Cinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: In Memory of Harvey Korman

At first, this was going to be a post about music on DVD -- in honor of the eleventh anniversary of Jeff Buckley's death, which horribly coincides with my birthday. But then there was another bout of sadness for the 29th -- the death of Harvey Korman. Coincidentally, I'd had a whole conversation yesterday about Abe Vigoda, and old funny men who are still alive. I wish this was the case for the great Harvey.

I'm not going to write a lot about his career -- Scott did that wonderfully in his obituary. And, I've already given you the double feature that covers my favorite Korman film roles -- the Mel Brooks-inspired March double feature of History of the World, Part 1 and Blazing Saddles. But Harvey Korman was really special, and he's given me, and many others, so very many laughs over the years that he deserves the Double Feature tonight.

But things are going to be a little different this week. So much of Korman's work is worth the time that I'm abandoning the two-film format and, instead, giving you a selection of clips and moments from the spectrum of Korman's career. Use this as a jumping point for your own Korman double or triple feature, or enjoy a full Harvey Korman marathon. Enjoy the clips after the jump, and weigh in on your favorite Korman moments in the comments.

Harvey, you will be deeply missed.

One of Harvey's first gigs was on The Danny Kaye Show. Here, he teaches Danny the delicate art of babies.

Harvey as the Great Gazoo on The Flintstones.

And one of my favorite clips from television, courtesy of The Carol Burnett Show:



Long before SNLers were stifling laughter during skits, Harvey tries to keep a straight face as Tim Conway plays a dentist who works straight out of the book.

Or.. Try him as the now-rotund Prince married to Snow White.

There's also The Muppet Show with Harvey.

...and he was even in the Star Wars Holiday Special.

A really great archive interview with Harvey Korman: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3


And then there was his work with Mel Brooks.

History of the World: Part One



These bits with Korman makes me giggle every time I see them. He played Count De Monet. Not de Money, but Moh-nay, Moh-nay, Moh-nay -- during the throes of the French Revolution. (You can see more of it here.)

And then there is...

Blazing Saddles



On the big screen, nothing beats his portrayal of Hedley Lamarr, rounding up everyone from buggerers to bushwhackers.

Pledge to Hedley Lamarr!



And, of course, he was the best part of Dracula: Dead and Loving It.

Many of his film stints were brief, and he didn't have a career full of leading roles. Yet still, he made the most of every moment on screen, whether it was stints in the funny world of Brooks, or many years of sketches on The Carol Burnett Show. What was so great about Korman's comedy is that he was both smart and silly. He skillfully balanced the laughs without falling into overly ridiculous, over-acted comedy. He could be the fiendish villain, a Prince who lost his charm, or anything in between. He had a charm that stuck with him throughout his whole career.

Now if you'll excuse me, I see a screening of Blazing Saddles and lots of Carol Burnett in my immediate future.