DJG / High Anxiety

High Anxiety * * *
Directed by: Mel Brooks / 1977

A humorous hodgepodge of Hitchcock homage aptly describes “High Anxiety”. It’s not my favorite Mel Brooks film, and hasn’t necessarily stood the test of comedic timing, but it was a treat to see him spin some literal Alfred Hitchcock yarns. There were also moments that borrowed similar master of suspense camera tricks. But, like every Mel Brooks farce or spoof, the tricks helped turned “High Anxiety” into an original and memorable comedic take on such classics as “Vertigo”, “Spellbound”, “North by Northwest”, “Psycho”, “Frenzy” and “The Birds”. I even think there were enough bird droppings to make Hitchcock blush.

-djg