Review of Blazing Saddles (1974) by Tom D — 19 Aug 2011

This is one of the greatest comedies ever put on fim! It's certainly the jewel in Mel Brooks' crown. It's not comedy á la Chaplin, but intellectual comedy. It helps to KNOW things to understand some of the jokes, remember the real Marlene Dietrich from "Destry Rides Again," as well as knowledge of French.

Mel Brooks' character of Governor William J. LePÃ (C)tomane is a play on words. "Le PÃ (C)tomane" translates to "The Farter," as it was originally a nickname hung on a Frenchman, Joseph Pujol (pronouned poo-hole), with an anus that could emit musical gas at will.

So yes, the film is full of potty humor, but is one of the funniest you'll ever see, even of you don't understand some of it. "Blazing Saddles" satirizes virtually every western in the genre!