Isaac5855 Review of Silent Movie

Silent Movie (1976)

Not one of Mel's Better Efforts, But Still Provides Sporadic CHuckles

[6/10 · 10 March 2008]

Mel Brooks decided to break some new ground with SILENT MOVIE, an actual silent movie in which Brooks plays Mel Funn, a movie director who decides he wants to make a silent movie and his misadventures as he attempts to find stars for his project. It's a cute idea that grows tired rather quickly but there are some laughs here and there. Dom DeLuise and Marty Feldman are very funny as Mel's assistants who accompany him on this journey and Bernadette Peters makes a lovely, silent romantic interest. Paul Newman, James Caan, Burt Reynolds, Anne Bancroft,Liza Minnelli, Anne Bancroft,and Marcel Marceau make cameo appearances as the stars Funn tries to recruit for his movie. Reynolds' scene is especially hilarious. Mel has definitely made better films, but mediocre Mel Brooks is better than none at all. Beware of edited prints.