High Anxiety

In this perceptive, sidesplitting homage to Hichcock films, director, star, and writer Mel Brooks plays the average American guy, psychiatrist Richard Thorndyke (as in Roger Thorndike, Cary Grant's character in NORTH BY NORTHWEST), who's terrified of heights (think VERTIGO). He becomes the new chief of the Institute for the Very Very Nervous, where things are not what they seem, and it's not long before Richard finds himself embroiled in murder, deception, and other hilarious situations. While Brooks plays the quintessential innocent man accused, Madeline Kahn is perfect as his Hichcockian icy blonde love interest, Victoria Brisbane. It is perhaps Cloris Leachman, though, who is at her most deviantly funny as Nurse Diesel a kind of cross between her Frau Blucher character from YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and Nurse Rached from ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. HIGH ANXIETY is a treat to watch just to spot the Hitchcock parodies/homages, as Brooks amiably spoofs some of the suspense master's most famous scenes, including hysterical takeoffs of THE BIRDS and PSYCHO. HIGH ANXIETY is one of Mel Brooks's most consistently entertaining films.

Brooks at his best - Hilarious.

a classic Mel brookes

tribute to the master of suspense alfred hitchcock

The opening scene set the alarms bells ringing that this just wasn't going to be funny. And it wasn't. How Brooks could make something that fails so badly when there's so much material to draw from - spoofing Hitchcock - is beyond me. But it really is embarrassingly unfunny. Someone needed to take Mel aside during the rushes and tell him it just wasn't working; I guess no-one did.

If you want a funny Mel Brooks film rent Spaceballs instead.

I really enjoyed this film - it isnt one of mel brooks' best films, but its one you never get to see on telly anymore! if you enjoyed blazing saddles - this ones a sure thing.