THE COMIC ART OF MEL BROOKS

THE COMIC ART OF MEL BROOKS By Maurice Yacowar Mel Brooks is a mystery. On the one hand, he is notorious for his wacky public behaviour and for his zany films. On the other, some of his public pronouncements show him to be a very serious fellow. While his audiences clutch their sides in helpless laughter, Madman Mel warns us that serious things are going on amid those wild goings-on. This book is a new, updated edition of Maurice Yacowars classic book on Brooks, first published in 1981. There is a section on Mel Brooks background and origins, including his work on television, his early works, audio recordings, and how Brooks uses comedy. Each film directed by Brooks is analysed, with a brief plot summary to refresh the memory, a close reading of the films major themes and strategies, and a scattering of background information about the movies. For Mel Brooks, comedy can serve a serious purpose. I maintain there is nothing you cannot deal with in comic terms and make a point. I proved that by spoofing Hitler in The Producers. Brooks adds