This Houston Chronicle review was originally published on March 15, 1974. The easiest way to deal with Mel Brooks' new film "Blazing Saddles" (at the Greenway Plaza, Northwest, Town & Country and ...

Mel Brooks' satirical Western Blazing Saddles got mixed reviews when it opened in February 1974, but it became the year's biggest box office hit. Above, Cleavon Little, left, as Sheriff Bart and Gene ...

I was 15 and probably looked about 11 when "Blazing Saddles" was released in 1974, but my buddies and I had no trouble buying movie tickets. The kid at the counter was no cop, and the sweet lady ...

With its scathing social satire, raunchy humor and frequent use of the controversial N-word, “Blazing Saddles” got mixed reviews upon its release February 7, 1974. Nonetheless, it galloped to the top ...

Editor’s Note: Noah Berlatsky (@nberlat) is a freelance writer in Chicago. The views expressed here are his own. View more opinion on CNN. On social media at least, Mel Brooks’ classic “Blazing ...