…so says Mel Brooks after the passing of comedian Harvey Korman, who died yesterday at the age of 81. Remembered most fondly for his work alongside sidekick Tim Conway on the Carol Burnett show and in Mel Brooks’ film “Blazing Saddles”, my favorite role of his was in another of Brooks’ films – the hilarious Alfred Hitchcock-spoof “High Anxiety”, still my favorite Mel Brooks film of all time.
Which reminds me of that classic scene in “High Anxiety” where Brooks does a bit as a schlocky lounge singer, singing the tune “High Anxiety”. The lyrics are a howl:
High Anxiety – whenever you’re near,
High Anxiety – it’s you that I fear.
My heart’s afraid to fly, it’s crashed before.
But then you take my hand, and my heart starts to soar
Once more. . . Key change!High Anxiety – it’s always the same.
Oooh… ‘Xiety- it’s you that I blame.
It’s very clear to me, I’ve got to give in!
High Anxiety – you win!
I sure would have loved to had sung that song in one of our Masonic Lodge variety shows!
But I digress.
Rest in peace, Harvey Korman – you made this world a happier place, and Brooks is right – the world will be a more serious place without you.
Ditto on the sadder place without Harvey Korman. He defined the role of second banana. Watching him try not to break up, and failing miserably at it, when Tim Conway went off on a tangent (remember the dentist’s office bit where Tim injects himself accidentally?) is TV gold.
And Mel Brooks should get some kind of lifetime musical award for his songs in movies. There is nothing so funny as “Springtime for Hitler” in The Producers, and “The Inquisition” in History of the World Part I. And of course, High Anxiety”.
Comment by Dave Richard — June 1, 2008 @ 7:58 am