"Love Power" from The Producers (1968)

Still amazingly funny even after 45 years, the produces went on to become a huge Broadway hit. But they left this scene out- thought it was outdated, maybe so, but for those of us who remember those times, this scene will always tickle a funny bone.

"Mel Brooks: Make a Noise" - American Masters (2013)

Once you have been exposed to the comedy of Mel Brooks you’re hooked for life. This is the guy who wrote for the landmark TV show “Your Show of Shows” starring Sid Caesar. Writing alongside such luminaries as Carl Reiner, and Woody Allen, this is the man who gave us the character of the “2,000 Year Old Man”, and then went on to be co-creator of the TV series “Get Smart”. That’s right, he invented the “shoe phone”, and the “cone of silence.” As far as the shoe phone goes, he was way ahead of his time.

Drawing on interviews with Mr. Brooks himself, as well as those who have worked with him for decades, the film provides a look inside the mind of someone who is arguably one of the funniest and most creative men of his time. Gene Wilder is effusive in his praise of Mr. Brooks, who really gave his career a boost as the foil to Zero Mostel in 1968”s “The Producer’s”, which has since gone on to become a legendary Broadway Show, a feat all in itself.

His marriage to Anne Bancroft is explored by both Mel and Anne, with predictably comic results. She claims, at one point, that he pursued her relentlessly, while at other times she admits to having fallen for him in an instant. And he has his own side of the story to tell, describing himself as a poor Jewish writer, struggling to make it, and smitten with the best actress on Broadway; Ms. Bancroft was fresh from her run in ‘A Miracle Worker” and seemed to be light years ahead of Mr. Brooks, and thus unattainable.

He was struck with the “bug” at age eight when he saw Ethel Merman on Broadway and knew exactly what he wanted to do in life. There was never a doubt in his mind about where he was headed. His time on “Your Show of Shows” is remarkably re-created in the film “My Favorite Year” with Peter O’Toole.

From “History of the World” to “Spaceballs”, which grew out of the little vignette at the end og the “History of the World” film (remember “Jews In Space” at the end?) Mr. Brooks has given us some incredible characters over the course of his 60 years in the business. And in this film, he recalls them all fondly. A must see for fans of Mel Brooks.

PS: I just saw that today is Mr. Brooks 87th birthday. Proof positive that laughter keeps you young at heart. Happy Birthday Mel Brooks!

Mental Floss History of the World by Erik Sass and Steve Wiegand

They say never to judge a book by it's cover but I have to confesss that I often do.This book is one of those. It was sitting facing out and staring at me like a Monty Python's Flying Circus poster. And the words "History of the World" immediately evoked images of the Mel Brooks' film, so I thought, "What's not to like?"

This edition is the 2009 soft covered release of the 2008 book of the same name. It has 2 added chapters. The book is arranged chronologically and is literally the type of book you can just pick up and open to any page.

Filled with facts the book is not one dimensional. It is ordered in such a way that the average reader will come away with an understanding of where are now, as compared to say, Ben Hur. Or the beginning of using copper.(The Copper Age)By the way, did you know the Copper Age began in the area which is now Wisconsin and Michigan? I didn't.

The book even touches upon Human Rights as they have evolved through history. Everything here is so readable that it just may turn you into a history buff!

Indexed very simply this is a book that the reader can keep close at hand for quick checks on things like who were the Estrucans? Popes and Religion, all are included. Space Race? No problem. This is a highly entertaining read of the History of the World. And the cover is great!