Blazing Saddles (1974)

Set in the 1874 Old West, the state's corrupt Attorney General (Harvey Korman) realizes that he can make millions from land where the railroad will pass through but first he must get rid of the town that stands on the land. To that end, he appoints a black sheriff (Cleavon Little) in the hopes the racist citizens will abandon the town. Directed by Mel Brooks (YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN) who co-wrote the screenplay with four other writers including Richard Pryor. It could be said that Brooks has made an art out of bad taste (though he's no John Waters) but this politically incorrect western parody remains outrageous (could he get away with it today?). Brooks' rat-a-tat-tat brand of comedy has the jokes and quips coming left and right so that some of the jokes are bound to hit their target and if one fizzles, there's always the next one. Little lacks a comic actor's spark (it's a pity Richard Pryor didn't take on the part) but there's Gene Wilder showing he doesn't need to be hysterical to be funny and Madeline Kahn's Oscar nominated Dietrich impersonation is hilarious. I have to confess I laughed more than I did not. With Slim Pickens, Dom DeLuise, Alex Karras, John Hillerman and Count Basie.