Calling On The Duke
You want to pay homage to the original when creating a parody. Mel reasoned that the renowned Western actor John Wayne should be a part of his film because of this. John reportedly told Mel he had heard about his project when the two happened to cross paths on the Warner Brothers set. Mel wrote a short bit for Wayne, but John eventually declined, saying “Naw, I can’t do a movie like that, but I’ll be first in line to see it!”
Calling On The Duke
Quid Pro Quo
Mel and the renowned Gene Wilder initially worked together on a small film called The Producers. Gene Wilder was a fantastic comedian. Wilder brokered a deal when Mel wanted to cast Gene in Blazing Saddles. Gene stated that he would appear in Mel’s movie if Brooks would take a look at a script he had begun to write and turn that into a movie as well. Mel nodded. that text? It was for the Young Frankenstein movie, an Oscar nominee.
Quid Pro Quo
