Episode 5: Blazing Saddles (1974)
Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder were pretty much a staple in my home growing up; at an early age I was indoctrinated with History of the World, Part 1 and Young Frankenstein, but never really got around to watching Blazing Saddles until years later. This is the one that really put Mel Brooks on the map and, as I explain in the podcast, it paved the way for future comedies like Airplane! Blazing Saddles was also, in a way, the last of a dying genre: since the 1980's comedies have seen box office success but, like horror movies, are often shunned by critics. This film stands out as a testament both to Brooks the writer and director, and also to the time it was made. It was recently released in a special edition on Blu Ray to celebrate its 40th anniversary.