climax of "Blazing Saddles" shows both the good and the bad armies fighting each other. As they duke it out, they don't just brawl in the west: they carry it out onto a Warner Brothers sound stage, interrupting the filming of a musical, and engage the crew in the battle before flooding into the studio restaurant. After that, they pour out of the entrance and into the streets, and in a movie-in-a-movie-in-a-movie sort of ending, we see three of the characters catching the ending of the actual film at a theater, but in a more twisted sort of way than what I have described.
And yet, convoluted as this ending may sound, it is most fitting for "Blazing Saddles", Mel Brooks' widely popular western burlesque that pulls the laugh strings in several different ways as it unfolds. From its uproariously funny theme song to its performances, namely those of Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder, it stirs many a good laugh. However, it also has its fair share of jokes that fall flat, and some may find it offensive for its racial remarks and insults (although they aren't intended as messages or to be in offense. I mean, it is set in the 1800's after all.). At its best, though, "Blazing Saddles" is a great comedy, and serves as an excellent pick if you're looking for a good laugh or a satisfying pick for a Friday evening.
The film's story is sort of a comedic cross between "Once Upon A Time in the West" and "A Fistful of Dollars": Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), an assistant to the drunken Governor William J. LePetomaine (played by Mel Brooks himself), is looking to destroy the small, unadulterated town of Rock Ridge so a railroad can be built through it. As his first move, he sends out a band led by the slang talkin' Taggart (Slim Pickens from "Dr. Strangelove") to wreak havoc upon the town. Desperate, the town's reverend (Liam Dunn) and the other citizens agree to send out for a sheriff rather than risk one of themselves. Lamarr responds to the call, but to avoid corrupting his plan he decides to find a sheriff that will offend the townspeople so much they'll no longer seek his help. He peers out his window, and his question is answered: down in line at the gallows for one of many daily hangings is a black railroad worker named Bart (Cleavon Little), who becomes Rock Ridge's sheriff upon Lamarr's appointment.
When Bart rides into Rock Ridge in his new sheriff outfit, the town's population is less than flattered: in fact, they're so appalled and shocked that even the "Welcome Sheriff" sign retracts itself. Bart isn't offended, though, and even believes that the citizens will change their attitude once they get used to him (he's harshly proven wrong on this point when he tries to say hello to an old lady). Things change, though, when Taggart and Lamarr send out the gargantuan Mongo (former NFL player Alex Karras) and the seductive Lili Von Shtupp (Madeline Kahn) to stop the sheriff in his tracks, only to be outsmarted by him. So what do they do? Well, they organize an army consisting of almost every bad guy from WWII German soldiers to Mexican bandits to KKK members to wipe out Rock Ridge. But Bart has a valuable partner in prisoner Jim "The Waco Kid" (Gene Wilder) and a plan up his sleeve... along with a few contacts from the railroad.
"Blazing Saddles" holds a distinction that most comedies don't have. That distinction is that the story keeps at a good pace even when the laughs aren't abundant. This does not mean, however, that the film is devoid of good humor: I laughed often, and at times very hard. The one thing, though, that drew the most laughs was Gene Wilder's performance as Jim "The Waco Kid". Wilder, a mainstay in Mel Brooks films, has some of the best lines and is excellent as the washed up gunslinger. "My name is Jim, but some people call me... Jim." He says to Bart. Jim was once the greatest shot in the west, as he explains over a game of chess. "I must have killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille." he claims. Yet just how did he end up a poor, drinking loser? A six-year-old kid shot him in the rear. But he still has the quickest hands in the west, although they don't appear to move at all when he displays his speed.
There are many memorable moments in the film, with the best being a flashback story told by Bart that also spoofs the famous John Wayne film "Red River". The beans and bread dinner around the campfire and the aforementioned ending also rank as some of the best scenes. Better yet, though, is that the film's humor isn't just straightforward slapstick. In fact, there are some cleverly offbeat moments. The best comes when Bart, making his way to Rock Ridge on horseback, comes upon Count Basie and his orchestra, who provide the jazzy background music as he rides. The film even takes a poke at some of its own vulgarity in a scene where, as an old lady is being beaten up by Taggart's gang, she turns to the camera and says, "Have you ever seen such cruelty?" The film's obvious parody targets, of course, are the traits and conformities of the western genre, and it rips them perfectly (one excellent example is a scene where every single member of the town committee is listed as having Johnson for their last name).
I mentioned earlier that some may be offended by this film, and it is true. There's occasional use of the "n" word, and some stereotyping as well. I also mentioned that it isn't in any way intended as a message, which is also true (in fact, Bart turns out to be the wisest character in the entire film). True to form, it is set in the 1800's, but just in case you're sensitive to racism and plan on watching this film, be prepared. Otherwise, you'll definitely enjoy this great comedy.
Aside from Gene Wilder, the rest of the colorful cast shines excellently in their roles, and Cleavon Little (R.I.P.) gives the movie its chemistry and touch. Slim Pickens, Dom DeLuise, Liam Dunn, Alex Karras, and Harvey Korman as Hedley (not Hedy) Lamarr are all especially likeable, and even though the performances of Brooks and Madeline Kahn don't trigger as many laughs, they still have some excellent moments.
With "Young Frankenstein", another Brooks classic, having been released the same year as "Blazing Saddles", the question is: Which one is better? Well, I can't say for sure. Both are equal on many levels, although the humor in "Young Frankenstein" is a little sharper. Nevertheless, it's a comparison that's no pain to make, even if it is hard to decide. In fact, it's one I recommend you make next time you head out to rent something.
On a side note, be sure to look for Robert Ridgley in a small role as the executioner at the gallows.
This review is purely of my doing, and I do not copy off other reviewers.
So, what does this rating system mean anyway? *****-A masterpiece of filmmaking that should be seen at all costs ****1/2-A fabulous movie. An absolute must catch. ****-An excellent show. You tell your friends about it. ***1/2-A good film. Recommended. ***-Decent movie that could be a lot better. **1/2-Average movie with a number of flaws. **-Pretty bad with a few saving graces. *1/2-Bad. Don't see it. *-As much fun as having your seat kicked for two hours. 1/2-Just plain awful. 0-Death may come
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