Halloween-A-Thon 2011: That's Fronkensteen!

Mel Brooks has created some of the greatest comedies of all time but "Young Frankenstein" stands out as a work of art above all others (at least in my humble opinion). Gene Wilder wrote it but Mel gave it the direction it needed and together they created a masterpiece of cinema. The genius of Brooks is shown through the use of not only the same scenery as the original Frankenstein but the same camera angles as well. The film is quoted more and more through the years and I don't know anyone who has ever said "I don't like Young Frankenstein". As with other Brooks films, a soundtrack album was released that contained not just the great music from the film, but also contained dialogue from some of the best scenes as well. Here is that soundtrack album for you to listen to and add a pinch of humor to your Halloween festivities! Enjoy!

Young Frankenstein OST

September of Soundtracks: Mel Brooks Double Feature

One of the most downloaded sharities on The World of Wonder is, without a doubt, "Mel Brooks' Greatest Hits". I posted it a little over a year ago and since then it has been downloaded over 600 times! It has held the position of number two of the top ten list for a good ten months! That album was a collection of songs from the films, "The Producers", "The Twelve Chairs", "Young Frankenstein", "Silent Movie", "Blazing Saddles" and "High Anxiety". Since then, I have been the most fortunate purchaser of two complete soundtracks of Mel Brooks' films. First up is the complete soundtrack to "Silent Movie". Since a majority of the film was music (the only one who said anything in the film was Marcel Marceau), the soundtrack is a must have! And it delivers everything you ever wanted from the film and then some! Along with that is the soundtrack to "To Be Or Not To Be". This was Mel's remake of the 1942 Jack Benny film about the Nazis and an acting troupe of Polish, Jewish and Gay actors and actresses. Mel's version is considered to be a gigantic improvement on the original and has become a classic. The soundtrack features the music, the vocal performances from the film and select sections of dialogue. Simply put, it's great! Here for you now are both of these great albums. Enjoy!

Silent Movie OST
To Be Or Not To Be OST

Bonus:
For those of you who may have missed it, here is the original post for "Mel Brooks' Greatest Hits"!


When I was in college and working at the campus radio station, they had a record that, in my opinion, was truly great. From the front cover, it looked like the original soundtrack to Mel Brooks' film, "High Anxiety". But when you turned it over, you realised that it was a collection of songs from all of his films up to High Anxiety. In fact, the spine of the album reads "Mel Brooks' Greatest Hits Featuring The Fabulous Film Scores of John Morris." Interesting packaging. Anyway, it was soon after finding that at the station that I went home for Christmas break. At the local record store, what do I find in the discount bin but a sealed copy of that same album. I present it to you now. Featuring songs from The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles (yes, "I'm Tired" is here), Young Frankenstein (the complete "Puttin' On The Ritz"), Silent Movie and High Anxiety! Enjoy!

Part 1
Part 2

Paul Lynde For The Win!

The last post of Mel Brooks' film music had ironic timing. AMC played Young Frankenstein on their "DVD TV" series last night and I found out today, that the musical version of YF is opening in November! Interesting! It also made me think of one of my favorite albums. This was originally owned by my father and then passed down to me when I started hosting my own radio show in college. The show was a Dr. Demento type show that featured comedy records and song parodies. In between the songs, I would play random short snippets from this album. What album am I talking about, you ask? Why Zingers From The Hollywood Squares, of course! This is from the seventies incarnation of Hollywood Squares. (Thank god. I didn't care too much for the 90s revival) It features all of the regulars from that era including the center square, Paul Lynde. It also features some great remarks from Burt Reynolds, Charo, Rich Little and many others. How does this tie in with the last post? It also features Mel Brooks! Here it is for you now to listen and love as I have over the years. Enjoy!

Zingers From The Hollywood Squares

Mel Brooks' Greatest Hits

When I was in college and working at the campus radio station, they had a record that, in my opinion, was truly great. From the front cover, it looked like the original soundtrack to Mel Brooks' film, "High Anxiety". But when you turned it over, you realised that it was a collection of songs from all of his films up to High Anxiety. In fact, the spine of the album reads "Mel Brooks' Greatest Hits Featuring The Fabulous Film Scores of John Morris." Interesting packaging. Anyway, it was soon after finding that at the station that I went home for Christmas break. At the local record store, what do I find in the discount bin but a sealed copy of that same album. I present it to you now. Featuring songs from The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles (yes, "I'm Tired" is here), Young Frankenstein (the complete "Puttin' On The Ritz"), Silent Movie and High Anxiety! Enjoy!

Part 1
Part 2