Blazing Saddles (1974)

Director:

Mel Brooks

Writers:

Mel Brooks (screenplay) &
Norman Steinberg (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

7 February 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Western

Tagline:

Never give a saga an even break!

Plot:

To ruin a western town, a corrupt political boss appoints a black sheriff, who promptly becomes his most formidable adversary.

Plot Keywords:

Nazis | Movie Reality Crossover | n Word | Black Cowboy | Nietzsche

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Cleavon Little	...	Bart
Gene Wilder	...	Jim
Slim Pickens	...	Taggart
Harvey Korman	...	Hedley Lamarr
Madeline Kahn	...	Lili Von Shtupp
Mel Brooks	...	Governor William J. Lepetomane / Indian Chief
Burton Gilliam	...	Lyle
Alex Karras	...	Mongo
David Huddleston	...	Olson Johnson
Liam Dunn	...	Rev. Johnson
John Hillerman	...	Howard Johnson
George Furth	...	Van Johnson
Jack Starrett	...	Gabby Johnson (as Claude Ennis Starrett Jr.)
Carol Arthur	...	Harriett Johnson
Richard Collier	...	Dr. Sam Johnson
Charles McGregor	...	Charlie
Robyn Hilton	...	Miss Stein
Don Megowan	...	Gum Chewer
Dom DeLuise	...	Buddy Bizarre
Count Basie	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Alderson	...	Gum Chewer (uncredited)
Don Ames	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Tom Anfinsen	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
David Armstrong	...	Pressman (uncredited)
Anne Bancroft	...	Extra in Church Congregation (uncredited)
Alex Brown	...	RR Worker (uncredited)
Eldon Burke	...	Desperado (uncredited)
David Cadiente	...	Mexican (uncredited)
Patrick Campbell	...	MC at Lili Von Shtupp's show (uncredited)
Bill Catching	...	Outlaw #1 (uncredited)
Ray Chabeau	...	German Soldier Dancer (uncredited)
Donald Chaffin	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Aneta Corsaut	...	Tourist Mother (uncredited)
Dick Crockett	...	Townsman #2 (uncredited)
George Dockstader	...	Politician (uncredited)
Ross Dollarhyde	...	Desperado (uncredited)
Stewart East	...	Pressman (uncredited)
Kenny Endoso	...	Mexican (uncredited)
Elly Enriquez	...	Mexican (uncredited)
Richard Farnsworth	...	Sheriff (uncredited)
Ben Frommer	...	Convict (uncredited)
John Furlong	...	Tourist Man (uncredited)
Rick Garcia	...	Mexican Bandit (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward	...	Outlaw #4 (uncredited)
Rosemary Johnston	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
Madge Journeay	...	Townswoman (uncredited)
M.J. Kane	...	Leopold (uncredited)
Sally Kirkland	...	Cashier (uncredited)
Patrick Labyorteaux	...	Henry (uncredited)
Tex Lambert	...	KKK Member (uncredited)
Jack Lilley	...	Overseer (uncredited)
Craig Littler	...	Tex (uncredited)
Jay Loft-Lyn	...	RR Worker (uncredited)
Karl Lukas	...	Cutthroat #1 (uncredited)
Ralph Manza	...	Extra in commissary playing Hitler (uncredited)
Jimmy Martinez	...	Scared Mexican Man (uncredited)
Bert May	...	German Soldier Dancer (uncredited)
Fred McDougall	...	Desperado (uncredited)
Rod McGaughy	...	Desperado (uncredited)
Bill McIntosh	...	Desperado (uncredited)
Clyde McLeod	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Troy Melton	...	Member of the Press (uncredited)
Ira Miller	...	Baker Man (uncredited)
Jessamine Milner	...	Elderly Woman (uncredited)
Richard Monahan	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan	...	Outlaw #3 (uncredited)
Hal Needham	...	Outlaw (uncredited)
Daniel Núñez	...	Mexican (uncredited)
Harvey Parry	...	(uncredited)
Jack Perkins	...	Tomato Man (uncredited)
Alan Peterson	...	German Soldier Dancer (uncredited)
Booty Reed	...	RR Worker (uncredited)
Tony Regan	...	Pressman (uncredited)
Danny 'Big Black' Rey	...	Bart's Father (uncredited)
Robert Ridgely	...	Boris the Hangman (uncredited)
Rodney Allen Rippy	...	Bart (age 5) (uncredited)
Hank Robinson	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Darrell Sandeen	...	KKK Man (uncredited)
Fred Scheiwiller	...	Outlaw #2 (uncredited)
Marrietta Schmidt	...	Woman in Ladies Room (uncredited)
David Sharpe	...	Man in Suit (uncredited)
Eddie Smith	...	RR Worker (uncredited)
Tom Steele	...	Townsman who falls from chair (uncredited)
Tim Sullivan	...	Dancer (uncredited)
George Tracy	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Jerry Trent	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Frankie Van	...	Fighter (uncredited)
Richard Vitagliano	...	Anal Johnson (uncredited)
Al Ward	...	Man at Pond (uncredited)
Janice Whitby	...	Tour Guide (uncredited)
Joe Yrigoyen	...	Townsman #3 (uncredited)
Bill Zuckert	...	Official (uncredited)

Directed by
Mel Brooks

Writing credits
Mel Brooks		(screenplay) &
Norman Steinberg		(screenplay) &
Andrew Bergman		(screenplay) &
Richard Pryor		(screenplay) &
Alan Uger		(screenplay)
Andrew Bergman		(story)

Produced by
Michael Hertzberg	....	producer

Original Music by
John Morris

Cinematography by
Joseph F. Biroc		(director of photography) (as Joseph Biroc)

Film Editing by
Danford B. Greene		(as Danford Greene)
John C. Howard

Casting by
Nessa Hyams

Production Design by
Peter Wooley

Set Decoration by
Morris Hoffman		(as Morey Hoffman)

Makeup Department
Alan Fama	....	makeup artist (as Al Fama)
Lola 'Skip' McNalley	....	hair stylist (as Lola 'Skip' McNally)
Terry Miles	....	makeup artist

Production Management
William P. Owens	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John C. Chulay	....	first assistant director
Leonard S. Smith Jr.	....	second assistant director (as Leonard Smith Jr.)

Art Department
Sam Gordon	....	property master

Sound Department
Gene S. Cantamessa	....	sound
Les Fresholtz	....	sound re-recordist
Arthur Piantadosi	....	sound re-recordist
Richard Tyler	....	sound re-recordist
Raul A. Bruce	....	boom operator (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Douglas Pettibone	....	special effects

Stunts
Denny Arnold	....	stunts (uncredited)
May Boss	....	stunts (uncredited)
Alex Brown	....	stunts (uncredited)
Eldon Burke	....	stunts (uncredited)
Steven Burnett	....	stunts (uncredited)
William H. Burton	....	stunts (uncredited)
David Cadiente	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Catching	....	stunts (uncredited)
Dottie Catching	....	stunts (uncredited)
Barbara Chrysler	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Couch	....	stunts (uncredited)
Dick Crockett	....	stunts (uncredited)
Paula Dell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bennie E. Dobbins	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Dockstader	....	stunts (uncredited)
Ross Dollarhyde	....	stunts (uncredited)
Kenny Endoso	....	stunts (uncredited)
Andy Epper	....	stunts (uncredited)
Gary Epper	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jeannie Epper	....	stunts (uncredited)
Stephanie Epper	....	stunts (uncredited)
Tony Epper	....	stunts (uncredited)
Chad Evans	....	stunts (uncredited)
Richard Farnsworth	....	stunts (uncredited)
Lila Finn	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Fisher	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jerry Gatlin	....	stunts (uncredited)
Mickey Gilbert	....	stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bob Herron	....	stunts (uncredited)
Buddy Joe Hooker	....	stunts (uncredited)
Loren Janes	....	stunts (uncredited)
Julie Ann Johnson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Rosemary Johnston	....	stunts (uncredited)
Harold Jones	....	stunts (uncredited)
William T. Lane	....	stunts (uncredited)
Walt La Rue	....	stunts (uncredited)
Terry Leonard	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jack Lilley	....	stunts (uncredited)
Fred McDougall	....	stunts (uncredited)
Rod McGaughy	....	stunts (uncredited)
S.J. McGee	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill McIntosh	....	stunts (uncredited)
Troy Melton	....	stunts (uncredited)
John T. Mitchell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan	....	stunts (uncredited)
Minor Mustain	....	stunts (uncredited)
Hal Needham	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Orrison	....	stunts (uncredited)
Harvey Parry	....	stunts (uncredited)
Regina Parton	....	stunts (uncredited)
Regis Parton	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jack Perkins	....	stunts (uncredited)
Glenn Randall Jr.	....	stunts (uncredited)
Ronnie Rondell Jr.	....	stunts (uncredited)
Wally Rose	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Sawaya	....	stunts (uncredited)
Fred Scheiwiller	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Shannon	....	stunts (uncredited)
David Sharpe	....	stunts: man dragged by horse (uncredited)
Eddie Smith	....	stunts (uncredited)
Paul Stader	....	stunts (uncredited)
Tom Steele	....	stunts (uncredited)
Fred Stromsoe	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jerry Summers	....	stunts (uncredited)
April Tatro	....	stunts (uncredited)
Marvin Walters	....	stunts (uncredited)
Dick Warlock	....	stunts (uncredited)
George P. Wilbur	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jerry Wills	....	stunts (uncredited)
Al Wyatt Sr.	....	stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Al Wyatt Sr.	....	stunts (uncredited)
Walter Wyatt	....	stunts (uncredited)
Joe Yrigoyen	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Orville Hallberg	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Thomas S. Dawson	....	wardrobe (as Tom Dawson)
Vittorio Nino Novarese	....	special costume designer (as Nino Novarese)

Editorial Department
Carroll Timothy O'Meara	....	assistant editor (as C. Timothy O'Meara)
Steve Potter	....	assistant editor (as Stephen Potter)

Music Department
Eugene Marks	....	music editor (as Gene Marks)
John Morris	....	conductor
John Morris	....	orchestrator
Jonathan Tunick	....	orchestrator
Bob Bain	....	musician: guitar (uncredited)
Tommy Morgan	....	musician: harmonica (uncredited)
Dan Wallin	....	score mixer (uncredited)

Other crew
Anthony Goldschmidt	....	title designer
Alan Johnson	....	choreographer
Julie Pitkanen	....	script supervisor
Herbert Winters	....	dialogue coach

Production Companies

• Crossbow Productions
• Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributors

• Warner Bros. Pictures (1974) (USA) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (1999) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (1999) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-release)
• CBS Television (1981) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Warner Bros. (1999) (Argentina) (all media) (re-release)
• Warner Home Video (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (1997) (USA) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Black Bart (USA) (working title)
Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles or Never Give a Saga an Even Break (USA) (poster title)
Tex X (USA) (original script title)
The Purple Sage (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Yiddish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Finland:K-11 (cinema release) (1975) | UK:12A (re-rating: 2008) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2004) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Norway:16 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Crossbow Productions

Trivia:

When 'Mel Brooks (I)' advertised in the show business trade papers for a "Frankie Laine-type" voice to sing the film's title song, he was hoping for a good imitator. Instead, Frankie Laine himself showed at Brooks' office two days later, ready to do the job but nobody told him the movie was a parody.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: While the cowboys try to get the railroad workers to sing, the cowboys sing and the banjo player plays the banjo but no sound is heard at all.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Lyle: Come on, boys! The way you're lollygaggin' around here with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was a hundert an' twenty degree. Can't be more than a hundert an' fourteen.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Banlieue 13 (2004)

Soundtrack:

Camptown Races

The Film That Made Brooks A Star

Mel Brooks made several very popular and memorable films in the '70s but I doubt any was more popular than this one. Made just several years after the morals' code had been lifted in Hollywood, it was able to provide humor in a new and shocking way. People could fart, swear, have old ladies use the n- word, men could punch horses in the face, make fun of any religion, creed, race or whatever was there to make fun of ...in other words, no holds barred when it came to trying to get a laugh. Nothing was sacred at this time in Hollywood history and few capitalized on this as well as Brooks, especially with this film.

The film doesn't have much shock value anymore but it's still fun to watch and probably always will be, thanks to the outrageous characterizations in here.

On the negative side, especially if don't know Brooks does whatever he can to get a laugh and isn't all that political, this film might be too politically-correct with its reverse racism, bias against religion and overly crude situations.

But - a big but - there are so many funny lines in here, so many funny scenes you never forget and never fail to laugh no matter how many times you see it (the campfire scene alone has made men cry in laughter for 30 years) that you can overlook about anything in here.

In summary, a true "classic" guaranteed to entertain for many more years to come.