Silent Movie (1976)

Cast: Mel Brooks (Mel Funn), Dom DeLuise (Dom Bell), Marty Feldman (Marty Eggs), Sid Caesar (Studio Chief)

Director: Mel Brooks

Genre: Comedy/ Slapstick


I don’t think there is any genre of movie that Mel Brooks has not slapped around and put in its place. He made fun of Westerns with Blazing Saddles, took shots at classic horror with Young Frankenstein, he went from light speed to “ludicrous speed” in the film Spaceballs taking on the haughtiness of the “ultimate” sci-fi film. He even took on what I call “60’s Bible flicks” with his History of the World, Part 1” and kicked those in the pants. He left no stone unturned, no matter how old a stone, with Silent Movie.
To think that people can be staunchly against bringing back old school filming methods, thinking them to be outdated and no good, are definitely brought to their knees by this film. The title states exactly what the film is- a silent movie. This was the first silent movie to be filmed since movies went to sound 40 years ago. The story line is simple but the acting and improvisation speaks wonders. Mel Funn, Dom Bell, and Marty Eggs have a movie script that's destined to be a huge success. The film is to be a silent movie and the key to its success is not only its silence, but its huge cast of big-name movie stars. The big-wig movie producer, played by Sid Caeser, doesn't like the idea at first but when he hears its cast of big name hotshots, he agrees the film will be a big success and bring in enough money to save his studio from falling into the hands of the studio creditors, Engulf and Devour. So Funn, Bell, and Eggs set off to search for the stars. Marty Feldman is the funniest of the three. His goofy looks, which he is famous for, adds so much humor to the film. Who needs sound when you have so much more that can only work when dialogue doesn't get in the way. The best scene was of course Funn's fall off the sober band wagon to briefly become the ''Lord of the winos". The cast of celebrities is very entertaining. This is a great movie to watch with others. In typical Brooks fashion, the film does contain a few scenes with lewd humor and content. Otherwise, what makes it great is that you can talk during the movie and not worry about missing an important line. The film only has one word of dialogue spoken by a very unlikely source.