How did this become so popular? Was it “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”, or was it all the movies that came after that referenced it, usually through parody?
Yes.
I first heard it on WKRP and thought it was funny. I had no idea it was a parody. Such is my life though.
I think the phrase took off after it was used in Blazing Saddles in 1974. Google Ngram Viewer bears this out, with few instances between 1948 (when Treasure of the Sierra Madre came out) and that date.
Fun fact:
in Sierra Madre, it’s actually “We don’t need no badges. I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ badges.”
I LOVE that site… Thanks!
I knew that, which is a tiny reason why I wanted to know what influenced it. I just couldn’t imagine people saying it in the late 40s after the movie was released. I remember it being said in “Blazing Saddles”, but I know I’ve heard it many times.
I first heard it in Blazing Saddles, and somehow, pre internet, searched down the original source and eventually rented the VHS tape of Sierra Madre. I remember being all excited when the iconic scene played.
I first heard it in Brother From Another Planet. Had never heard the phrase before, but most of the audience had. It was a premiere at a film festival, so not surprising that it was so well known (except by me!).
I saw Blazing Saddles in the theater when it first came out, and recall being pleased at myself for catching the reference, which also suggests it wasn’t widespread before that.
Did someone say badgers?
