On this day June 12, 1981, History of the World Part I premiered in theaters. Directed by Mel Brooks, the film was a wild and irreverent journey through several major periods in world history, all told with the over the top humor that made Brooks a comedy legend. The movie starred Mel Brooks in multiple roles alongside Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman and Gregory Hines in his big screen debut.
With a budget of 10 million dollars, the film earned 31.7 million at the box office. Its blend of slapstick, satire and musical numbers made it a fan favorite, particularly among audiences who loved Brooks’s earlier hits like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. The film featured unforgettable sequences including the Stone Age, the Roman Empire and the French Revolution, along with the famous line It’s good to be the king.
History of the World Part I became one of Mel Brooks’s most quotable comedies and introduced Gregory Hines to film audiences, beginning a successful acting career alongside his accomplishments as a dancer.
80s insight: Mel Brooks brought a brand of comedy that thrived on pushing boundaries. In an era of bold films and fearless creators, History of the World Part I fit right in with the spirit of the 80s by mixing history, parody and absurdity without holding back.