High Anxiety

Name: High Anxiety
Director: Mel Brooks
Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Thriller
Released: 1977-01-01
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 6.4
Cast: Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Harvey Korman, Ron Carey

1977Dir. Mel Brooks1h 34m

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Runtime1h 34m

Released1977

Budget$4M

Box office$31.1M

DirectorMel Brooks

About This Movie

High Anxiety is a Mel Brooks romp that blends comedy with a dash of mystery and thriller elements. The film plays with a lot of Hitchcock references, which is pretty clear from the start. Brooks himself stars as Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke, a psychiatrist grappling with acrophobia, and his performance has that classic Brooks charm, balancing slapstick with anxiety. The pacing feels a bit uneven at times, but that just adds to the chaotic atmosphere of the mental institution setting. The practical effects, especially during the more intense moments, have a certain charm that's refreshing. Plus, the supporting cast brings their own quirks, enhancing the bizarre vibe throughout. It's not your typical spoof, but that's what makes it distinctive in Brooks' filmography.

Released by 20th Century Fox.Shot in California, mostly at the Universal Studios lot.Features cameos from classic comedians like Sid Caesar.Original music by John Morris adds to the comedic tone.