Silent Movie (1976)
Movie Info
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Cast
as Mel Funn
as Marty Eggs
as Dom Bell
as Vilma Kaplan
as Studio Chief
as Engulf
as Devour

as Pregnant Lady

as Newsvendor
as Maitre d'
as Studio Gate Guard
as Intensive Care Nurse

as Studio Chief's Secretary

as Acupuncture Man

as Hotel Bellhop
as Man in Tailor Shop
as Blind Man

as Fly in Soup Man

as British Officer

as Executive

as Executive
as Executive
as Executive

as Executive
as Executive

as Beautiful Blonde

as Beautiful Blonde

as Beautiful Blonde

as Projectionist
as Himself
as Himself
as Herself
as Himself
as Herself
as Himself
Critic Reviews for Silent Movie
All Critics (22) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (4)
... fun from beginning to end... [Full review in Spanish]
What disconcerts me about Mr Brooks is his obviousness, the lack of any true surprise in his gags.
Silly strained comedy.
Not Brooks' best, but still funny
While Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein stride across the land with seven-league boots, Silent Movie glides on tip-toe like Bugs Bunny in ballet slippers.
Mel Brooks has never known when a joke is worthy of a five-minute bit and when it's something you can flesh out into a full length feature.
Audience Reviews for Silent Movie
In the 1970's Mel Brooks was the cinematic comedy genius. He created the most celebrated western parody with Blazing Saddles, a wager that paid off. During that same glorious year of 1974 he delivered Young Frankenstein, a tongue in cheek look at the Universal monster movies that he also released in black and white. Brooks wasn't afraid to go way outside the box to deliver his films, which brings us to his 1976 film Silent Movie. Silent Movie follows the antics of Mel Funn (Brooks), Marty Eggs (Marty Feldman), and Dom Bell (Dom DeLuise). The trio has a plan to make a silent movie, forty years after talkies took over the cinema. The main focus of the film is to get big stars for their trip into nostalgia, such as Burt Reynolds, James Caan, Liza Minelli, and Anne Bancroft as a way to produce a hit for the studio that is on the edge of being consumed by a conglomerate. Hilarity ensues. Oh, did I mention that the film is also silent? Yes, Mel Brooks accomplished a silent film in 1976. The man could do no wrong. The first thing we need to get out of the way is that when compared to Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie is the weakest of the three. So if you're expecting an equivalent, don't do it. Now taken on its own this is a pretty funny film. Mel Brooks delivers a film with slap stick and uses silent film conventions in the modern era. The film works, but it's doesn't quite achieve the greatness of Brooks work two years prior, mainly due to the limitations of making a silent film. The thing I ask myself is that after creating two of the greatest comedies of our time did Mel Brooks submit this film as a joke because the studios thought he could do no wrong? I can just imagine him being asked what his next film would be and him saying, tongue in cheek, that he was going to do a silent movie and the studio went wild over the idea. Even though set with an early 20th century motif, it does comment on the film industry of the 1970's, mainly in the fall of the studios to the conglomerates that gobbled them up. The studio system was dead and this film partially examines its obituary. Silent Movie isn't Brooks best work, but it is a funny film that is lulled by its main premise. It's still enjoyable after 40 years and spotlights the audacity of the film industry's greatest comedic genius.
Super Reviewer
Clever idea for a 15 minute short film is dragged out to a full-length feature. Not only does the gimmick get old fast, but the non-silent era stars don't have the chops to pull off expressive silent acting. I almost never laughed. At least the theater will be quiet enough for you to fall asleep during this dud.
Super Reviewer
In case you're wonder, yes this movie is silent! Brooks brings us nostalgia of the old silents, and it is hilarious. If you like his films, I highly recommend seeing this one too.
Super Reviewer
Silent Movie Quotes
Mel Funn: | She's incredible! I hope to God she's not a female impersonator. |
Marty Eggs: | Would you mind dancing with a mild-mannered pervert? |
Himself: | Non! |