High Anxiety
October 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Anxiety in Children
Mel Brooks\’ renowned spoof of the most famous Hitchcockian classics-Vertigo, The Birds, Psycho and Spellbound-is one of his most outrageous comedy classics. After a Harvard psychiatrist (Brooks) takes over the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous, he realizes his predecessor died under suspicious circumstances. When events take a murderous turn, he is accused of the crime and left with a full blown case of High Anxiety. Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman and Cloris Leachman co-star in this hilarious parody.more info
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Eugene R., Goshorn on Sun, 6th Sep 2009 3:23 am
The women steal High Anxiety
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
Now 30 years old, this movie didn’t make me laugh as much this time as it did when I first saw it so many years ago. The women, especially Cloris Leachman as the evil head nurse and Madeline Kahn as the love interest, steal the show. Of course, Alfred Hitchcock deserves some credit, too. And this movie is still one of Mel Brooks’ best.
Terry L. Clark on Sun, 6th Sep 2009 3:31 am
Hilariously funny movie
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I would recommend this Mel Brooks movie if you’re in the mood to see slapstick comedy with many popular comedic faces. You’ll come away repeating some of the catch phrases and dialog. I first saw it when it came out and still laugh when I see it. Mel Brooks is a genius!
Pat Mcgarvie on Wed, 9th Sep 2009 5:22 pm
A wonderful addition to Mel Brooks’ body of work.
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
When Mr. Brooks’ name appears in the opening credits I know that I’m in for a couple of hours of world class comic relief. Spoofs of everything are his forte. Political correctness is not a priority in a Mel Brooks production, but he is never mean spirited. His company of actors make everything work. I love this film and spent money to own and enjoy it. That is ‘High Praise’.
James J. Varela on Sat, 12th Sep 2009 10:55 am
Best Mel Brooks Film
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Simply Said, this is in my opinion the best film Mel Brooks ever made. Harvey Korman steals the whole movie.
Randall Bresee on Sun, 13th Sep 2009 9:37 am
Very Subtle If You Didn’t See Hitchcock Films
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I frequently give this movie as a gift…..That’s the case this time. If people have seen “The Birds”, “North by Northwest” or “Vertigo” they get it and are rolling in the aisles. If they don’t know Alfred’s work, they just don’t get it.
Sheila C. Emanuel on Sun, 13th Sep 2009 11:25 pm
High Anxiety
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
One of the funniest Mel Brooks movies ever. The take-off on Psycho is one of the best scenes in the film. My copy arrived quickly and in good order so I am totally pleased with everything.
D. Pawl on Tue, 15th Sep 2009 3:16 pm
hilarious……..
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Speaking as a great fan of Alfred Hitchcock and his infectious combination of twisted humor and compelling suspense, I would say HIGH ANXIETY is truly a valentine to the man and his vast body of cinematic work. Mel Brooks, the clown prince, is at it again! This time, he stars as Dr. Richard Harpo Thorndyke, The new head administrator of the Psychoneurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous. Thorndyke must contend with the likes of Dr. Montague (Harvey Korman) and his equally demented partner in crime, the devious Nurse Diesel (Cloris Leachman). Together, they are out to frame Dr. Thorndyke for a murder he never commited. In the face of this madness, the doctor encounters the alluring and seductive Victoria Brisbane (Madeline Kahn), the daughter of an industrialist who entered the Institute, to be treated for his condition. What’s more, many of the scenes pay homage (if in parody) to some of the most well-known and well-loved scenes from some of Hitchcock’s best films (including STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, THE BIRDS, VERTIGO and PSYCHO). For those of you familiar with Mel Brooks and his brand of comedy, you won’t be disappointed. For those of you who have never seen a Brooks film and are not familiar with Hitchcock, this will still provide belly laughs.
R. Steele on Tue, 15th Sep 2009 3:17 pm
Low-Grade Bat Guano
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
If you like movies that get reviews titled “Low-Grade Bat Guano,” this movie is for you.
All others, please beware.
D. Foster on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 3:18 am
Greay Movie-Price was right.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Very funny movie, should someday be a classic, price was really the best.
Joe Kuether on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 5:39 pm
High anxiety
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
A spoof on the Hitchcock classic that doesn’t miss a beat,proving Mel Brooks is king among all comic geniuses.
Beritt M. Brown on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 8:28 pm
High Anxiety
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is a really funny movie. All of the actors played their charaters very well. I especially liked Cloris Leachman, Harvey Korman and Madeline Kahn.
J. Peldo on Fri, 18th Sep 2009 12:37 pm
consider me insane!!!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
after watching this movie, i find it ridiculously hard to believe anyone couldn’t find this movie funny. From beginning to the end, the Hitchock spoofs were hilarious. So many funny little odities in the movie make it worth watching over and over, just because you find other funny things each time. From the suspenseful background movie music thats actually a orchestra passing in a bus to the patient at the Psychoneurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous with the werewolf nightmares. This movie will make you laugh over and over. If it doesn’t, you are TOO serious.
Toni Berg on Fri, 18th Sep 2009 1:09 pm
Still Can’t Stop Laughing
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
If meaning watching this movie six times in less than two months indicates I enjoyed it, then “yes” I did. After viewing it the first time, we even invited some of our friends to watch it with us. We have incorporated several of the funny lines into our every day living in order to humor one another. It has everything–funny dialogue and funny visuals. If you’re an Alfred Hitchcock fan,it will be especially enjoyable as many of the scenes are “spoofs” on some of his most notable films–so enjoy!
Chrisa V. Katsampes on Sat, 19th Sep 2009 7:28 pm
High Anxiety
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I’m normally not a fan of slapstick comedy, but High Anxiety by Mel Brooks is a real trip. Delivery of the DVD was quick, and the price was right as well.
E. A Solinas on Sun, 20th Sep 2009 1:49 am
“I got it… I got it… I got it… I ain’t got it!”
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Nobody is safe from satire, not even Alfred Hitchcock. But Mel Brooks straddles the line between parody and affectionate homage in “High Anxiety,” a hysterical psychiatric comedy that deftly references all sorts of Hitch films — while keeping in Brooks’ trademark slapstick, hilarious dialogue, and weird characters.
Dr. Richard Thorndyke (Brooks) has just been hired as the director of Psychoneurotic Institute for the Very, VERY Nervous, after the sudden death of the previous administrator. Something odd seems to be going on — screams are heard, a patient signals Thorndyke with a mirror, and Dr. Charles Montague (Harvey Korman) frightens a patient into fits. Then one of the doctors dies mysteriously, while trying to leave the conspiracy.
And when Thorndyke is lecturing at a psychiatry convention, the evil Nurse Diesel (Cloris Leachman) sends a hired killer (wearing a Thorndyke mask) to frame the doctor for murder. Now Thorndyke must elude the police and the killer, clear his name with the help of a mysterious blonde heiress (Madeleine Kahn), and overcome his crippling “high anxiety.”
As a homage/spoof, this is gold. Brooks deftly weaves together elements and storylines from various Hitchock movies, including “Vertigo” and “Spellbound,” with some nods to “Psycho,” “North By Northwest” and “The Birds.” There’s dizzying looks down a wooden tower, newspaper “stabbings” in the shower, and Madeleine Kahn’s strange not-so-icy blonde.
But it’s also a great movie in its own right. Rather than outright slapstick as in some of his movies, Brooks instead crafts a clever thriller framed with delicious comedy — he even makes fun of some standard filmmaking devices. For example, Thorndyke’s hotel suite is switched for a top-floor room because of a call from… “a Mr. McGuffin.”
And he fills it with hysterical comedic situations, like Victoria mistaking the sounds of a life-or-death struggle for a phone sex pervert, or Thornduke being assaulted by a crazed bellboy. And his dialogue is solidly quotable in this one (”Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup”). The highlight has to be murder-by-bad-pop song, where a man is trapped in a car with the unspeakably bad “If You Love Me Tell Me Loud Loud Loud.”
Gene Wilder wasn’t available when this was made, so Brooks took the lead himself. The seriousness of the character doesn’t entirely fit him, but he’s a solid enough Thorndyke, especially when he has to give a G-rated speech about penis envy.
Most of the comedy comes from an unfortunately blonde Madeleine Kahn as the chic love interest, as well as a ghoulish Leachman and S&M enthusiastic Korman (”Too much bondage, too much bondage, not enough discipline!”). And Ron Carey and Howard Morris round the cast off, as the photographically obsessed chauffeur and the stereotypical little German shrink.
“High Anxiety” is an affectionate parody/homage to Hitchcock — even Hitchcock was pleased by it — but it’s also a solid comedy movie. Definitely worth seeing!
anonymous on Sun, 20th Sep 2009 2:02 am
This is my favorite Mel Brooks movie!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I LOVE NURSE DIESEL!!!!!!! Who else but Cloris Leachman could pull off that awesome ’stache? No one bought me the DVD for Christmas, so I got it for myself. I’ve already watched it twice. If you haven’t seen it, you haven’t lived.
Lisa K. Mayfield on Mon, 21st Sep 2009 4:13 am
classic Mel Brooks
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
If you are a fan of Alfred Hitchcock and Mel Brooks you will love this movie. Full of silly sexual innuendo, ridiculous characters and typical Mel Brooks style.
J. Scotchler on Tue, 22nd Sep 2009 2:12 pm
A really great parody of Hitchcock by MEL BROOKS
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I really like and respect the skill and humor of Mel Brooks. I also really like Alfred Hitchcock. Both these guys are masters of what they do(did). This movie High Anxiety, was one of the funniest I have ever seen. It’s better to have seen the hitchcock films first, but not absolutely required. Mel’s actors are very funny and do a sensational job. This movie will be most interesting to the fans of Mel Brooks.
M. V. Fitzpatrick on Fri, 25th Sep 2009 1:00 pm
I love Mel Brooks!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Mel Brooks is always funny and smart! I love all the tough in cheek asides.
S J Buck on Fri, 25th Sep 2009 1:29 pm
Very funny
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is a great pastiche of many Hitchcock films. Watching it again recently I had forgotten just how funny and talented Mel Brooks is.
Great parodies of the shower scene from Psycho, various bits from Vertigo and obvious recreations of North by Northwest’s most famous scenes are all here. Brooks plays the leading role as well as directing and does a marvellous job.
This is a little treasure of film that is frequently forgotten, because of the success of Blazing Saddles and the brilliance of Young Frankenstein.
Kirk Alex on Fri, 2nd Oct 2009 9:43 am
Mel spoofs Hitch–and gets crapped on by pigeons for his effort
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
Very little that is funny or works here. Loved The Producers, though (1968 original version.)
Sorry, Mel. I know, comedy is tough to do. If it makes you feel any better, I think Sir Alfred is waaay
overrated.
Mclusky on Fri, 2nd Oct 2009 7:37 pm
Better then anything out today
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
High Anxiety plays off like a horror/comedy and keeps you hooked from the “dramatic airport” opener to the final showdown in the tower high above the Pacific Ocean. Most will say it’s just a comedy but I will say it’s a horror movie as well and I’ll tell you why.
Mel Brooks plays Dr. Thorndyke, a psychiatrist sent to work for an asylum out in California. He arrives just after the last guy died under mysterious circumstances and is immediately greeted by his new coworkers and associates including the downright evil and manipulative Nurse Diesel and the submissve but devious Dr. Monatigue. The suspense in this film starts out right away and literally doesn’t let up.
After a nice dinner when Nurse Diesel shows how controling she is the new coworkers propose a toast to Dr. Thorndyke. All participate in this toast except Nurse Diesel and the way the scene was done with the music, the costumes and the atmosphere will literally send chills down your spine.
This is a horror movie because the ideas that it explores are terrifying. Thorndyke finds out that Diesel and Montagiue are keeping people at the asylum against their will and bilking their families for money. Anyone in the inner circle who dares threaten the security and the secrecy of the evil scheming of Nurse Diesel is offed and disposed of. This easily could be remade into a straight horror film with concepts like the above mentioned ones. The concept alone is chilling even though Nurse Diesel is a laugh riot with her costume, mannerisms and the lines she uses. To me this movie showcases Cloris Leachman as a class act actress.
All in all “High Anxiety” is way more fun and classy then any comedy out today. It’s a drama/horror/comedy that is nonstop fun from start to finish and it’s not filled exclusively with tip offs to diversity and nonstop sex jokes like so many 21st century films. This is easily in my personal top 5 movie lists of all time. I think anyone with an open mind about what comedy is supposed to be about ought to give this one a spin. If you’re like me you’ll never be able to get enough of the evil scheming of Nurse Diesel. Who doesn’t like the bellhop with the newspaper scene?
Kathleen R. Hoy on Sat, 3rd Oct 2009 9:17 pm
Belly laughs!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Bought 2 of these as a Christmas gift for my dad and husband because whenever my parents visit us it’s th first thing my dad and husband rent. They laugh and laugh like little school boys during the WHOLE movie. And, they pretty much know it word for word! Go figure!
Movie Guy on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 11:04 pm
MEL BROOKS MOVIES
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Mel Brooks movies aren’t for everyone but for those who loves his type of humor, you’ll love it.
S. Garner on Wed, 7th Oct 2009 9:41 am
Confusing unless you know Hitchcock
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
This is a good film with wacky performances from Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, and Madeline Kahn. I think it would be confusing, however, unless you’re familiar with Alfred Hitchcock’s canon. I bought this for a friend who said she really liked the film and hadn’t seen it in years. We watched it together. She laughed more than I.
Baron Sardonicus on Thu, 8th Oct 2009 12:58 am
“Those who are tardy do not get fruit cup.”
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Oh, man, is this film quotable. Don’t get me started. “He wanted to change the drapes.” That never fails to make me crack up.
This movie is Mel’s homage to Hitch, and it’s so much fun from start to finish. I should mention that my favorite comedy film of all time is “Young Frankenstein”, which I give five stars to.
What a phenomenal cast (just like most of his films). Howard Morris, known as the wild Ernest T. Bass from The Andy Griffith Show, makes a wonderful Professor Lilloman (and Mel’s mentor in the story). “Do you really think this is nessa-” “Of course it’s nessa!”
And this is highly rewatchable comedy. You giggle at Nurse Diesel’s moustache, at the “coffee table” scene (”Finish your strudel”), the dollying movie camera that smashes through the wall, and so much more. Just deliriously silly comedy that they don’t make anymore.
D. B. Webb on Thu, 8th Oct 2009 6:39 am
Classic Mel Brooks – I loved it.
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
What can I say? It’s Mel Brooks. And he is spoofing some great Alfred Hitchcock movies like “The Birds,” “Pschyco” and “Vertigo.” The humor is sometimes suttle and sometimes slap stick, but always out loud laughable. Some of the jokes may be lost on the under 30 crowd but if you enjoy Alfred Hitchcock, you’ll enjoy this spoof.
Felice Prager on Thu, 8th Oct 2009 10:46 am
HIGH ANXIETY – BEST BROOKS
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is my favorite Mel Brooks’ film. A special treat is having that wonderful scene with Anne Bancroft, Mel’s better half. A question – whatever happened to Charlie Callas?
Keith Mirenberg on Fri, 9th Oct 2009 8:17 pm
High Anxiety-At last an explanation for “pee pee” envy!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
High Anxiety (1977) was a really funny spoof on many Hitchcock films including Vertigo and Psycho. It was filmed at the prestigious Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous where Harvey Korman makes certain that his patients don’t get out too quickly by taunting them with whatever their phobia happens to be. I especially liked his werewolf imitation for patients reported to see them and stabbing patients with paper clips (unobserved) and other foreign objects to continue their source of unexplainable pain. I first saw this five star film with my wife in 1977 in Connecticut and we really enjoyed it.
Wes Neskora on Sat, 10th Oct 2009 1:48 pm
Wonderful Addition to the Brooks Collection
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Anything of Mel Brooks’ is bound to be funny… and “High Anxiety” is no exception. Brilliantly crafted parody fits with the perfect comical acting of Kahn, Leachman, Korman and even Brooks himself. I was not particulary fond with the musical number, which one comes to expect with Brooks’ comedies, but oh, well. On the whole, a charmingly hilarious movie!