(Jewish Group) 'Blazing Saddles' still stands as one of the great comedies

[mucifer]

3. Here is the apology from Mel Brooks regretted naming the character Mongo after people protested

because Mongol was a term used for Down's Syndrome:

The character was based on Hoss (the late Dan Blocker) who used his great strength to help, rather than hurt men; and we felt that Alex Karras was good, strong choice to play him; and in the end, he helped Mongo to become one of the most entertaining and beloved characters in the film.

I have spoken to everyone connected with “Blazing Saddles” about Terry Boyle's letter and have shown them the mail that has come in from the parents of children suffering from Down's Syndrome. I cannot tell you how truly heartsick everyone connected with the film feels.

One of the joys in making comedy films is the thrill I get when I hear the laughter in a darkened theater and know that I have made people happy. I must tell yinu, in all candor, reading that letter and the endorsement of it in the Mental Retardation News was one of the unhappiest moments of my life.

MEL BROOKS Los Angeles

More explanation in the article:

https://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/02/archives/mel-brooks-begs-to-differ-film-openings-film-mailbag.html

I love Mel Brooks. But, that was a pretty bad f up. I am glad he apologized.