"He Rode a Blazing Saddle, He Wore a Shining Star..."

Thus begins one of the two funniest movies of all time. Today, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of them: Blazing Saddles.

Kathleen and I sat in a Norman, Oklahoma, theatre the day after it was released and, by the time we walked out, my side and jaw were in pain from laughing so often and so hard. 

Above is the trailer for Blazing Saddles. From it, one wouldn't have gathered how incredibly funny and clever the movie is. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it highly but it is not for children. It and Airplane! are the funniest movies ever made. 

There are six given writing credits for the movie's script, but, the mastermind was the inimitable Mel Brooks. Whether it be Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein or The Producers, no one else could produce laughs like Mel. We are incredibly lucky to have had him with us for 97 years and counting. He is pictured below with is Kennedy Center Honors decoration. 

Thanks for all the laughs, Mel!!

BTW, if you must post your favorite line from the movie ["I must, I must"], please do so in the comments section below. PG only, please.