The Critic (1963)

Mel Brooks is an old man watching abstract animations. He doesn't understand them, so he heckles with strange commentary, to the annoyance of those around him.

Director:

Ernest Pintoff

Writer:

Mel Brooks (creator)

Star:

Mel Brooks

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Mel Brooks	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

Set against an unembellished and colour-shifting background, a sequence of vibrant and abstract animations of shapes, sometimes amorphous and surreal, while other times, geometric and simple, dance to the music of the baroque harpsichord. Before this intellectual phantasmagoria of image and sound, a grouchy old man struggles to make sense of the indecipherable patterns on the screen, commenting incessantly. Oh well, it seems like everybody's a critic.

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Plot Keywords:

old man | abstract | satire | poking fun at movie | film discussion | 

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Taglines:

What da H--- is Dis? Dis is from the FUNNIEST short of the century!

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Short

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Premiered at the Sutton Theater in Manhattan as the opening short for the Peter Sellers comedy Heavens Above.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Old Man from Russia: What the hell is this? Must be a cartoon.

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Connections

Featured in The Lady with the Torch (1999)

User Reviews

'Dis IS the Funniest Short of the Century!

This short film by Ernest Pintoff is probably the funniest short ever made. It stars Mel Brooks as an Old Man from Russia who watches a series of abstract cartoons. He can make neither head nor tail of them, and comments outrageously the entire time, much to the disturbance of the other patrons. Here is some of the earliest Brooks humor, and already it keeps your rolling in the aisles! Produced in association with Brooks' Crossbow Productions (the precursor of Brooksfilms).

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Критик

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pintof-Crossbow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

4 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1