# 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:** 4
**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, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/61 "2020-02-17T18:07:13Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > (Try re-watching _The Graduate_. Nothing happens and then nothing happens and then things slow down.) I only saw it for the first time about 5 years ago, and I found it engaging and funny the whole way through. I don’t remember being bored or anything by it. Then again, I did enjoy _Lost in Translation_ and _2001_, two other movies that often get picked on for slow pace or nothing much happening, though I really don’t think _The Graduate_ is anywhere in that circle. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/62 "2020-02-17T18:16:58Z")
Blazing Saddles is hands down the funnier movie compared to Airplane. ---
**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 17, 2020, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/63 "2020-02-17T18:57:02Z")
Funny, those of us willing to comment are running about 2 to 1 Blazing Saddles but the poll is almost 2 to 1 for Airplane. So Blazing Saddles inspires more passionate fans but less overall? ---
**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, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/64 "2020-02-17T18:58:59Z")
Or **Airplane!** fans are functionally illiterate. ---
**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 17, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/65 "2020-02-17T19:01:45Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Or **Airplane!** fans are functionally illiterate. Damn, no love for Airplane!? I mean to me it is below Blazing Saddles but still one of the “funniest” movies ever. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/66 "2020-02-17T19:14:54Z")
I also prefer _Young Frankenstein_ to _Blazing Saddles_, but that wasn’t the topic of this thread. I’ve never seen _High Anxiety_, so I can’t comment on it. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/67 "2020-02-17T19:27:53Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I also prefer _Young Frankenstein_ to _Blazing Saddles_, but that wasn’t the topic of this thread. I’ve never seen _High Anxiety_, so I can’t comment on it. I also watched _High Anxiety_ recently. It takes all the bad overacting from _BS_ and stops there. ---
**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, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/68 "2020-02-17T19:33:39Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Damn, no love for Airplane!? I mean to me it is below Blazing Saddles but still one of the “funniest” movies ever. Oh, I love **Airplane!** But against **BS**? This isn’t a three-way. I’ll dance with the one what brung me. Besides, **BS** has Randolph Scott. _Randolph Scott!_ ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/69 "2020-02-17T20:06:07Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Slow? Only for people of the MTV generation where if something doesn’t happen for 5 seconds the movie is “dragging.” Or speed freaks. > > Personally, I thing the ending of **Blazing Saddles** is perfect. Far better than that of **Airplane!** Face it - once the lights hit the runway **Airplane!** is over, but it goes on for another 20 minutes. > > I won’t defend Mel as an actor because I can’t. He sucks. Always has. But that doesn’t lessen the sheer wonder of **BS**. And Gov. Le Petomane was perfect. > > “Can’t you see that man is a nig?” It’s surprising how often situations come up in real life where I think “Hand these out in lieu of pay.” ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/70 "2020-02-17T20:28:13Z")
Airplane! is good. Young Frankenstein is better. ---
**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 17, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/71 "2020-02-17T20:32:51Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Airplane! is good. Young Frankenstein is better. And Fire Bad ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/72 "2020-02-17T20:51:26Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Funny, those of us willing to comment are running about 2 to 1 Blazing Saddles but the poll is almost 2 to 1 for Airplane. So Blazing Saddles inspires more passionate fans but less overall? That’s because _Airplane!_ fans are just simple farmers. People of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know… _morons._ ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/73 "2020-02-17T21:03:38Z")
Well, _I_ don’t think **Some Like it Hot** has dated. DAPHNE! ---
**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 17, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/74 "2020-02-17T21:13:33Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Well, _I_ don’t think **Some Like it Hot** has dated. > > DAPHNE! You’re over 70 though, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/75 "2020-02-17T22:58:03Z")
Love both, but I nevr did like the ending of BS and the non-verbal gags (like the prop plane noises every time they cue to an exterior shot of the plane) I found more amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/76 "2020-02-17T23:24:17Z")
Judging by past threads: [The comedy Airplane! was released 30 years ago! Surely you can’t be serious!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=570360) (over three hundred posts of quoting gag lines and responding to them) [Dopers of Color: Was “Blazing Saddles” offensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=172835) (which quickly devolved to posting gag lines, but fizzled before reaching a hundred posts) Surely, _Airplane!_ is broadly funnier. /straightline ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/77 "2020-02-18T00:07:33Z")
Tough one. Both had me in tears, when I first saw them. I have rewatched _Blazing Saddles_, but never _Airplane_, so I’ll go with Mel’s _magnum opus_. **Blazing Saddles** ’ humor is a little more complicated, too. I mean, yes, there are fart jokes. But to really understand the humor behind “Hey! Where da white wimmen at?”, or the black railroad hands singing Cole Porter, you have to have some awareness of race, racism, and racial stereotypes. _Airplane_ was brilliant, but a lot of the humor was puns - the “smoking ticket” that was actually smoking, the truck dumping lamps on the runway after Lloyd Bridges said he wanted every light available poured onto the field. Even as brilliant a line as “And don’t call me Shirley” is wordplay. > [@Acsenray](#): > > Blazing Saddles is a series of jokes that make 12 year olds giggle. There’s no question that Airplane is funnier. > > Many things in Blazing Saddles aren’t even jokes. Like the farting scene. It’s just a bunch of guys farting. He never bothered to write an actual joke for that scene. He didn’t need to. Farts are funny. Always have been - the oldest recorded joke in human history is a [fart joke](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-joke-odd/worlds-oldest-joke-traced-back-to-1900-bc-idUSKUA14785120080801). Even beyond that, though, that scene was playing with movie conventions. Brooks wrote that to point out the absurdity of scenes in Western movies of the time that showed cowboys eating beans and coffee around a campfire, but no one ever passing gas. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/78 "2020-02-18T00:11:48Z")
Airplane! is indeed sillier, but I think Blazing Saddles is funnier. I can watch BS several times a year and not get tired of it, but Airplane! is harder to rewatch. That said, Airplane (and Police Squad!) are some of my favorite comedies. The thing that puts BS over the top for me is the last scene (not the second-to-last scene), with the two riding off on horses and leaving in a limo, while the very sincere theme song plays. I kind of gets me “right here” - I feel kind of sad that the movie is ending, thinking about the characters that I’ve met and what life lessons were learned. OK, maybe it’s not funnier, but at the end, more touching. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/79 "2020-02-18T00:57:52Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > You’re over 70 though, aren’t you? I’m actually 120 years old, and I played in Chicago jazz bands during the 1920s. I guess I just identify with Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. Also, I like to dress up as a lady. DAPHNE!!! ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032/80 "2020-02-18T01:22:09Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Funny, those of us willing to comment are running about 2 to 1 Blazing Saddles but the poll is almost 2 to 1 for Airplane. So Blazing Saddles inspires more passionate fans but less overall? No, it’s because those who voted for Blazing Saddles deep down know they’re wrong and need to justify themselves 🙂 Airplane! is the funniest movie ever made (don’t @ me) and it’s not even close. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-vs-blazing-saddles-which-is-the-funnier-movie/848032.md?page=5)