| Release Date: June 16, 1976 (United States) Genre: Comedy IMDb Rating: 6.7 Director: Mel Brooks Cast: Mel Brooks, Marty Feldman, Dom DeLuise, Sid Caesar, Harold Gould, Ron Carey, Bernadette Peters, Carol Arthur, Liam Dunn, Fritz Feld |
How many directors experienced a career quite like Mel Brooks? This is a man who reached middle-aged before he even directed a film. But over the course of around 25 years, Brooks created some of the most influential comedies of all time. He has quite the handle on taking a genre or type of film and running the gambit on it. His ability to lampoon something while also creating it with a certain level of appreciation is legendary.
They are fantastic satires of the films they are taking jabs at but there is so much respect embedded in them. They are great films themselves in their own right.
Look at films like Blazing Saddles (a western) and Young Frankenstein (a classic horror).
Blazing Saddle is a legendary western standing on its own. But one of his lesser-known gems is Silent Movie. Need I explain more? It is obviously a silent film. But it is not just that. Brooks crafts a silent film about a director trying to make a silent film during a time when they were long dead…just like the actual film which was released in 1976. Look at the success of a film like The Artist? Oscar wins and accolades have etched its legacy.
Does Brooks’ little experiment stand the test of time 45 years later?
First off, there are some things to get out of the way. Some of the jokes do NOT stand the test of time. There are running gags that are homophobic and definitely would not fly today. Brooks was known to be edgy with films like Blazing Saddles but this gag just comes off as cheap and degrading. BUT if you can get past that particular gag that rears its unfortunate head a few times, there is plenty of fun to be had here. Many of Brooks’ films early on had a lot of depth to their messaging. Silent Movie is where Brooks took his career in a new direction focusing more on fun and homages to other films. This film jumps headlong into the classic humor of slapstick. So here is the thing…if you are not a fan of visual gags and silly slapstick, this one is not going to be for you. But if you are ready to have some fun with a silly ride, Silent Movie is a fresh experience. You do not see a whole lot of comedies today focused on that (unless they are really lowbrow). This film shows that you can elevate the material with the right talent behind it. Brooks is that right talent.
We have made it very clear that this film is filled with slapstick comedy but what makes it so funny?
I guess that aspect is subjective. But what I can tell you, Brooks pulls out all the stops. You have over-the-top gags like a pregnant woman weighs down the whole back end of a car or Dom DeLuise almost flipping an unbalanced trailer over. These are classic gags that center on fun props and physicality. All of the actors are completely sold on the environments they are in which helps the audience get buy-in. We get dance numbers, slip-sliding suits of armors and wheelchair races…how many films can say that? There are plenty of physical interactions that get laughs like slapping down the lane. You might read all of this and think, is this supposed to be funny? But the magic is on the screen, not on the page. That is all the more reason to experience the film itself!
Besides the classic slapstick of early silent film comedies, what other magic can Brooks squeeze into this film?
One special aspect of this film is a selling point in the narrative itself. The star! How many famous people could they get to be in this film? Silent Movie boasts a who’s who of top stars of the ’70s. Burt Reynolds rocking his movie-star looks and impressive mustache. James Caan shows off his intimidating physique. Liza Minelli shows off her charm. Ann Bancroft (Brooks’ wife) just pours out great charisma. Paul Newman gets to show off his love of racing. Even famed mime Marcel Marceau gets to have one of the best gags of the whole film. If the star power wasn’t enough, we get treated to some of the great comedians of the time as well with Sid Caesar, Ron Carey, Harold Gould, among others. Then there is our starring trio. Marty Feldman is a genius with his facial expressions and awkward physicality. DeLuise just embodies this over-the-top physicality that shines in this film. And of course…Brooks himself. Brooks will go all-in on all of his jokes which makes them so believable and impactful.
With an impressive cast and a wonderfully magical gimmick for the film, does the story come to play?
The meta aspects of the narrative work so well to build the comedy of the film. A director like Brooks playing a drunken version of himself who makes a silent film at a big studio to save his career. I doubt the parallel of an endangered career fits Brooks’s real life but much of the rest including this crazed investment work accurately. The plot becomes pretty straightforward and episodic during the recruitment process. But with an evil corporation named Engulf & Devour on his tail (which is played for so many gags including their worship of the almighty dollar), Brooks and gag must work quickly. This big company buying film companies idea is still incredibly relevant (you don’t have to look farther than the many purchases my brother makes. Throw in a femme fatale (portrayed delightfully by Bernadette Peters) who must derail Brooks plans, and you have a zany and fun plot that works enough to move the film along.
Based on this article, could this be the hardest sell I have needed to make so far with The Wasteland Vintage Roadshow?
Is this a film out of time? Is it filled with stars from decades ago? Does it rely on a style of humor that is pretty out of style? All of those answers would be yes…but here is something more important.
When I sit down to watch Silent Movie (which I have done four or so times over the years), I know I am in for a treat.
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Sitting and watching the film, there is a smile that inhabits my face from start to finish. I get to see some of the biggest stars in the history of Hollywood have fun. I get to see the best and brightest in the comedy of the time flex every comedy bone in their body. Silent Movie is a special film and I hope you give this little gem the time of day.
