Each semester, the Jewish Studies Program presents a series of films on a different topic relating to Jewish history or culture. Join us this Spring for a series celebrating the films of Mel Brooks. Screenings are free and open to the public.
Blazing Saddles, January 23 (1974, 93min)
The ultimate Western spoof. A town where everyone seems to be named Johnson is in the way of the railroad. In order to grab their land, Hedley Lemar, a politically connected nasty person, sends in his henchmen to make the town unlivable. After the sheriff is killed, the town demands a new sheriff from the Governor (Mel Brooks). Hedley convinces him to send the town the first Black sheriff in the West.
Young Frankenstein, March 13 (1974, 106min)
A young neurosurgeon inherits the castle of his grandfather, the famous Dr.Victor von Frankenstein. In the castle he finds a funny hunchback called Igor, a pretty lab assistant named Inga and the old housekeeper, Frau Blucher. Young Frankenstein believes that the work of his grandfather is subpar, but when he discovers the book where the mad doctor described his reanimation experiment, he suddenly changes his mind.
To Be or Not to Be, March 27 (1983, 107min)
A Polish actor and his wife are renowned in Poland at the start of WWII, but his wife has the habit of entertaining young Polish officers while he’s on stage, which is also a source of depression to him. When one of her officers comes back on a Secret Mission, the actor takes charge and comes up with a plan for them to escape.
History of the World, Part 1, April 24 (1981, 92min)
From the dawn of man to the distant future, mankind’s evolution (or lack thereof) is traced. Often ridiculous but never serious, we learn the truth behind the Roman Emperor, we learn what really happened at the Last Supper, the circumstances that surrounded the French Revolution, how to test eunuchs, and what kind of shoes the Spanish Inquisitor wore.