It’s a little hard sometimes to define what it is that I love so much about Mel Brooks movies (Spaceballs being a notable exception and one that I am no longer willing to argue about with you people). At least part of it has to be because of his murderer’s row of comediennes he featured in his films: Teri Garr, Tracy Ullman, Cloris Leachmann, Bernadette Peters, Bea Arthur, and of course The Kahn. Which is not, by the way, to say that his movies were equitably cast! They decidedly weren’t. But when he cast a woman, he cast the best. And Madeline Kahn was the crown jewel.
This is a thirty-second clip from History of the World where her only dialogue (as “Empress Nympho” are the words “yes” and “no,” and it’s an undeniable, operatic tour de force. (Also, there are butts in it, so maybe don’t watch it at work.)
How can one woman make something so simple so magnetic? You know she was in opera singer before she became an actress, and I’m beginning to think that should be a requirement for anyone who wants to break into comedy. Her face! Those tiny, subtle, suggestive changes in expression that add pages of subtext to every “yes” and “no”!
The movie itself is cheesy and dated as hell, which describes the majority of Brooks’ oeuvre. They (of course) can’t resist the obvious joke that Gregory Hines’ character has a “great corkscrew.” But there’s a joyfulness, both to Madeline’s performance and the movie as a whole, that brings me back to it even though there’s plenty in the script that should be consigned to the dust-heap of history. No one plays disgust like Madeline, and no one plays excitement like her either. She has no in-between.
Spaceballs is the worst.
I am having a difficult time resisting the rabbit hole of all the recommended videos that followed this clip.
As did I. Young Frankenstein is what made me cave.
The outtakes reel? Yes. #NOREGRETS
This is the apex of my Monday. It cannot get better than this video. Peak Kahn is achieved.
Kaaaaaaaaaaaaahn!!!! Had to do it.
I loved Spaceballs as a kid, pretty indifferent as an adult. I’m just thrilled beyond compare that nothing creepygross has come out about Mel Brooks *coughWoodyAllen* so I can continue to love Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein and the rest of his stuff (the sexist moments bugs me sometimes, but I can forgive him, because no one is perfect). His Oscar acceptance speech for writing never fails to delight me: “I’ll just say what’s in my heart: ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump. Thank you!”
Young Frankenstein, aaaahhhhh, so good.
And yes, I am glad that there seem to be no skeletons in Mel Brooks’s closet. I think that would break my dad’s heart, Young Frankenstein is one of his favorite movies and he LOVED showing it to me and my brother for the first time.
I was raised on Mel Brooks movies. Madeline Kahn as Countess Von Shtup is my earliest memory of female sexuality and I’m not saying I get a weird German accent in bed sometimes but I’m not not saying it, is what I’m saying.
I MEAN
I mentioned this post to my husband this morning as we were getting ready and he says, “Oh, I can recite that scene by heart.” And then he DOES. Pretty sure the reason I actually married him is our mutual adoration of Madeline Kahn, who was a queen and criminally underutilized and should have lived FOREVER.
You’d be surprised how often this scene gets quoted in our home.
Sexiest part of the movie. She’s a goddess.
spaceballs is terrible but madeline kahn is great and as far as mel brooks movies go…the twelve chairs is my favorite, despite the lack of comediennes.
Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner get together once a week to eat deli takeout and watch old movies! I want them to be my grandpas.
It’s true though, isn’t it? Somehow she’s “The Khan” and not “La Kahn.”
And I love that Mel Brooks would never in a million years say that women can’t be funny. And who’s going to dispute his authority on the matter? Only a fool would.
Madeline Kahn Mondays make my life. Also, I watched Young Frankenstein this weekend as part of my Halloween celebration, which I believe makes it a holiday well-celebrated.
Beautifully, the first related video that comes up is Bea Arthur as the Roman unemployment insurance agent.
“oh! a BULLSHIT artist! did you BULLSHIT last week?”
I discovered recently that Carl Reiner is on Twitter! (Writing hilarious grandpa things).
I want to watch it right now! But… no butts at work. I must wait.
And now I hear my mother’s voice saying, “No buts!” Butts are a good reason for buts, Mental Mom.
He gave the criminally under rated Terri Garr screen time, so he will always get love from me.
spaceballs holds a special place in my heart. But i do admit it’s pretty bad as far as Mel Brooks’ stuff goes.
Tis the season… I would be overjoyed to see a Toast mention of M. Kahn in my favorite Christmas movie, Mixed Nuts starring, among others, Steve Martin.