BJI: “All About Me” by Mel Brooks

By Dave Goldstone, Books of Jewish Interest moderator

It was a joy reading and talking about Mel Brooks' book about himself: "All about ME!'

I’m a Brooklyn boy who worked a city job and often walked through Mel Brooks’ childhood neighborhood. It was an honor to introduce Books of Jewish Interest readers to this remarkable comedy writer, director , performer and producer of films and Broadway musicals, and compare his early beginnings with my own!

This is the interview the Martin showed at the end of the session. Enjoy!

In this memoir Mel (Kaminsky) Brooks speaks lovingly of his family and Brooklyn neighborhood as the "best years of his life " He used his talents and Chutzpah  to work his way up the ladder from coffee boy on Your Show of Shows to creating his own show, from TV's Get Smart to Hollywood's Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, Silent Picture, Spaceballs, Robinhood - Men in Tights, as well as winning a record number of Tony Awards for the Broadway production of The Producers.

Brilliance, positive attitude, love and plenty of good luck followed this amazing young man from Brooklyn as he approached the century mark. He is still making us laugh.

Thanks to Gail Robinson for choosing to close our comedy-themed season with the master of them all.

Can't wait til next season!