1. Putting on the Ritz – Young Frankenstein (1974)
We cannot possibly fit all of Mel Brooks’ funniest moments into one story. Just Young Frankenstein or Blazing Saddles could fill a book on funny moments (that is, if you are like us and love Mel). But with the new Spaceballs movie announced, and Mel approaching 100, we decided to tackle this. So here are (just some) of our all-time favorites. See if we got it right, and what you’d like us to add in a follow-up story.
It starts like something out of a Broadway dream. Dr. Frankenstein presents his creation to the world, and instead of grunting or growling, the monster joins him in a tap-dancing, tuxedo-wearing duet of “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” The monster bellows the lyrics while Wilder stays committed to the act, never once cracking. The absurdity of the moment, matched with its polished performance, makes it a standout. It’s a ridiculous situation played completely straight, and that’s why it works. It feels like Mel Brooks looked at a classic monster story and thought, why not add a little razzle-dazzle for fun?
2. The Bean Scene – Blazing Saddles (1974)
Who knew a fart joke could make film history? In the middle of the desert, a bunch of cowboys sit around the fire, quietly eating beans. Then the chaos begins. One by one, they start letting it rip, and the scene quickly turns into a full-blown symphony of flatulence. It’s crude, yes, but it caught audiences completely off guard in the best way. This wasn’t a background joke or a throwaway gag. It was front and center, loud and proud. Only Mel Brooks could take something so lowbrow and turn it into a moment audiences still laugh about decades later.
3. Spanish Inquisition Musical – History of the World, Part I (1981)
Just when you think you’ve settled into a historical narrative, Mel Brooks pulls the rug out from under you with a full-blown musical number. Suddenly, inquisitors burst into song and dance, complete with synchronized choreography, glittery robes, and a chorus line of nuns. The absurdity of pairing torture with a jazzy Broadway routine is exactly what makes it so funny. There’s no warning, no logic, and that’s the whole point. It’s comedy that thrives in chaos, and Mel’s brilliance lies in making the unexpected feel oddly perfect. You’re confused, you’re laughing, and somehow, you want to watch it again.
4. “It’s Good to Be the King” – History of the World, Part I
Some lines don’t just make you laugh. They stick with you. As King Louis XVI, Mel Brooks lounges in luxury, surrounded by excess and absurdity. In the middle of it all, he turns to the camera, smirks, and says, “It’s good to be the king.” It’s the kind of wink that makes you feel like you’re in on the joke. The line became a pop culture staple because it captures everything about Mel’s humor, self-aware, slightly inappropriate, and perfectly timed. It’s arrogant, yes, but so over-the-top that it’s funny instead of smug. Just one line, and you’re grinning for days.
5. “Walk This Way” Gag – Young Frankenstein
Sometimes the simplest jokes hit the hardest. Igor greets Dr. Frankenstein and his assistant, saying “Walk this way” before limping off dramatically. Without hesitation, they follow, mimicking his limp exactly. That’s the whole joke, and it lands because no one acknowledges the weirdness. The straight-faced delivery makes it even better. It’s quick, clean, and completely unexpected. Mel Brooks didn’t need layers of setup or explanation. A phrase, a limp, and some perfect timing turned it into comedy gold. It’s one of those gags that sticks with you, especially because you can’t help but laugh every single time it’s replayed.
6. “We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Badges!” – Blazing Saddles
It’s a moment that starts like a gritty western cliché and ends with pure parody. When asked for identification, a group of bandits boldly declares, “Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!” It’s a twist on a line from a classic film, but in typical Mel Brooks style, it’s exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness. The delivery is so serious that it becomes funny, turning what could have been a forgettable exchange into something unforgettable. Mel didn’t just poke fun at old movies, he gave their most famous lines a fresh, absurd twist that audiences couldn’t resist quoting.
7. Hitler Audition – The Producers (1967)
It sounds impossible, but Mel Brooks pulled off a musical number featuring a hippie Hitler that somehow doesn’t feel offensive, just wildly, jaw-droppingly absurd. During auditions for the fictional play “Springtime for Hitler,” one actor takes the stage and turns the dictator into a flower-waving, peace-sign flashing showman. It’s uncomfortable, hilarious, and strangely cathartic all at once. Mel didn’t just parody history, he disarmed it. This scene shows his gift for making people laugh at things they never thought they could. By making Hitler ridiculous instead of scary, he flipped the power dynamic. And somehow, it worked beautifully.
8. Combing the Desert – Spaceballs (1987)
This one’s all about taking things literally. When Dark Helmet’s troops are ordered to “comb the desert,” they break out actual giant combs and start dragging them through the sand. It’s a sight gag that’s so dumb, it loops back around to being hilarious. One team even uses a giant Afro pick. The joke is quick, the delivery deadpan, and the timing flawless. Mel Brooks knew that a visual gag only needs a second to hit, and this one lands hard. It’s silly in the best way, and once you’ve seen it, you’ll never hear that phrase the same.
9. President Skroob’s Password – Spaceballs
This scene hits a little too close to home. When President Skroob reveals his spaceship’s password is “1-2-3-4-5,” everyone reacts with disbelief. But the punchline comes when another character says, “That’s the same combination on my luggage!” It’s the kind of joke that feels both ridiculous and strangely familiar. In an era where people still use bad passwords, this moment only gets funnier with time. Mel Brooks took something mundane and turned it into a perfect comedy beat. It’s not just about spaceships or sci-fi, it’s about how silly people can be. And that’s why it works so well.
10. Dark Helmet Madness – Spaceballs
Some villains are scary. Dark Helmet is just hilarious. Played with over-the-top seriousness by Rick Moranis, the character stumbles through the film with exaggerated movements, an absurdly large helmet, and a complete lack of self-awareness. He’s the guy who plays with dolls in secret and crashes into walls mid-command. What makes it work is that no one ever points out how weird he is. Everyone plays it straight. That’s the magic. Mel Brooks didn’t just spoof villains; he made one so ridiculous that he became iconic. Dark Helmet is proof that commitment makes even the silliest ideas shine.
11. Virgin Alarm – Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
It’s a classic Brooks moment, mixing old-fashioned ideas with modern absurdity. In this scene, Maid Marian wears a high-tech chastity belt complete with a built-in siren. When someone tries to mess with it, the alarm goes off like a car being broken into. It’s ridiculous and a little risqué, but it never crosses into being crude. That’s the balance Mel always managed to strike. The humor feels cheeky instead of vulgar, and that’s what makes the moment stand out. You laugh, shake your head, and secretly admire how clever the whole thing is. Mel just knew how far to push.
12. Count de Monet – History of the World, Part I
Sometimes, it only takes a name to make you laugh. Enter Count de Monet, a character whose name gets mispronounced again and again as “Count da Money.” It’s a joke so simple and childish, yet it never fails to get a giggle. Every time the mistake happens, the count grows more irritated, and that only makes it funnier. Mel Brooks knew that repetition could be powerful, especially when combined with the right delivery. This kind of wordplay might seem silly, but in Mel’s hands, it becomes comedy gold. You hear it once, and suddenly you’re waiting for it again.
13. “High Anxiety!” – High Anxiety (1977)
When Mel Brooks does Hitchcock, he goes all in. The film is full of suspenseful nods and camera angles, but the best moment comes when Mel’s character finally snaps and screams the movie’s title at the top of his lungs. The tension builds and builds, and instead of a dramatic twist, you get a man yelling “High Anxiety!” like it’s a punchline. It’s funny because it breaks the rules. It turns fear into comedy, panic into playfulness. And it shows how Mel could take any genre and bend it to his will. He made even suspense look a little silly.
14. “What knockers!” – Young Frankenstein
It’s quick, it’s silly, and it still works. As Dr. Frankenstein arrives at the castle, he comments on the large, decorative door knockers. His assistant, played by Teri Garr, misinterprets the compliment as being directed at her chest. Her cheerful “Thank you!” response seals the joke. It’s a simple double entendre, but it lands because of the straight-faced delivery and perfect timing. Mel Brooks didn’t need to be crass to get a laugh. He let the audience connect the dots, and that trust made the jokes funnier. Sometimes, all it takes is a pun and a raised eyebrow.
This story Mel Brooks at 99: The Funniest Movie Moments from a True Comedy Legend was first published on Daily FETCH
