Directed and co-starring Mel Brooks and screenplay by Brooks, Evan Chandler, and J. David Shapiro from a story by Chandler and Shapiro, Robin Hood: Men in Tights is the story of a royal who returns to Britain as he tries to reclaim his land from an evil prince and his sheriff with the aid of villagers. The film is a spoof on many variations of the Robin Hood story as it play into the legend and put a witty spin on it while making fun of other films as the titular character is played by Cary Elwes. Also starring Richard Lewis, Roger Rees, Amy Yasbeck, Isaac Hayes, Tracey Ullman, and introducing Dave Chappelle as Ahchoo. Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a delightful yet flawed film from Mel Brooks.
The film is essentially a spoof on the Robin Hood story as it plays with the origin story but also infuse it with anachronistic humor and other quirks. Yet, it does faithfully follow the original story about a man who loses his family home and land upon his return from the Crusades as an evil prince and sheriff have taken over England where they raise taxes. This would force Robin Hood to gather some local villagers to steal from the rich and give back to the poor as well as lead a revolt against Prince John (Richard Lewis) and the Sheriff of Rottingham (Roger Rees) while winning the heart of the fair Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck). The film’s script would put in some quirks such as the fact that Robin Hood is a bit smug as he would go into long speeches that gets old very fast while the Sheriff of Rottingham often speaks in spoonerism. Prince John often sports a fake mole unaware that he has one while the character of Friar Tuck is remained as a rabbi (Mel Brooks).
Mel Brooks’ direction is quite straightforward as it play into this world of medieval times where it was shot in various locations and studio lots in Southern California while it also has recurring gags that often breaks down the fourth wall accidentally. While much of the compositions are simple in the way he shoots close-ups and medium shots as it relates to the way he present characters and situations. There are a few wide shots in the film to establish some of the locations as Brooks is more about presenting the humor and do whatever he can to bring laughs. Some of it doesn’t work such as scene rapping merry men as well as other bits relating to 90s culture that ends up being very dated. Still, Brooks does manage to find way to create moments that are still funny as well as put in bits and references from his own films. Even as it help tell the story while doing whatever he can to make it fun. Overall, Brooks makes a enjoyable though flawed film about a man who revolts against an evil prince while trying to woo a maiden wearing a metallic chastity belt.
Cinematographer Michael D. O’Shea does nice work with the film‘s cinematography from the way many of the daytime exteriors are presented as well as some of the nighttime interior scenes. Editor Stephen E. Rivkin does excellent work with the editing with its stylish usage of dissolves for a musical sequence involving Maid Marian as well as some jump-cuts to play into some of the humor. Production designer Roy Forge Smith, with set decorator Ronald R. Reiss and art director Stephen Myles Berger, does fantastic work with the design of the sets from the prison in Jerusalem to what was once the Loxley castle until it was moved because of owed back taxes. Costume designer Dodie Shepard does wonderful work with the costumes from the design of Maid Marian’s chastity underwear belt to the clothes the men wear including the tights.
Visual effects supervisor Mat Beck does OK work with the few visual effects such as a major sequence involving an archery contest. Sound editors Gary S. Gerlich and Gregory M. Gerlich, with Harry E. Snodgrass, do terrific work with the sound in the way some of the sound effects are heard as well as how the arrows sound when they‘re shot into a target. The film’s music by Hummie Mann is superb for its orchestral-based score that is triumphant and playful while the film also feature some original songs written or co-written by Mel Brooks that are funny though the rap song isn‘t very good.
The casting by Lindsay Chag and Bill Shepard is great as it feature some notable small appearances and cameos from Robert Ridgely sort of reprising his hangman role from Blazing Saddles, Dick Van Patton as the abbot, Joe Dimmick as a Clint Eastwood look-alike assassin in Dirty Ezio, Steve Tancora as a champion archer in Filthy Luca, Brian George as a Jerusalem dungeon maitre d’, Avery Schreiber as a tax assessor, Megan Cavanagh as Maid Marian’s lady-in-waiting Broomhilde, and Patrick Stewart in a brief appearance as King Richard. Other noteworthy small roles include Isaac Hayes as Ahchoo’s father Asneeze that Robin meets at the Jerusalem dungeon, Dom DeLuise in a hilarious spoof of Marlon Brando’s Don Corleone character in Don Giovanni, and Mel Brooks as Rabbi Tuckman who joins Robin Hood in dealing with Prince John. Tracey Ullman is fantastic as Latrine as a sorceress/cook for Prince John who is willing to help him but what she wants is the Sheriff of Rottingham. Eric Allan Kramer and Matthew Porretta are terrific in their respective roles as Little John and Will Scarlett O’Hara with the former being a big but dimwitted ally of Robin Hood while the latter is good with knives.
Mark Blankfield is superb as Robin’s blind servant Blinkin who is a comic relief that often is in some sort of mishap due to his blindness. Dave Chappelle is excellent as Ahchoo as Robin’s right-hand man who would say some funny things but also come up with some inspiring plans. Amy Yasbeck is brilliant as Maid Marian as a virginal maiden who is trying to find her true love as well as the one who can get rid of her chastity belt underwear. Richard Lewis is amazing as Prince John as an evil royal who has a hard time trying to rule England as well as do bad things where Lewis is very funny. Roger Rees is hilarious as the Sheriff of Rottingham as a spoonerism-spouting sheriff who says offbeat things and put himself into very hilarious situations. Finally, there’s Cary Elwes in an incredible performance as the titular character as a royal who is eager to reclaim his land and help the poor while being the Robin Hood that can speak with an English accent.
Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a witty though flawed film from Mel Brooks. Despite some dated jokes, the film does offer plenty of laughs thanks to a great cast and some funny gags. In the end, Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a stellar film from Mel Brooks.
Mel Brooks Films: The Producers - (Twelve Chairs) - Blazing Saddles - Young Frankenstein - (Silent Movie) - High Anxiety - (History of the World, Part 1) - Spaceballs - (Life Stinks) - (Dracula: Dead and Loving It)
© thevoid99 2017
(In Memory of Gene Wilder 1933-2016)
Directed, starring, and songs by Mel Brooks and screenplay by Brooks, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, and Al Uger from a story by Bergman, Blazing Saddles is the story of a State Attorney General who conspires to have a railroad be built on a town while getting an African-American railroad worker to be its sheriff only for the sheriff to gain the trust of the locals to fight back. It’s a film that is a spoof of sorts on the western genre that includes some well-intended anachronisms as well as a commentary on race relations and ideas of the American West. Also starring Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Slim Pickens, David Huddleston, Alex Karras, and Dom DeLuise. Blazing Saddles is an off-the-wall and rip-roaring film from Mel Brooks.
Set in the American West, the film is about a railroad worker, who was about to be hanged for hitting his boss with a shovel, who becomes the sheriff for a town that is under the threat of bandits unaware that that the bandits are working for the State Attorney General wanting to build a railroad through the town. It’s a film that sort of makes fun of the western genre where it plays into every cliché that happens as well as provide some commentary about the modern world where this town is aghast over the fact that their new sheriff is African-American. The film’s script doesn’t just play into some satirical commentary on race relations but also what men of power would do to stop this sheriff only to be outwitted.
The script also has gags that doesn’t just play into clichés but also subvert many stereotypes of the genre such as this dim-witted henchman named Mongo (Alex Karras) who is revealed to be quite philosophical. Another gag in the film is the fact that it’s intentionally anachronistic where it adds to the film’s subversive approach to the genre as well as the fact that the antagonist Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman) is mistakenly called Hedy Lamarr. It adds to some of the absurdity that is in the script as well as the fact that it refuses to take itself too seriously.
Mel Brooks’ direction is quite simple in terms of the compositions he creates yet he definitely brings in a lot of the visual tropes that is expected in the western genre with its usage of wide and medium shots to capture the beauty of its locations. Shot in the back-lot studios of Warner Brothers, the film definitely play into some of the artificial aspects that is common with the genre while also creating these moments that are offbeat. Even with the anachronistic elements such as an audition scene for Lamarr’s posse where there’s German soldiers from World War I, bikers, and Ku Klux Klan members as well as a scene in the climax where the film literally breaks the fourth wall. It’s among these moments of the absurd that makes it so interesting while Brooks isn’t afraid to be politically-incorrect as it add to a lot of the humor that occurs in the film. Even as Brooks is willing to go into lowbrow territory just to maintain that sense of joy and laughter without deterring too much from the story. Overall, Brooks creates a witty yet sensational film about an African-American sheriff fighting for liberty, justice, and German sausages.
Cinematographer Joseph F. Biroc does excellent work with the cinematography as it is very straightforward in its approach to the daytime exteriors while using some light for some of the interiors and scenes set at night. Editors Danford Greene and John C. Howard do nice work with the editing as it is very straightforward with some stylish cutting for some of the transitions. Production designer Peter Wooley and set decorator Morris Hoffman do amazing work with the look of the town as well as the office of Lamarr and Governor Le Petomane. The sound work of Gene S. Cantamessa does superb work with the sound as it‘s straightforward in playing up the chaos of the West. The film’s music by John Morris is wonderful for its orchestral-based music that play into the world of the American West as it includes some songs written by Mel Brooks that are very funny.
The casting by Nessa Hyams is great as it features notable small roles and appearances from Robyn Hilton as the governor’s busty secretary, Ralph Manza as an actor playing Adolf Hitler, Count Basie as himself, Robert Ridgely as the hangman Boris, Rodney Allen Rippy as a young Bart, Anne Bancroft as an extra at the congregation, Richard Collier as the town doctor, Liam Dunn as the local reverend, Carol Arthur as the local schoolmarm, Charles McGregor as Bart’s friend Charlie, Burton Gilliam as Taggart’s henchman Lyle, and David Huddleston as one of the locals in Olson Johnson who isn’t receptive about Bart because he’s African-American. Dom DeLuise is fantastic as filmmaker Buddy Bizarre who is trying to make a Busby Berkeley-style musical while Mel Brooks is superb in a dual role as the dim-witted Governor William J. Le Pentomane and a Yiddish-speaking Indian chief the young Bart meets. Alex Karras is excellent as Mongo as this big and strong man who looks and seem like the dumbest person around yet is surprisingly philosophical where he eventually helps Bart and Jim.
Slim Pickens is brilliant as Taggart as Lamarr’s henchman who is the personification of every cliché of the western genre where he says all sorts of shit and does idiotic things. Madeline Kahn is amazing as Lili Von Shtupp aka the Teutonic Titwillow as German seductress/performer who is asked by Lamarr to seduce Bart only to fall for Bart. Harvey Korman is incredible as Hedley Lamarr who always has to correct people for saying his name wrong as he is this state attorney general trying to do whatever he can to destroy a small town so he can get this railroad built. Gene Wilder is phenomenal as Jim aka the Waco Kid as the fastest gunslinger in the world that is trying to escape his past while later helping out Bart in every way where Wilder provides a lot of humor without doing much. Finally, there’s Cleavon Little in a sensational performance as Bart as a railroad worker who becomes sheriff for a town unaware that he is meant to cause trouble only to win over the people and do whatever it takes to outwit and outplay the bad guys.
Blazing Saddles is a magnificent film from Mel Brooks. Featuring a great cast, hilarious gags, witty commentary on social and racial issues, and some off-the-wall humor. It’s a film that isn’t just a great spoof on the western but also manages to do a lot of things and more to create something that is full-on entertainment. In the end, Blazing Saddles is an outstanding film from Mel Brooks.
Mel Brooks Films: The Producers - (Twelve Chairs) - Young Frankenstein - (Silent Movie) - High Anxiety - (History of the World, Part 1) - Spaceballs - (Life Stinks) - Robin Hood: Men in Tights - (Dracula: Dead and Loving It)
© thevoid99 2016
Directed by Hal Needham and screenplay Jerry Belson and Brock Yates from a story by Michael Kane, Smokey and the Bandit II is the sequel to the 1977 film in which the Bandit and the Snowman are asked to transport an elephant to the GOP National Convention in Texas from Miami with the aid of Frog as they’re once again pursued by Buford T. Justice aka Smokey. The film is another adventure of fun and car chases in the South where the Bandit tries to go for another ride as well as deal with some issues as Burt Reynolds reprises his role of the Bandit and Jackie Gleason once again playing Smokey. Also starring Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Mike Henry, David Huddleston, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams, and Dom DeLuise. Smokey and the Bandit II is a wild yet adventurous film from Hal Needham.
The film is sort of a rehash of the first film where the Bandit is being asked to transport an elephant to the GOP National Convention in Texas where he will be paid lots of money as he also has to endure the pursuit of Smokey and his dim-witted son Junior (Mike Henry). Yet, the situation is different as it relates to Big Enos Burdette (Pat McCormick) trying to run for governor of Texas with help from his son Little Enos (Paul Williams) as they deal with their rival candidate John Coen (David Huddleston) where things had gotten ugly. The Burdettes are trying to get the Bandit to help them but the Bandit has become a drunken, washed-up mess who is dealing with heartbreak and the downside of fame. The film’s script doesn’t just explore the Bandit trying to get back in the game with help from his friend Cledus aka Snowman (Jerry Reed) and ex-girlfriend Carrie aka Frog (Sally Field).
Once they learn what they have to transport and get some help from an Italian doctor in Doc Carlucci (Dom DeLuise), the stakes get much higher as it adds to the Bandit thinking more about himself rather than this elephant. The Bandit’s selfishness lead to some tension but also some issues that relates to the Bandit who is still trying to coast on his fame without really thinking about the fact that not everyone likes him. It is a harsh reality that the Bandit has to face while knowing that he is still being pursued by Smokey who has called on some help from his brothers Reggie and Gaylord (both played by Jackie Gleason) for a wild climax.
Hal Needham’s direction is quite lavish for its big action sequences and moments that are quite spectacular as it includes a massive climax involving lots of police cars and trucks. Yet, the film is more grounded where even though Needham uses a lot of wide and medium shots for many of the film’s locations as much of it is set in Florida with a few shots in Texas and Georgia. Needham’s usage of close-ups and some of the medium shots to focus on the characters where they would rest for a while would really be the meat of the film as it showcased characters coping with their situations. Even as there’s a scene where a gas station attendant thinks the Bandit is an asshole as the Bandit takes offense to that as it does add to some of the reality in the film. Needham does manage to balance that reality with some humor where some of it is lowbrow from the opening sequence the Burdettes and their rival do outlandish things to humiliate each other. It all plays into some of the hilarity that occurs throughout the film as it is all about a chase and a trooper trying to get some revenge. Overall, Needham creates a fun and exhilarating film about a trooper trying to catch a trucker.
Cinematographer Michael Butler does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography as it is colorful as it plays into the vibrancy of the locations in Florida along with some unique lighting for some of the scenes at night and in some of the interiors in the truck. Editors Donn Cambern and William Gordean do nice work with the editing as it is straightforward with some stylish rhythmic cuts to play into the humor and action. Production designer Henry Bumstead, with set decorator Richard J. DeCinces and art director Bernie Cutler, does fantastic work with the look of the truck interior as well as some of the places the characters go to.
Carrie’s costumes designed by Bob Mackie are amazing from the wedding dress she wears to some of the stylish clothes she would wear during her trip as it play to her sense of style as opposed to the more cowboy look of the Bandit. Sound editor Gordon Davidson does terrific work with the sound as it is natural with some sound effects that help play into the action. Snuff Garrett does wonderful work with the film’s soundtrack that includes a few country-inspired score pieces by Garrett as well as a lot of country music from Jerry Reed, the Statler Brothers, Tanya Tucker, Mel Tillis, Burt Reynolds, Brenda Lee, and Don Williams.
The film’s superb cast include cameo appearances from Brenda Lee as woman attending the wedding, the Statler Brothers and Don Williams as themselves, Chuck Yeager as a party guest, Mel Tillis as a fairgrounds owner, and football legends “Mean Joe” Greene and Terry Bradshaw as themselves helping out the Bandit. John Anderson is terrific as the Texas governor who is angry over the mud-slinging between Coen and the Burdettes while David Huddleston is fantastic as the Burdettes’ opponent in John Coen who decides to humiliate them in the worst way. Mike Henry is wonderful as Justice’s dim-witted son Junior who is once again left in the altar by Carrie as he would say some dumb-ass things. Pat McCormick and Paul Williams are excellent in their respective roles as Big and Little Enos Burdette as the father-son duo where the former is trying to run for governor and pay off the Bandit and Snowman money to do a job for them in three days.
Dom DeLuise is hilarious as Doc Carlucci as an Italian doctor who is asked to help watch over the elephant Charlotte as he provides some nice comical moments that is fun to watch. Jerry Reed is brilliant as the Snowman who would convince the Bandit to do the job as he would name the elephant as he becomes fond of her where he realizes there is much more at stake instead of money. Sally Field is amazing as Carrie aka Frog as the Bandit’s former flame who joins the job for money while she tries to understand what is wrong with the Bandit while becoming concerned for the elephant Charlotte where she gives the Bandit a hard dose of reality. Jackie Gleason is phenomenal in a trio of roles as Buford T. Justice aka Smokey as well as his brothers in the effeminate Gaylord and the opera-loving Mountie Reginald where Gleason provides a lot of humor and hilarious comments as it’s one of his finest performances. Finally, there’s Burt Reynolds in a marvelous performance as the Bandit as the trucker who is dealing with heartbreak as he copes with doing his job but also attain that status as an icon not knowing that not everyone likes him where it’s a performance that has Reynolds be funny but also display some humility.
Smokey and the Bandit II is an excellent film from Hal Needham. Though it isn’t entirely original as it sort of rehashes everything. It is a film that is all about a lot of fun as it involves elephants, big chases, and all sorts of crazy shit. In the end, Smokey and the Bandit II is a superb film from Hal Needham.
Hal Needham Films: Smokey and the Bandit - (Hooper) - (The Villain (1979 film)) - (Death Car on the Freeway) - (The Cannonball Run) - (Megaforce) - (Stroker Ace) - (Cannonball Run II) - (Rad) - (Body Slam)
Related: Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
© thevoid99 2016
Written, directed, and starring Woody Allen that is based on his 1966 play, Don’t Drink the Water is the story about an American family traveling through Europe where they find themselves in Eastern Europe during the Cold War. The TV film explores a family finding themselves in trouble in an Eastern Europe country as they hope to get out but things get complicated due to an ambassador’s son. Also starring Michael J. Fox, Julie Kavner, Mayim Bialik, Edward Herrmann, Josef Sommer, and Dom DeLuise. Don’t Drink the Water is a very funny TV film from Woody Allen.
Set during the Cold War, the film explores a family who find themselves stuck in an Eastern European country where chaos ensue as they hide out at the American embassy where they get stuck there for several weeks. With the help of an ambassador’s son who is very inexperienced with his job, the family does whatever to leave the embassy and the country but various problems ensue as they also to deal with bad food, a magical priest (Dom DeLuise), and all sorts of chaos as they don’t make anything easier for the embassy as they’re dealing with a visiting foreign dignitary.
It’s a premise that is quite simple as it’s told by a narrator (Ed Herlihy) who reveals a lot of the chaos that goes on as a young ambassador named Axel McGee (Michael J. Fox) tries to fill in for his father (Josef Sommer) who is back in the U.S. for a possible cabinet position. For the young McGee, the situation he has to deal with proves to be overwhelming as the American family he shelters prove to be more than they bargain for. Especially as the patriarch Walter Hollander (Woody Allen) is a neurotic caterer with very sensitive taste, his wife Marion (Julie Kavner) keeps calling everyone back in New Jersey, and their 20-year old daughter Susan (Mayim Bialik) who is engaged to be married. McGee tries to find ways to get them out of the country only causing more trouble where a lot of hilarity ensues.
Allen’s direction is quite simple as he shoots most of it in a soundstage set as an embassy with some shots set in some locations to create something that did feel like the Cold War is happening. Though there’s moments where the comedy can overwhelm things a bit and drag the story, the direction is still quite lively and intimate. Even as it has a few recurring gags and such where Allen wanted to maintain the sense of theatricality in the TV film. Particularly as Allen finds way to put the actors into a frame or create a setting where there chaos ensues. Despite its flaws, Allen still creates a very witty comedy about a family trapped behind the Iron Curtain.
Cinematographer Carlo Di Palma does excellent work with the cinematography as it‘s mostly straightforward for many of the film‘s interior scenes as well as a shots set in the exterior scenes. Editor Susan E. Morse does nice work with the editing from the opening use of stock footage for a montage on the Cold War to the more straightforward approach to cutting throughout the TV film. Production designer Santo Loquasto, with set decorator Susan Bode and art director Peter Eastman, does amazing work with the set pieces from the look of the embassy and its rooms.
Costume designer Suzy Benzinger does terrific work with the 60s-based clothes that the women wear along with the suits and casual clothes of the men. Sound editors Bitty O’Sullivan-Smith and Dan Sable do superb work with the sound from the way gunfire is sound to other things set in the location. The film’s music consists of classical pieces by Gheorghe Zamfir, Aram Khachaturyan, and Sandor Lakatos as it is played to elements of comedy and drama to display the sense of craziness in the TV film.
The casting by Juliet Taylor is brilliant for the ensemble that is assembled as it features some notable small performances from Robert Stanton and Rosemary Murphy as a couple of aides of the ambassador, Austin Pendleton as a chef who is constantly insulted by Walter, Vit Horejs as a Eastern European agent eager to capture the Hollanders, Erick Avari as the Emir’s aide, John Doumanian as the Emir, Josef Sommer as Axel’s father Ambassador McGee, and Edward Herrmann as McGee’s right-hand man in Mr. Kilroy. Dom DeLuise is hilarious as wannabe-magician Father Drobney as a man who also has contacts with a resistance group that can get the Hollanders back to America.
Julie Kavner is wonderful as Marion Hollander as a woman trying to adjust to her situation as she constantly cleans the embassy and take up all of the phone lines to call her relatives. Mayim Bialik is excellent as Susan Hollander as a young engaged woman who falls for Axel McGee while dealing with the craziness around her. Michael J. Fox is terrific as Axel McGee as a young ambassador trying to deal with the situation and the chaos as well as finding a way to get the Hollanders back to America. Finally, there’s Woody Allen in a fine role as Walter Hollander as a very nebbish and neurotic caterer where Allen does his usual persona where it does get a little overwhelming at times though he does provide some very funny moments.
Don’t Drink the Water is an entertaining comedy from Woody Allen that features some superb performances from Michael J. Fox, Dom DeLuise, Mayim Bialik, and Julie Kavner. While it’s a TV film that may be a minor project from Allen, it is still something that is very funny as well as something that fans of his work should see. In the end, Don’t Drink the Water is a very good TV film from Woody Allen.
Woody Allen Films: What's Up Tiger Lily? - Take the Money and Run - Bananas - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) - Sleeper - Love and Death - Annie Hall - Interiors - Manhattan - Stardust Memories - A Midsummer's Night Sex Comedy - Zelig - Broadway Danny Rose - The Purple Rose of Cairo - Hannah & Her Sisters - Radio Days - September - Another Woman - New York Stories: Oedipus Wrecks - Crimes & Misdemeanors - Alice - Shadows and Fog - Husbands and Wives - Manhattan Murder Mystery - Bullets Over Broadway - Mighty Aphrodite - Everyone Says I Love You - Deconstructing Harry - Celebrity - Sweet & Lowdown - Small Time Crooks - The Curse of the Jade Scorpion - Hollywood Ending - Anything Else - Melinda & Melinda - Match Point - Scoop - Cassandra’s Dream - Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Whatever Works - You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger - Midnight in Paris - To Rome with Love - Blue Jasmine - Magic in the Moonlight - Irrational Man - (Cafe Society)
The Auteurs #24: Woody Allen Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 - Pt. 4
© thevoid99 2013
