Blazing Saddles (1974)

It's time to saddle up and schlep out west.  Although, with some of the modern choices in this noodle kugel-western you could probably strap on your seat belts.  This week we're rolling our 3CG wagon train out to the wild west with Mel Brooks' 1974 classic, "Blazing Saddles". This movie has a lot to say about racism, sexism, and fill-in-the-blank-ism, in a way that is sure to make you laugh, cringe, maybe even re-evaluate some of your own biases, and then cringe again. 

This raunchy comedy follows Bart (Cleavon Little), a black railroad worker who becomes the unlikely sheriff and hero of a racist western town. With the help of his partner Jim (Gene Wilder), Bart sets out to bring some justice, enlightenment and laughs to a town filled with bigoted buffoons. Brooks’ use of crude humor and outrageous antics both leave you in stitches and shine some much-needed light on the prejudices that unfortunately still exist today in a way that doesn’t feel like Mongo’s clobbering you over the head. 

Join our own gang of misfits as we explore the film's cultural significance and the behind-the-scenes drama that made “Blazing Saddles” a comedy classic. Will Terry refrain from inappropriate comments? Did Matt feel like he was watching something he shouldn't? What GenX hill is Garrett ready to die on? And how will our resident progressive, Hannah, just flat-out ruin the film for everyone involved? Come along for the ADD wagon ride to hear our Krewe’s unique perspectives on the film's themes of race, identity, and the power of humor in broaching sensitive subjects.  One thing’s for sure: this episode is a wild ride.

So, grab your cowboy hats and get ready for a rootin' tootin' (emphasis on tootin’) good time as we explore the hilarity and social commentary that only a Mel Brooks comedy can provide.

Oy! Don’t forget to follow us wherever you get your pods and join us, podnuh!

CW: Racist slurs, Homophobic slurs, Yellow face, Nazis, Anti-semitism, White supremacy, Sex work, Black face, Sexual innuendo

References:

Bergeson, S. (2022, December 07). Whoopi Goldberg Defends ‘Blazing Saddles’ Against Claims of Racism. Retrieved from Indie Wire: https://www.indiewire.com/2022/12/whoopi-goldberg-defends-blazing-saddles-against-claims-racism-1234789555/

Breihan, T. (2019, November 01). Blazing Saddles punched up—knocking out horses and a racist America in one swing. Retrieved from The AV Club: https://www.avclub.com/blazing-saddles-punched-up-knocking-out-horses-and-a-ra-1839370209

Cuadra, M., & Ellis, J. (n.d.). Blazing Saddles. Retrieved from Afterlives of Slavery: An encyclopedia documenting contemporary representations of transatlantic slavery: https://afterlivesofslavery.wordpress.com/film/blazing-saddles/

Dick, J. (2022, December 07). Whoopi Goldberg Defends Blazing Saddles, Rejects Accusations of Racism. Retrieved from Movie Web: https://movieweb.com/whoopi-goldberg-defends-blazing-saddles-rejects-accusations-of-racism/

Faulx, N. (2014, February 14). 'Blazing Saddles,' The Best Interracial Buddy Comedy, Turns 40. Retrieved from Code Switch: NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/02/07/272452677/blazing-saddles-the-best-interracial-buddy-comedy-turns-40

Gualtieri, J. (2020, June 10). Is 'Blazing Saddles' Racist? Why 'Blazing Saddles' Isn't 'Gone with the Wind'. Retrieved from distractify: https://www.distractify.com/p/is-blazing-saddles-racist

IMDb. (n.d.). Blazing Saddles (1974). Retrieved from IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071230/

Jones, R. (2017, September 21). Mel Brooks: Blazing Saddles would never be made today. Retrieved from BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41337151

JP. (2010, May 27). Blazing Saddles (1974). Retrieved from Bechdel Test Movie List: https://bechdeltest.com/view/845/blazing_