Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Cadillac played key role in 'Blazing Saddles'

Spoiler alert for anyone who has not seen

Blazing Saddles

since its release in 1974. But then again, you might turn yourself into the authorities. It has been 40 years.

The ending of the classic Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles features our two heroes (Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder) riding horses off into the sunset -- just before they jump off and slide into a Cadillac limousine.

An odd and fantastic ending for a cowboy movie set in 1874.

"That's one of the the private peaks of the movie for me," says Brooks, the director and star. "It still makes me cry. I'm all puddled up as they drive off in the red sunset."

Brooks, who is celebrating the movie's 40th anniversary with a commemorative Blu-Ray release, worked with Richard Pryor on the screenplay and knew he wanted that ending.

"They had to get off those horses and still ride off into the sunset. So I wanted a Caddy limousine," says Brooks.

The only problem was getting the new, stretch Caddy to the remote location. Not its usual terrain.

"I did not want a road, I wanted more of a trail. I wanted it on the desert. We had to map out this road and have he driver make sure he did not hit too many cacti and rocks," says Brooks. "It was hard."

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Mission accomplished. Brooks got his perfect ending. Blazing Saddles is a classic ranked number six on the American Film Institute's list of greatest comedies of all time.

Most of all, the filmmaker got his deposit back on the Caddy rental.

"We were lucky, maybe it was a little dusty," says Brooks. "But no damage."

Cleavon Little stars as an unlikely sheriff and Madeline Kahn as the dance-hall singer who falls for him in 'Blazing Saddles.' The film turns 40 with a commemorative Blu-ray release (out May 6) featuring commentary from director and star Mel Brooks, who believes it is the greatest comedy ever. Cleavon Little stars as an unlikely sheriff and Madeline Kahn as the dance-hall singer who falls for him in 'Blazing Saddles.' The film turns 40 with a commemorative Blu-ray release (out May 6) featuring commentary from director and star Mel Brooks, who believes it is the greatest comedy ever.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Director Mel Brooks, pictured here on the set, believes the film is "by far the funniest" of his own classic films which includes "The Producers" (1967) and "Young Frankenstein" (1974). As far as the greatest comedy of all time, Brooks has no doubt there either. "It's the most real belly laughs for any movie ever made," he says. Director Mel Brooks, pictured here on the set, believes the film is "by far the funniest" of his own classic films which includes "The Producers" (1967) and "Young Frankenstein" (1974). As far as the greatest comedy of all time, Brooks has no doubt there either. "It's the most real belly laughs for any movie ever made," he says.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Mel Brooks starred as Gov. Lepetomane in 'Blazing Saddles.' Even 40 years after its release, Brooks says the movie speaks to a growing legion of fans. He received two standing ovations at a Hollywood TCM Film Festival screening in April before showing the film to an enthusiastic audience of all ages. "It still resonates today. It has something to say to each generation that comes along." Mel Brooks starred as Gov. Lepetomane in 'Blazing Saddles.' Even 40 years after its release, Brooks says the movie speaks to a growing legion of fans. He received two standing ovations at a Hollywood TCM Film Festival screening in April before showing the film to an enthusiastic audience of all ages. "It still resonates today. It has something to say to each generation that comes along."  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Mel Brooks also starred as Indian Chief in the film, which took on serious topics of race relations in a comedic way. "The engine that runs 'Blazing Saddles' is hatred and race prejudice," Brooks says. Mel Brooks also starred as Indian Chief in the film, which took on serious topics of race relations in a comedic way. "The engine that runs 'Blazing Saddles' is hatred and race prejudice," Brooks says.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Brooks says Madeline Kahn, as performer Lili Von Shtupp, was a "gift from God" in the film. The two would go on to work together on 'Young Frankenstein' and 'History of the World, Part 1' before Kahn died in 1999. "I miss her so much," he says. Brooks says Madeline Kahn, as performer Lili Von Shtupp, was a "gift from God" in the film. The two would go on to work together on 'Young Frankenstein' and 'History of the World, Part 1' before Kahn died in 1999. "I miss her so much," he says.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen "A world without Harvey Korman — it's a more serious world," Mel Brooks said when the great actor died in 2008 at age 81. Korman (with Madeline Kahn) played conniving Hedley Lamarr in the film. "A world without Harvey Korman — it's a more serious world," Mel Brooks said when the great actor died in 2008 at age 81. Korman (with Madeline Kahn) played conniving Hedley Lamarr in the film.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Brooks says he would never re-edit or touch the film 40 years later. There will be no director's cut. "It's not my film now, it's the world's film. I don't want to touch a frame of it." Here,Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), Gov. Lepetomane (Brooks) and Miss Stein (Robyn Hilton)cavort while cows walk through the scene. Brooks says he would never re-edit or touch the film 40 years later. There will be no director's cut. "It's not my film now, it's the world's film. I don't want to touch a frame of it." Here,Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), Gov. Lepetomane (Brooks) and Miss Stein (Robyn Hilton)cavort while cows walk through the scene.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Comedian Richard Pryor was supposed to play the sheriff in the film. But because of personal issues, Cleavon Little had to step in. Even Pryor liked the choice and continued to work on the screenplay with Brooks. "Little) was New York stage classy. He was so far superior to all the rednecks (in the film). He was perfect," Brooks says. Comedian Richard Pryor was supposed to play the sheriff in the film. But because of personal issues, Cleavon Little had to step in. Even Pryor liked the choice and continued to work on the screenplay with Brooks. "Little) was New York stage classy. He was so far superior to all the rednecks (in the film). He was perfect," Brooks says.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen The film features an infamous campfire scene, which deals with the digestive impact of beans on cowboys. Brooks says he was always fascinated how screen cowboys ate only beans without negative repercussions. Here, Taggart (Slim Pickens) looks at Mongo (Alex Karras) with a smoking hat. The film features an infamous campfire scene, which deals with the digestive impact of beans on cowboys. Brooks says he was always fascinated how screen cowboys ate only beans without negative repercussions. Here, Taggart (Slim Pickens) looks at Mongo (Alex Karras) with a smoking hat.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Brooks concedes that he can watch most of his own films only once or twice. "But the truth is, I can see 'Blazing Saddles' 25 times, and it works every time. Two nights ago, I watched it at a friend's house. We all fell about laughing," he says. Here, Alex Karras' Mongo rides an ox through town. Brooks concedes that he can watch most of his own films only once or twice. "But the truth is, I can see 'Blazing Saddles' 25 times, and it works every time. Two nights ago, I watched it at a friend's house. We all fell about laughing," he says. Here, Alex Karras' Mongo rides an ox through town.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen How does Brooks plan to celebrate the 40th anniversary? "Drink a lot of Old West bourbon. Just get drunk. Fall flat on my face and say, 'It was fun making it folks,' " he says. Mongo (Alex Karras) has the same idea as he breaks through the saloon doors. How does Brooks plan to celebrate the 40th anniversary? "Drink a lot of Old West bourbon. Just get drunk. Fall flat on my face and say, 'It was fun making it folks,' " he says. Mongo (Alex Karras) has the same idea as he breaks through the saloon doors.  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Brooks has flirted with the idea of a 'Blazing Saddles' musical. But mostly, he's just proud of his greatest film on its birthday. "The great thing about 'Blazing Saddles' is that it will never die." Brooks has flirted with the idea of a 'Blazing Saddles' musical. But mostly, he's just proud of his greatest film on its birthday. "The great thing about 'Blazing Saddles' is that it will never die."  (Photo: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) Fullscreen Gene Wilder was not the first choice to play the fast-shooting sidekick in the film. "I didn't want him. I was so stupid," Brooks says. But Wilder filled in at the 11th hour. "He said to get a cowboy outfit ready, I'll be on the next plane. He saved my life." Gene Wilder was not the first choice to play the fast-shooting sidekick in the film. "I didn't want him. I was so stupid," Brooks says. But Wilder filled in at the 11th hour. "He said to get a cowboy outfit ready, I'll be on the next plane. He saved my life."  (Photo: Warner Bros.) Fullscreen Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:ReplayCleavon Little stars as an unlikely sheriff and Madeline Kahn as the dance-hall singer who falls for him in 'Blazing Saddles.' The film turns 40 with a commemorative Blu-ray release (out May 6) featuring commentary from director and star Mel Brooks, who believes it is the greatest comedy ever.Director Mel Brooks, pictured here on the set, believes the film is "by far the funniest" of his own classic films which includes "The Producers" (1967) and "Young Frankenstein" (1974). As far as the greatest comedy of all time, Brooks has no doubt there either. "It's the most real belly laughs for any movie ever made," he says.Mel Brooks starred as Gov. Lepetomane in 'Blazing Saddles.' Even 40 years after its release, Brooks says the movie speaks to a growing legion of fans. He received two standing ovations at a Hollywood TCM Film Festival screening in April before showing the film to an enthusiastic audience of all ages. "It still resonates today. It has something to say to each generation that comes along."Mel Brooks also starred as Indian Chief in the film, which took on serious topics of race relations in a comedic way. "The engine that runs 'Blazing Saddles' is hatred and race prejudice," Brooks says.Brooks says Madeline Kahn, as performer Lili Von Shtupp, was a "gift from God" in the film. The two would go on to work together on 'Young Frankenstein' and 'History of the World, Part 1' before Kahn died in 1999. "I miss her so much," he says."A world without Harvey Korman — it's a more serious world," Mel Brooks said when the great actor died in 2008 at age 81. Korman (with Madeline Kahn) played conniving Hedley Lamarr in the film.Brooks says he would never re-edit or touch the film 40 years later. There will be no director's cut. "It's not my film now, it's the world's film. I don't want to touch a frame of it." Here,Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), Gov. Lepetomane (Brooks) and Miss Stein (Robyn Hilton)cavort while cows walk through the scene.Comedian Richard Pryor was supposed to play the sheriff in the film. But because of personal issues, Cleavon Little had to step in. Even Pryor liked the choice and continued to work on the screenplay with Brooks. "Little) was New York stage classy. He was so far superior to all the rednecks (in the film). He was perfect," Brooks says.The film features an infamous campfire scene, which deals with the digestive impact of beans on cowboys. Brooks says he was always fascinated how screen cowboys ate only beans without negative repercussions. Here, Taggart (Slim Pickens) looks at Mongo (Alex Karras) with a smoking hat.Brooks concedes that he can watch most of his own films only once or twice. "But the truth is, I can see 'Blazing Saddles' 25 times, and it works every time. Two nights ago, I watched it at a friend's house. We all fell about laughing," he says. Here, Alex Karras' Mongo rides an ox through town.How does Brooks p! lan to ce! lebrate the 40th anniversary? "Drink a lot of Old West bourbon. Just get drunk. Fall flat on my face and say, 'It was fun making it folks,' " he says. Mongo (Alex Karras) has the same idea as he breaks through the saloon doors.Brooks has flirted with the idea of a 'Blazing Saddles' musical. But mostly, he's just proud of his greatest film on its birthday. "The great thing about 'Blazing Saddles' is that it will never die."Gene Wilder was not the first choice to play the fast-shooting sidekick in the film. "I didn't want him. I was so stupid," Brooks says. But Wilder filled in at the 11th hour. "He said to get a cowboy outfit ready, I'll be on the next plane. He saved my life."AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext Slide
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