Struggling With A Word
Burton Gilliam portrayed the henchman Lyle, and he had issues using the racial slur his lines made him say. He checked with Cleavon Little before saying it, and the actor reassured him it was okay. Little did tell Gilliam that in any other situation they’d go to “fist city,” but the film was for fun.
Help With The Writing
Mel Brooks was an admirer of comic genius Richard Pryor, and he worked closely with him during the making of Blazing Saddles. Pryor actually wrote the majority of the lines for Mongo after becoming good friends with the film’s director when Brooks went to see one of his comedy performances.