Mel Brooks Shuts Down Film Company; Focuses on Broadway

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 5/30/08 at 11:21pm

According to the "Page Six" section of the NY Post, Mel Brooks is closing the curtain on his film company, Brooksfilms which he started in 1980. After his popular musicals started making their way onto the big screen, Brooks started the company so his films would not be branded with the title "A Mel Brooks Film" and be automatically categorized into farces. The first film the company launched was "The Elephant Man" and later produced more hits such as "Space Balls."

Brooks has reportedly stated that the closing of his film company does not mean he is leaving the industry and to expect "a final bow (or two) on Broadway" before he retires. He turns 82 in June.
http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=28472

[shh282]

Posted: 5/30/08 at 11:26pm

I wonder if he's going to create original broadway shows or just adaptations of his own movies..

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/30/08 at 11:48pm

Blazzing Saddles anyone???

[thatgirl712]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 12:46am

Thanks for passing this along.

[goldenstate5]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 1:13am

So, no more Mel Brooks films? Ever again?! I mean, I knew it there may never be any again, but this unfortunately confirms it.

Oh well, at Blazing Saddles will be more suited to Brooks' composing style (though I'll be interested to see how they handle the metaphysical ending)...

[Mark820]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 2:08am

Honestly this is really sad. I was raised on Mel Brooks' Films like most people from my generation. I have seen both of his play and i know i'm in the minority when it comes to Young Frankestein (I liked it mainly because it was funny. music was eh) it's a shame to think that the last Mel Brooks' film is going to be Dracula Dead and Loving it. Hopefully his plays will be higher quality.

[sszabo]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 2:24am

Well this is sad to hear when I think how influential his films have been for me personally. Then again the stage production of The Producers has been more influential on me than any of his movies.
I also think seeing The French Mistake turned into a long musical sequence would hilarious.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 2:30am

I've never seen a Mel Brooks movie.

[Tag]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 2:34am

He should have done the opposite.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 2:43am

I'm not shocked Foster. I've taken film classes that sited Brooks as a major director, especially in terms of comedy. I adore him as a director (and producer) and think most people would agree his films are some of the most hysterical of all time, regardless what you think of him on Broadway (Though I have less of a problem with YF as a musical than most).

Not something I'd want people to know, not having seen a single one of his films. I don't even know how anyone of adult age could have gone without seeing Young Frankenstein or Blazing Saddles (which is on TV it seems every other minute) or even Spaceballs, which is also on often.
Updated On: 5/31/08 at 02:43 AM

[bk]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 3:29am

I would doubt that any studio would let Mr. Brooks direct anything at age eighty-two. His last films were not box-office successes and his film career has been over for many years. In fact, for me, I haven't really loved any of his films after Young Frankenstein. A couple of them have inspired moments, but as a whole they don't come anywhere near The Producers, Blazing Saddles, or Young Frankenstein. But, with those three under his belt, he could have stopped right there and been in the pantheon of comic filmmakers.

I also doubt there will be another Brooks Broadway show, and it certainly won't be Blazing Saddles.

[jagfkb]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 6:01am

Silent Movie! or History of the World Parts 1&2! They could throw Spaceballs in there for a future reference!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 7:12am

BobbyBubby, not all of us live our lives with the TV blaring in our faces.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 7:35am

I've seen one Brooks' movie. YF - and that was because of the great the cast. I've seen parts of his other films but saw nothing in those snippets that would make me want to sit through any of them - YF being the exception. I would watch that again. For me, more Brooks on Broadway...ehh, it's like more Brooks on film. Nothing I'd care to see.

[James885]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 10:52am

It's too bad this means we won't see any more comedies from his company. Some of films are just comedic brilliance. Young Frankenstein is probably my favorite among all his movies. It's too bad that the musical couldn't match that kind of brilliance on stage.

As for a new Brooks musical adaptation, I'd love to see Robin Hood: Men In Tights musicalized.

Updated On: 5/31/08 at 10:52 AM

[fengshuihellnyc]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 11:21am

Dear god hes going to torture us with more of his crappy musical adaptions...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

If I could get the 2.5 hours back from seeing YoungFrank I would cut off my pinky finger....
Ok not really but it sounded better than having seen that piece of Pooo!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 11:35am

How sad... Spaceballs is one of my favorite movies.

And I don't like his musicals, so it's a double-whammy.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 12:05pm

I'd say it is fair that most people on this board, at least based on the off-topic board, watch a normal amount of television. TV, as long as you choose your programs and films (I'm usually on TMC) carefully, can be and educational experience.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 12:09pm

TV...can be and educational experience.

Sounds like you need to watch a bit more, then.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 12:18pm

Well you seem to have a lot of time on your hands Foster. Stalking people on the board, waiting for a response. I think you are the one who needs to expand your mind. And your meds.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 12:19pm

You know, I think he is on a mission to prove he isn't as bad as Young Frankenstein. I think we're probably going to see a Blazing Saddles musical, and it will probably be a lot better than Young Frankenstein. It probably won't be anywhere near as good as The Producers, but it will be a good musical. Mel Brooks has made mistakes in his life. Young Frankenstein was one of them. He got a big head, and made a baaaaaad musical. His next one should be better.

It sucks to go out that way, so I understand what he's doing. From reading The Producers coffee table book, it sounds like he really wants to earn the respect of the Broadway community. Unfortunately, he lost that respect with YF. I hope, for his sake and ours, that his next venture is a more humble one.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 12:24pm

Oh, that one hurt, Bobs. Keep the personal attacks coming.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 12:28pm

"I learned it by watching YOU!"

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 1:37pm

he definitely should not JUST focus on broadway...

[cantstandbrody]

Posted: 5/31/08 at 2:32pm

The way he was treated i hope he packs his stuff up !! The man gives many years of laughing and he has an ego flair and everyone is out to jump on him ..