Thank You, President Obama!
For your grace, dignity, and service to this country. What a blessing to have been a part of your remarkable Presidency.
God bless you and your beautiful family.
Forever 44!
I’ll never forget the day my boyfriend (now husband) came to me super excited about, in his words, “the funniest movie he’s seen” and there’s another showing in half an hour!. Okay I say, skeptical, but I’m game. He couldn’t stop talking about his favorite “moment” – the “campfire and beans scene.” As the end credits rolled I agreed, this was the funniest movie I’d ever seen and my favorite “moment” was — holy crap — I can’t name just one. Lili von Shtupp “I’m Tired”, “The sheriff is near” or “Mongo only pawn in game of life.” Awwh, it’s too hard to pick just one! Blazing Saddles is probably one of the most quotable movies of all time.
The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards, and is ranked No. 6 on the American Film Institute‘s 100 Years…100 Laughs list.
“Mongo only pawn in game of life”
But, I wonder, how would Blazing Saddles be received by audiences today?
This film was released in 1974 but reflecting today on the welcoming scene for Sheriff Bart, it could just as well have been President Obama’s Inaugural Reception. In the western town of Rockridge the women clutched their purses and the men drew their guns. A Black Sheriff, no way! For some, The President’s election and re-election evoked some of those same feelings. A Black man in the White House, no way! Yes, it’s 2014 but yes for some, the stereotypes still exist. There are those who wish the country could go back to the “good ole days” when if you were white it’s alright, but, if you’re black get back. It’s irrational and built on fear, but racism has always been apart of the fabric of this country.
Directed by: Mel Brooks
Written by: Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Andrew Bergman, Norman Steinberg and Al Unger
Songs: Mel Brooks
Starring | Cleavon Little Gene Wilder Harvey Korman Slim Pickens Madeline Kahn Mel Brooks |
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It’s a brilliant film! The writing, the acting, the concept. And what a concept. A Black sheriff in an all white 1874 small western town. What could possibly go wrong?
The film is an in your face satire about racism in the old west as opposed to the Hollywood cowboy myth. Liberal uses of the N word and plenty of references to black men being sexually”gifted.” Lili: “Is it true what they say about you people?” Also, you know black men all want white women.
Lili von Shtupp goes there:
“Where the white women at?”
I’m not really sure how Blazing Saddles would touch people today, but in 1974 I got the feeling that black and white laughed at the jokes and understood their own truth within the satire. Have the voices of hate overshadowed our ability to laugh and rebuke racism or are the hate filled voices of today outliers? Is the majority of the country trying to go backwards or are we embracing progress and the commitment it takes?
[Bart reaches for his gun]
Jim: Oh no, don’t do that, don’t do that. If you shoot him, you’ll just make him mad.
Vibe alone for a while
Psychology to Motivate | Inspire | Uplift
Organic Gardening tips
Understanding ourselves and the world we live in.
Dedicated to movie lovers everywhere!
Philosophy is all about being curious, asking basic questions. And it can be fun!
KINDNESS IS FREE, sprinkle it all over the world and 😁 smile
Prime my subconscious, one hint at a time
Horror, Science Fiction, Comic Books and More
Save the Arts in America!