Product Review

Welcome to the History of Mel Brooks, Part I


Few legends loom as large over the landscape of American comedy as Mel Brooks. For 65 years, in every medium through which entertainment can possibly pass, he has made people laugh all over the world. A celebrated director, actor, producer, composer and writer, Brooks is one of only 11 people in history to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. With this unique, first of its kind collection, fans of this ferociously gifted entertainer will fall joyfully down a rabbit hole into a wonderland of television appearances, short films, documentaries, tributes, songs and genuine rarities.


Featuring:



Mel Brooks And Dick Cavett Together Again: The 2011 Emmy-nominated HBO TV Special


I Thought I Was Taller: A Short History Of Mel Brooks A wacky BBC documentary from 1981


An Audience With...Mel Brooks A 1984 episode of the UK Arena series, featuring stand-up, songs and cameos by Helen Mirren and Anne Bancroft


Excavating The 2000 Year Old Man The PBS documentary on the origin of one of comedy’s most celebrated routines.


Mel And His Movies, a New Five-Part Look Back


Vintage Appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show


Episodes of Get Smart, When Things Were Rotten and Mad About You


In The Beginning: The Caesar Years Mel takes us back to his colorful days as a writer for Your Show Of Shows. It features vintage sketches and clips from the 1996 PBS program Caesar’s Writers, including Neil Simon, Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner and Larry Gelbart.


Short Films, Tributes, Rarities and Much More Including his Oscar-winning short film The Critic


New Introductions by Mel


CD With Songs from Mel’s Movies and Long-Lost Comedy Bits from The Tonight Show, Open End With David Susskind


60-Page Book Featuring Rare Photos, Program Notes and Essays by Leonard Maltin, Gene Wilder, Bruce Jay Friedman and Robert Brustein