The audience. They see the name Mel Brooks, they want something really funny. They don't want to be moved; they don't want to be taught any lessons. [...] I get more letters for ๏ปฟTwelve Chairs ๏ปฟand ๏ปฟLife Stinks๏ปฟ than I get from any other movies, because people actually agree with the philosophy, or were moved, or they love the movie.
Mel BrooksWhen I was a little kid at home, I thought the whole world was Jewish. For years I thought Roosevelt was Jewish. I loved him. I thought of him as my father. I'm always stunned when I find out that people like Roosevelt and Tolstoy weren't Jewish. How could I love them so much?
Mel BrooksMy God, I'd love to smash into the casket of Dostoyevsky, grab that bony hand and scream at the remains, 'Well done, you god-damn genius.'
Mel Brooks