Years ago, my parents took a trip to Munich. When they arrived at their hotel, the manager proudly informed them that his hotel was Hitler’s favorite in the city, and that the Führer always stayed there when he visited Munich. My parents, two Jews from Los Angeles, weren’t thrilled to learn about the history of their hotel. Mom, who was “creeped out” by the Nazi vibe, wanted to stay somewhere else. But Dad, who loved musicals and had a twisted sense of humor, ran with the material he had been given. “Every morning, your father would march down the hallways singing, Springtime for Hitler at the top of his lungs,” Mom recalled. “You should’ve seen the dirty looks we got. It was so embarrassing.” But Dad wasn’t embarrassed. The way he saw it, anyone who brags about their Nazi connections deserves to be the butt of a joke.
Of course, Dad didn’t write that joke, Mel Brooks did. Springtime for Hitler is the title of a song and a play Mel Brooks created for his first movie, The Producers. The film is a satire about crooked broadway producers who scam their investors by staging a play that’s “guaranteed” to flop on opening night. The Producers is one of my favorite Mel Brooks movies, and Mel Brooks is one of my favorite comedic influences, so naturally, I just had to read his memoir, All About Me!
As far as memoirs go, All About Me! doesn’t go deep or linger on difficult moments. But it’s a fun read for anyone who’s either a comedy nerd (check!), or a Mel Brooks fan (double-check!). And because Brooks is a funny and generous storyteller, the book is loaded with gems. Here are three.
For Blazing Saddles, Brooks initially wanted an iconic Western movie star to play The Waco Kid, so he asked John Wayne to read the script. According to Brooks, The Duke loved the script, calling it “crazy” and “damn funny.” But Wayne, whose most iconic role was in in John Ford’s The Searchers, where he played a racist ex-Confederate bent on murdering the Comanches who kidnapped his niece (and maybe murdering his niece too!), passed because he thought his fans would hate to see him in a movie with sex and cursing. The part ultimately went to Gene Wilder.
For High Anxiety, a parody of Alfred Hitchcock films, Brooks reached out to the famous director for his blessing. Hitchcock told him to go for it, then offered to meet with Brooks every week during development. Hitchcock read multiple drafts of the script, gave Brooks notes, and even pitched a comedic set piece. Unfortunately, Brooks wrote, Hitchcock’s idea, while very funny, just didn’t work with the story.
Initially, Brooks had trouble getting a studio to make The Producers due to concerns that audiences might be turned off by a comedy featuring Adolf Hitler. Universal actually offered to make the movie, if Brooks would agree to change it to Mussolini. The studio believed that the Italian fascist leader was a funnier, less offensive dictator. But Brooks passed, reasoning that Nazis were a better comedic foil. Besides, Brooks wrote, Springtime for Mussolini just didn’t sound right.
Discussion questions 👇
What’s your favorite Mel Brooks movie?
Can you think of other movies that poke fun at authoritarians?
Hypothetical: Upon arriving at your hotel, the manager informs you that a notorious war criminal loved to stay there when he was in town. Do you: A) Find another hotel? B) Stay at the hotel to poke fun at the war criminal and his fan boys? C) Post about your situation on social media and wait for the crowd to tell you what to do?
I’m a huge Mel Brooks fan, too. The original Producers is one of my favorite movies of all-time, but Spaceballs is the sentimental favorite. My grandma - bless her - took me to see it in theaters multiple times. I listened to the soundtrack on vinyl the other day. Still slaps!
1. I love Spaceballs and Blazing Saddles. I've watched both more times than I can count. There are so many quotable lines in them. It's also fun to see actors in ridiculous roles who would go on to act in more serious/mainstream roles.
2. IDK, but I'd love to watch some I haven't seen before
1. Brooks movies are the best. While not his best movie, opening scene of History of the World was absurd with great 2001 & Spielberg homage. His best movie IMO Young Frankenstein
I’m a huge Mel Brooks fan, too. The original Producers is one of my favorite movies of all-time, but Spaceballs is the sentimental favorite. My grandma - bless her - took me to see it in theaters multiple times. I listened to the soundtrack on vinyl the other day. Still slaps!
1. I love Spaceballs and Blazing Saddles. I've watched both more times than I can count. There are so many quotable lines in them. It's also fun to see actors in ridiculous roles who would go on to act in more serious/mainstream roles.
2. IDK, but I'd love to watch some I haven't seen before
3. B, for sure
Look forward to reading more. This was fun
1. Brooks movies are the best. While not his best movie, opening scene of History of the World was absurd with great 2001 & Spielberg homage. His best movie IMO Young Frankenstein
2. A Clockwork Orange 3. A & C