Gene Wilder

 

Mel Brooks directed Blazing Saddles, a satirical Western black comedy film released in 1974. Brooks, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, and Alan Uger wrote the picture, which stars Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder and is based on Bergman's story and draught. The picture got mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences, received three Academy Award nominations, and is currently placed No. 6 on the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Laughs list.

Governor William J. Le Petomane, a Yiddish-speaking Native American chief, and "a director" in line to assist invade Rock Ridge (a hint to Hitchcock) are among Brooks' supporting roles; he also dubs lines for one of Lili Von Shtupp's backing group. Slim Pickens, Alex Karras, and David Huddleston star among Brooks regulars Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, and Harvey Korman in the supporting ensemble. Count Basie, the bandleader, makes a cameo appearance with his orchestra.

The Library of Congress designated Blazing Saddles as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important" in 2006, and it was chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry.