is currently streaming on HBO Max, along with a new introduction that automatically plays before the Mel Brooks classic begins.
It is unclear exactly when the intro was added to the 1974 comedy classic starring the late Cleavon Little and the late Gene Wilder, but it was sometime after the film premiered on the streaming service in July. "The intro was added to ensure that the film was put into the proper social context," an HBO Max spokeswoman told, which was pulled from HBO Max not long after the streaming service was introduced due to outcry over its outdated and racist story and themes. The 1939 war classic returned in June with additional context and a disclaimer attached.
TCM host and University of Chicago cinema and media studies professor Jacqueline Stewart provides the intro toA little more than three-minutes long, Stewart's intro puts the bigotry and racist language in context, the host saying, "as the storyline implies the issue of race is front and center inAnd racist language and attitudes pervade the film. But those attitudes are espoused by characters who are portrayed here as explicitly small-minded, ignorant bigots.
Stewart also shares some behind the scenes tidbits about the film, such as Richard Pryor was under consideration for the lead role, but Warner Bros. refused due to his substance abuse issues and controversial stand-up routines. However, he is still a credited screenwriter.
The most obvious satirical movie of all time needs a disclaimer?
Comedy is dead.
I wish there was a box to check so we didn’t have to bother with these disclaimers. Maybe label it “I understand the world didn’t begin yesterday.”
disclaimer is meant for idiots with zero sense of humor.
Do these idiots not know about CONTEXT?
Fuck HBO and 'woke' culture
Disclaim that Pryor was far more involved in it's writing/creation than he is given credit 4.
'But those attitudes are espoused by characters who are portrayed here as explicitly small-minded, ignorant bigots. The real, and much more enlightened perspective, is provided by the main characters played by Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder.' Like it needs to be explained. Sheesh
MichaelBrownUSA
Stream Black Bart, you cowards.
This movie in one of the funniest movies ever made. And needs no disclaimer.
Why? It’s painfully clear within the first few minutes that the racist people are the butt of the joke
This seems like a really good compromise. I don't see the harm in doing this.
I'm cool with disclaimers, warnings, and parental advisories... but the line is drawn at re-edits. Censorship is for China, not the USA.
People sure are weak and pathetic in 2020 if they are offended by Blazing Saddles and Gone with the Wind
I'm surprised the disclaimer does not give proper context to the farting cowboys scene, 'In the early 1970s farting was still seen primarily as comedic and not as an important natural body function.'
MrAlanSpencer melbrooks
Greatest comedy ever..we need,but wil never get,more films like this....
'SHIT, NOW SOMEBODY'S GONNA HAVE TO GO BACK AND GET A SHITLOAD OF DIMES!'
It's NOT a disclaimer. To call it that is to insult Mel Brooks. It's an introduction.
I get the movie is “problematic” (whatever that means) but that’s kinda the point. It’s witty and clever satire. A disclaimer ruins it.
'Cleveland' Little?
Anyone who needs proper social context for BlazingSaddles is probably not capable of comprehending satire or the biting wit of Richard Pryor.
Pathetic.
I know there are going to be people who have issues with this. But there are also people who weren't alive when it originally came out or that did have a structure to tell them about what it was before watching the movie. So it seems like a decent thing to do for both movies.
Love these tcm hosted intros. It would be nice for more movies to have Intros and Discussion/Commentary as Bonus Features.
Not to be a dick, but it's CLEAVON Little. He was just too damn good in it to get his name wrong.
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