Master comedian Mel Brooks was born on this day in 1926. Few people know that Brooks was a combat engineer in WW2, building bridges and clearing minefields so Allied troops could advance and kick Nazi ass. Keep kicking Nazi ass, you wonderful mensch, we need you more than ever. pic.twitter.com/AoLQIBhpiD
— Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) June 28, 2023
Mel Brooks turns 97 today, which is amazing in itself but more amazing that he's still quite active writing, producing, voicing, whatevering new stuff. Don't know abt you but what must now be seen as his early/mid-career stuff was key element of my 70/80s childhood.
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) June 28, 2023
And still active on Twitter, too!
It’s always nice when a mensch like Brooks gets his tributes while he can still appreciate them:
… As the legendary actor, filmmaker and comedian celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, Brooks shared a reflection on his life and longtime Hollywood career with PEOPLE.
“First of all, I am very happy to still be alive!” Brooks — whom the the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday will receive an honorary Oscar at the 14th Governors Awards in November — tells PEOPLE in a statement.
“But secondly, it is so nice to be recognized by my peers in The Academy over 50 years after my last Oscar,” he adds. “A long time ago I was given a choice: I had an offer to be working as an apprentice accountant or as a coffee runner in show business. I’m still glad I chose the coffee.” …
During his 97 years on earth, Mel Brooks has learned a lot about happiness. What’s his secret? For our July/August issue, @JuddApatow interviewed the Hollywood legend, whose birthday is today, about his life in comedy: https://t.co/uuIuqBRcwN pic.twitter.com/vHGe1HdI0g
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) June 28, 2023
Haven’t had a chance to read the whole thing yet, but looks to be worth it:
Apatow: Do you have an interpretation of how people have changed over the generations? Or do you think it’s all basically the same?
Brooks: No, it’s not basically the same. They’ve changed, mostly for the better, mostly for being more tolerant and more understanding about people. And you know, as a matter of fact, it’s only recently that I’m aware of so much anti-Semitism. For many years, there was none that I was aware of…
Brooks: In the Army, I was entertaining and I was fun, and they overlooked that I was Jewish. They just liked me for my personality.
Apatow: Were you depressed?
Brooks: No! It was terrible and wonderful.
Apatow: And the wonderful part was the camaraderie?
Brooks: The wonderful part was camaraderie. The day the war ended, or was going to be ended, it was May 7. And they said, “Tomorrow, the war ends.” A buddy came with me from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where we both learned how to be radio operators for the Field Artillery—we both located into the combat engineers. He said to me, “Come with me.” We were in a little schoolhouse. And in the basement, he had set up a table with white wine. And he said, “We’re going to sleep here tonight and stay here all day tomorrow.” And I said, “Why?” He said, “Because tomorrow is going to be V-E Day. And knowing soldiers, they’re going to shoot their rifles up and yell and celebrate. Shoot a lot of stuff up in the air, forgetting that some of those bullets have to come down. So we’re going to spend all of it here.” Until when the celebration was over…
Splitting Image
Many happy returns to Mel, director of at least a half-dozen comedies that could be declared the best of all time, depending on one’s age and taste.
I was watching The Producers just the other day. Making Gene Wilder a star is only one of the things people should be grateful to Mel for.
Keith P.
My grandfather had a story about VE day just like this – his big memories (I had to interview a veteran for a school project) were the bullets raining down from celebration and a napalm depot blowing up (I can’t remember if it was caused by the bullets), leaving strands of burned napalm hanging down from everywhere.
The Thin Black Duke
@Keith P.: Aside from his comedic genius, I applaud Brooks for backing David Lynch when investors got nervous over this oddball film called The Elephant Man.
Matt McIrvin
He could have made more money from a flop than a hit!…
Mike in NC
He’s a national treasure to be sure.
A brief thank you note to everybody who sent condolences to us earlier today on the unexpected passing of our little buddy Pierre. Growing up, my brothers and I weren’t permitted to have any animal companions, not even a goldfish. Then in 1990 I met a woman and her cat, and I became smitten with both. I’ve been a feline fanatic ever since and we’ve lived with several of these wonderful creatures.
Keith P.
@The Thin Black Duke: I’d forgotten about that – I have a couple of Lynch biographies. David Lynch is my favorite filmmaker (and I’m somewhat obsessed with “Twin Peaks”), so this puts Mel at about an 11.
Alison Rose
I grew up watching Mel Brooks’ movies and so many lines became part of our family lexicon. (Yes, my parents let me watch stuff like Blazing Saddles as a child. They were hippies, what can you do…) I could not count the number of times someone in our house said that something could be worse, and someone else would immediately reply “could be raining”.
Also, unrelated but since it’s an OT and this was super cool: A 13-year-old girl from Australia, Arisa Trew, just became the first female skateboarder to land a 720 in competition, and Tony Hawk–who created the move in 1985–was there to see it. I don’t care about skateboarding but this was awesome. I especially loved seeing how jazzed the boys in the competition were for her!
raven
Eleven people were killed in San Francisco on VJ Day.
Baud
Awesome.
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
cliosfanboy
@Mike in NC:
oh, I am so sorry… it is so hard to say goodbye to a loved furry family member.
cliosfanboy
Oops
Steeplejack
How could we forget that it’s also the birthday of super genius Elon Musk (1971)?! 🙀
JoyceH
I do love to see people out and about and sharp at older ages. Like the new movie genre of women in their 80s having adventures and getting into madcap trouble. Makes me feel like I still have some adventures to look forward to.
Elizabelle
@Steeplejack: One of these men made millions of people laugh.
On purpose.
cliosfanboy
He’s 97? Only 1903 years to go.
karen marie
HB, Mel!
On the assumption that this is an open thread, Imma leave you with this excellent synopsis in re why many have little to no pity for the OceanGate fools.
Sure Lurkalot
@JoyceH:
Have you read The Thursday Murder Club? One of the main characters is also Joyce and your words could be hers!
brantl
Brooks needs to make a movie about Musk. Elongated Husk? (with a silhouette of a saggy condom)?
TriassicSands
A top contender in 2023 to win “The Year’s Most Depressing Headline.” (Headlines that deal with Trump or the Republican Party are not eligible — it’s a matter of fairness.¹)
Human beings have a nearly infinite capacity to delight and disappoint.
Scientists and academics who commit research fraud can cause problems that ripple through life and further undermine the public’s distrust of not just science, but expertise in general. I don’t know how this will turn out, but even if it is ultimately decided that there was no wrong-doing, some damage has already been done. If it weren’t for research fraud, RFK Jr. might not be clowning around now spewing his anti-vax nonsense.
¹If Trump and Republicans were allowed to compete, they might hold the first 100 or so places.
prostratedragon
Wow, Happy Birthday, Mr. Brooks!
Just this minute finished a docu that featured him as a commentator, Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story. The subject is a couple who each made major contributions to Hollywood productions, and it is also a great love story. It’s on Prime or whatever TCM is using for streaming.
sdhays
@TriassicSands: He would definitely be clowning around since that’s what clowns do, but vaccines might not be part of his act.
That man – the researcher – has caused a lot of death and misery.
TriassicSands
@Mike in NC:
I’m so sorry about Pierre.
Cats are wonderful. They surprise and amaze in countless ways and even “ordinary” cats can always fall back on having one of the most beautiful body structures in nature.
There is no answer to our critter’s relatively short life spans. I once spoke with a woman who had a succession of Bernese Mountain dogs. They have among the shortest life spans of any canine, and they are, in my experience, as wonderful as any dog breed. I asked the woman how she could do it — have one amazing dog after another than often only lived seven or eight years. She said, “You just love them while they’re here.” That’s probably the best explanation possible.
Pierre was lucky to have you and that made it worthwhile. It just doesn’t help that much with the loss.
TriassicSands
@sdhays:
Agreed, to borrow an expression (sort of): Clowns are gonna clown.
You’re probably right, he just would have found some other way to attract attention.
Note: somewhere alone the line the “s” got clipped off the end of the word — it should be “findings,” not finding. I blame that entirely on Trump.
prostratedragon
@Keith P.: What is it to be “somewhat” obsessed with Twin Peaks?
Mel Brooks sponsoring David Lynch is one of those things that seems improbable at first but maybe isn’t. We do owe him extra thanks for it.
Elizabelle
Mel Brooks is such a good man. Wishing him continued health and mental acuity, and laughter.
Every morning I wake up grateful that Jimmy Carter has survived another day.
Carlo Graziani
@prostratedragon: Just last year, at 96, he published his autobiography! And the voice is so clearly his that there is no doubt that he actually wrote the thing. It’s hilarous, and revealing, and in parts even wise (he tried not to put in too much of that, though). I highly recommed it: Mel Brooks — All About Me! My Remarkable Life In Show Business.
Among the many tribute quotes on the rear dust jacket (Billy Crystal, Marc Maron, Norman Lear, Sarah Silverman, etc.) there’s one by an “M. Brooks” that reads “Not since the Bible have I read anything so powerful and poignant. And to boot—it’s a lot funnier!” How could one disagree with that?
oatler
@cliosfanboy:
Jiminy Glick interviews Mel Brooks: “So, what’s your beef with the Nazis?”
TriassicSands
Mel Brooks — keep going old timer.
I think Brooks created some absolutely timeless comedy. My only complaint about his work was that he often seemed to just keep going and going and going, when less would, to me, have been better than more. For example, “Blazing Saddles” had some exceptionally funny stuff in it. But the very end, which lots of people probably loved, seemed ridiculous to me. ??? I’m using the word ridiculous to criticize Brooks. That’s ridiculous. Tastes vary and arguing about films and books and music has always seemed to me a waste of time. The world would be a poorer place if Mel hadn’t made films.
Possibly the most remarkable thing to me about Brooks was his wife or the fact of their relationship. The idea that Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft would be married shows how you just never know. I still remember the first time i found out they were married and not quite being able to believe it. Good for them.
Ken
@TriassicSands: I think my favorite Brooks movie is To Be or Not To Be, co-starring Anne Bancroft. Young Frankenstein would be a very close second.
zhena gogolia
@Mike in NC: So sorry about Pierre.
laura
I’m jumping in to ignore all of his other accomplishments and just wish that he had MOAR YEARS with the woman he adored- Ann Bancroft. Oh, how I wish that marriage and partnership would have had All The Years.
TriassicSands
@Ken:
“To Be or Not to Be” is your favorite Brooks film? You’re nuts. How can that possibly be your favorite…
Just kidding. But that points out just how much tastes do vary, because I wouldn’t have even thought about that as a contender (in fact, I don’t know if I ever saw it). But now that you’ve mentioned it, I will look for it.
Brachiator
Littleton edited such obscure little films as ET, Body Heat, The Accidental Tourist, Silverado and The Big Chill.
mrmoshpotato
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Happy birthday, you hilarious man!
Splitting Image
@TriassicSands:
Was he collaborating with David Brooks? Brooks wrote a book about the decline of “integrity” while he was shagging his assistant and getting ready to divorce his wife of 30 years. Then he published the book as though nothing had happened.
TriassicSands
The “he” is a she — Francesca Gino of the Harvard Business School. Lots of others who have worked and published with her have ben drawn into the mess, but so far the accusations only appear to be directed at her.
Ken
@TriassicSands: It’s largely because, like the Jack Benny original, it’s a very serious drama masked as a comedy. No spoilers, but if you watch it I think you’ll see what I mean.
Splitting Image
@TriassicSands:
Oops. My mistake. Force of habit, you know.
TriassicSands
@Ken:
I just caught a short music/dance clip on youtube, so I know who the “star” (so to speak) of the show is. A quick search didn’t show it streaming currently.
Ken
@TriassicSands: Just run over to Blockbuster, I’m sure they’ll have it on VHS.
TriassicSands
@Splitting Image:
That’s OK, but the UnWoke police have been informed.
It is understandable because it is so ingrained. However, more and more, as women become increasingly visible, especially in important positions, I find the testimony of women to be more persuasive than that coming from men. In the fairly recent Senate hearing about SCOTUS ethics, the one woman testifying was, I thought, by far the most impressive.
TriassicSands
@Ken:
Thanks, I’m on my way!
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@Ken: I’ve never seen To Be or Not To Be. I should look it up. I saw The Twelve Chairs way back when little town had an artsy, pre-blockbuster video store, it doesn’t seem to be streaming. I honestly don’t remember it that well and I’d like to see it again.
The Producers is neck-and-neck with The Godfather as my most watched movie. Young Frankenstein is my second favorite Brooks oeuvre
StringOnAStick
Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and the Twelve Chairs are cinematic genius. I think the over the top ending to Blazing Saddles was Brooks going for broke; I read that he figured that so much of what was in that movie was going to guarantee he never worked again. Set against that bit of info, that ending makes sense and I’ve liked it more each time I’ve seen it.
Happy Birthday Mel, you are a giant!
Ceci n est pas mon nym
My wife met him and Anne Bancroft and heard some first-hand stories. She was in film school with this guy named Max Brooks, and one day Max brought his parents in to talk to the class…
One story was about Blazing Saddles. He screened it for the executives and bigwigs. They sat there deadpan. Looked like they were going to kill it. He pleaded for a chance to round up an audience of their secretaries and other lower level studio employees. They laughed their asses off and the film got the blessing of the studio.
lowtechcyclist
@TriassicSands:
I have long held that the category “Comedy” encompasses two fundamentally different kinds of movies.
There are movies that have a lot of gags and funny moments in them, but ultimately you care about the characters and the plot, and the resolution really matters. ‘Comedies’ like Tootsie or Groundhog Day are in this category. I think of them as ‘Dramedies.’
Then there’s what I think of as true comedies, where the plot and situation are strictly an excuse for the humor, and whether or not it all works out well for the characters is totally secondary. Most Marx Brothers movies are in that category, ditto Airplane!, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and of course Blazing Saddles.
This latter group usually has a problem of how to end the plot that it fundamentally doesn’t care about. Think about the endings of Duck Soup, MP&HG, and so forth, and you get the idea.
Same thing with Blazing Saddles, and here Mel Brooks handled it with absolute genius, obliterating the fourth wall, killing off Hedley Lamarr outside of Graumann’s Chinese Theater*, and having his characters catch the end of the movie they’re in with the rest of the plot already resolved.
*It might have been Mann’s Chinese Theater by then. The sidewalk in front wouldn’t become known as the Walk of Fame until much later.
Uncle Cosmo
@Ken: In the opening shot, as the camera drops down into a busy thoroughfare, it goes past a street sign in the foreground that very clearly reads Kubelsky Street.
Jack Benny’s birth name was Benjamin Kubelsky.
Man knew how to do tribute. Hats off, you old sonofagun, and 97 more – at least!
JustRuss
I’m laid up with a bum knee and a Mel Brooks boxed set. Could be worse!
karen marie
@Ken: On your recommendation, I watched To Be Or Not To Be last night. I loved it even though it was also very sad to be viscerally reminded of what happened IRL.
Interestingly, many of the same criticisms were made of Brooks’ version as were made in 1942 of Lubitsch’s original but the 1983 critics pretended they weren’t, or were ignorant of the reception in 1942.