# AIRPLANE! vs. BLAZING SADDLES - Which is the funnier movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 16, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032 "2020-02-16T17:53:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/21 "2020-02-16T22:33:42Z")
Airplane. Didn’t even need to ponder on it. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/22 "2020-02-16T22:46:10Z")
**Moderator Action** > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > Sorry Mods - I needed a poll so I placed if here instead of CS. As was already mentioned, you can create polls in CS. Moving thread from IMHO to CS. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/23 "2020-02-16T22:50:51Z")
**"Where all the white ladies at?"** is perhaps the funniest single line in movie history. It’s either that or “Well, nobody’s perfect” from Some Like It Hot. I have to give this battle to Blazing Saddles because just thinking about moments like the one I mentioned make me smile. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/24 "2020-02-16T23:02:54Z")
“But where would I find a man like that?” (pause) “What am I looking at you for?” ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/25 "2020-02-16T23:06:34Z")
They are both great. Both in my top 10 comedies. I give Blazing Saddles the slight edge. I actually think Airplane! has aged more as so many of the references mean nothing to younger people. I know my kids prefer BS to Airplane! I think it is really close though. Oh, as to Some Like it Hot, I’m still confused by why it is so well regarded. Though it seems to be a generational thing. Now Arsenic and Old Lace is timeless, Some Like it Hot is really dated. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/26 "2020-02-16T23:19:33Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > _Blazing Saddles_, if only for Madeleine Kahn singing [“I’m Tired”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uai7M4RpoLU). A side-splitting send-up of [Marlene Dietrich](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANqGm-MiqQs) in Blue Angel. When she has to take a breath in that long note, I lose it every time. I’ve always thought it was a sendup of Dietrich in Stage Fright (1950 Hitchcock) where she sang “The Laziest Gal in Town.” Her voice was like 2 octaves higher in Blue Angel. Which takes nothing away from your point about the scene, which is for me the highlight of the movie. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/27 "2020-02-16T23:25:17Z")
I went with Young Doct…, wait, no, Blazing Sandals since YDF isn’t in the poll. Reasons put forth above; social commentary, it’s got musical numbers!. I’ll watch any of the three on late night TV if I can’t sleep. Personal rank: 1. Y D F 2. Blazing Saddles 3. Airplane ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2020, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/28 "2020-02-16T23:26:23Z")
Nowadays I’m still able to sit through Airplane! in it’s entirety. Can’t say the same for Blazing Saddles. Saddles has some classic lines and scenes but there’s a lot of filler that’s just not funny. Harvey Korman just ain’t that funny. The finale of the chase through the Hollywood sets ain’t funny. In a way it’s a lot like Caddyshack. Classic memorable scenes and lines but quite a slog to sit through these days. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/29 "2020-02-17T00:09:58Z")
Bite your tongue! Harvey is what holds the whole thing together. Every minute on screen is gold. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/30 "2020-02-17T00:23:25Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > I went with Young Doct…, wait, no, Blazing Sandals since YDF isn’t in the poll. Reasons put forth above; social commentary, it’s got musical numbers!. I’ll watch any of the three on late night TV if I can’t sleep. > > Personal rank: > > 1. Y D F > 2. Blazing Saddles > 3. Airplane What movie are you talking about with the initials Y D F? :dubious:😛 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/31 "2020-02-17T01:35:34Z")
It’s a close call, but I gotta go with Blazing Saddles. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/32 "2020-02-17T01:41:24Z")
Blazing Saddles, by a mile. I find Airplane! unwatchable anymore. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/33 "2020-02-17T01:49:57Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > What movie are you talking about with the initials Y D F? :dubious:😛 He’s putting a “_Dr._” in _Young Frankenstein_. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/34 "2020-02-17T01:53:13Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > They are both great. Both in my top 10 comedies. I give Blazing Saddles the slight edge. I actually think Airplane! has aged more as so many of the references mean nothing to younger people. I know my kids prefer BS to Airplane! > > I think it is really close though. > > Oh, as to Some Like it Hot, I’m still confused by why it is so well regarded. Though it seems to be a generational thing. Now Arsenic and Old Lace is timeless, Some Like it Hot is really dated. I agree with this post 100% ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/35 "2020-02-17T01:55:20Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > He’s putting a “_Dr._” in _Young Frankenstein_. Aye; I know that and you know that, but he doesn’t seem to know that. Hence my gentle and good-humored reminder, trying to allow him a chance to call out his own mistake in a similarly good-natured manner. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/36 "2020-02-17T02:11:04Z")
It’s BS all the way - right up until the closing scene. I get it’s a send-up of movie cliches, but for me that just is a real damper on what went before. I think others have it right. BS has the higher, more surreal moments (because you can almost convince yourself you are watching a real movie) - Airplane is just straight vaudeville, and never stops. Both great. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/37 "2020-02-17T02:21:30Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > The finale of the chase through the Hollywood sets ain’t funny. Sure it is. like riding off into the sunset to a horse trailer and a limo is funny as hell. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/38 "2020-02-17T02:35:35Z")
If I had to pick, which I did, it’s _Blazing Saddles_. Both are great, though I think BS has deeper humor behind it. (Despite the farting scenes and all that.) ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/39 "2020-02-17T02:46:55Z")
I was never a big fan of Blazing Saddles, even at its release. I get that it’s funny in a sophomoric way, but even as a sophomore I thought the jokes obvious and tiring. LOL in parts, yes, but overall it doesn’t do much for me. It may be the pacing. But I acknowledge…even celebrate…that Blazing Saddles was made with love and care by a great many people who knew that what they were making was special. Airplane!, on the other hand, was a film where really only Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker knew what what was going on, or had the vision of how these straight-delivered lines would come together. And like most other ZAZ films, I laughed heartily the first half-dozen viewings. Even now, I’ll stop and watch their films on TV if I run across them, and smile frequently even though I know all the dialogue. On the tangent of Young Frankenstein: it isn’t a laugh-out-loud film for me EXCEPT for the scene with Frankenstein at the [uncredited surprise actor]'s hermit hut. I think I may have pulled something internally. Even now, I know what’s coming, but it is still one of my top-3\* funniest film moments ever. But: not that I don’t find the rest of the film dull or unfunny; I love the whole thing, but it isn’t a “laugher” for me, but rather I appreciate the love and care that went into its making. - YF’s monster dance scene also nearly killed me the first time I saw it ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/40 "2020-02-17T03:52:05Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > What movie are you talking about with the initials Y D F? :dubious:😛 > [@silenus](#): > > He’s putting a “_Dr._” in _Young Frankenstein_. > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Aye; I know that and you know that, but he doesn’t seem to know that. Hence my gentle and good-humored reminder, trying to allow him a chance to call out his own mistake in a similarly good-natured manner. All the above and no one commented on me spelling “Saddles” as “Sandals” the first mention. I did that on purpose; nothing from the peanut gallery. Subtlety is dead. 😛 I can’t help it if the original title should have been, “Young Dr. Fronkensteen\*.” 😃 \*one of the quotable lines from the film if that’s too obscure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032.md?page=3)