THE DOCUMENTARY "Mel <a href="/topics//Mel_Brooks">Brooks</a>: Make a Noise" 
 WHEN | WHERE Monday night at 9 on <a href="/topics//WNET">WNET</a>/13 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Not shy by disposition, Mel <a href="/topics//Mel_Brooks">Brooks</a> has usually turned away requests to make films about him, until now. This "American Masters" portrait, produced by Robert Trachtenberg, covers a 60-year career through interviews (<a href="/topics//Matthew_Broderick">Matthew Broderick</a>, <a href="/topics//Nathan_Lane">Nathan Lane</a>, <a href="/topics//Cloris_Leachman">Cloris Leachman</a>, <a href="/topics//Joan_Rivers">Joan Rivers</a>, <a href="/topics//Carl_Reiner">Carl Reiner</a>, <a href="/topics//Barry_Levinson">Barry Levinson</a>), clips (all the major movies, from "The Producers" to "Spaceballs," and all the minor ones, from "The Twelve Chairs" to "Dracula: Dead and Loving It") and archival footage (including interviews with <a href="/topics//Anne_Bancroft">Anne Bancroft</a>, his wife of 41 years, who died in 2005, and Gene <a href="/topics//Gene_Wilder">Wilder</a>, his most famed partner in films). 
 But the star of the film is the subject, who impishly explains the circularity of his spectacular success: "I don't know if I'm talented, but I've told so many people I'm talented that they believe it, then they tell me I am. So now I believe it, too." 
 MY SAY There really is no conceivable way to screw up a film about <a href="/topics//Mel_Brooks">Brooks</a>. You turn on the camera, get out of the way, then let him talk. The absence of a fresh interview with Wilder here is a gaping one -- unexplained -- but not fatal. Nor is Brooks' skillful effort to deflect almost any discussion about his interior life. "American Masters" portraits are always about celebrations anyway, and this one's painted in big, bold brushstrokes, though there is at least one anecdote that cuts right to the heart of his accomplishment. <a href="/topics//Susan_Stroman">Susan Stroman</a>, the director-choreographer of the stage version of "The Producers," lost her husband, British director Mike Ockrent, to cancer just before they were to begin work on the musical. A master of persuasion, Brooks convinced her to stay on by promising that " 'you will laugh all day.' It saved me. It really did. It was meant to be that Mel came into my life." 
 All those who cherish Brooks -- his great films and not-so-great, and especially his effortless genius for making them laugh for so long -- will nod in silent and happy agreement. 
 BOTTOM LINE What's not to like? It's about Mel Brooks, for crying out loud. 
 GRADE A

THE DOCUMENTARY "Mel Brooks: Make a Noise" WHEN | WHERE Monday night at 9 on WNET/13 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Not shy by disposition, Mel Brooks has usually turned away requests to make films about him, until now. This "American Masters" portrait, produced by Robert Trachtenberg, covers a 60-year career through interviews (Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Cloris Leachman, Joan Rivers, Carl Reiner, Barry Levinson), clips (all the major movies, from "The Producers" to "Spaceballs," and all the minor ones, from "The Twelve Chairs" to "Dracula: Dead and Loving It") and archival footage (including interviews with Anne Bancroft, his wife of 41 years, who died in 2005, and Gene Wilder, his most famed partner in films). But the star of the film is the subject, who impishly explains the circularity of his spectacular success: "I don't know if I'm talented, but I've told so many people I'm talented that they believe it, then they tell me I am. So now I believe it, too." MY SAY There really is no conceivable way to screw up a film about Brooks. You turn on the camera, get out of the way, then let him talk. The absence of a fresh interview with Wilder here is a gaping one -- unexplained -- but not fatal. Nor is Brooks' skillful effort to deflect almost any discussion about his interior life. "American Masters" portraits are always about celebrations anyway, and this one's painted in big, bold brushstrokes, though there is at least one anecdote that cuts right to the heart of his accomplishment. Susan Stroman, the director-choreographer of the stage version of "The Producers," lost her husband, British director Mike Ockrent, to cancer just before they were to begin work on the musical. A master of persuasion, Brooks convinced her to stay on by promising that " 'you will laugh all day.' It saved me. It really did. It was meant to be that Mel came into my life." All those who cherish Brooks -- his great films and not-so-great, and especially his effortless genius for making them laugh for so long -- will nod in silent and happy agreement. BOTTOM LINE What's not to like? It's about Mel Brooks, for crying out loud. GRADE A

Entertainment

ETTEL20.WEB

'Mel Brooks: Make a Noise' review: What's not to like?

Newsday

mel brooks cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

Joel will be interviewed by Rick Beato for his music-oriented YouTube podcast.

Billy Joel appears on popular music podcast

There's little new in this docuseries about the L.I. stock firm behind a major fraud,

Take two: 'Real Wolf of Wall Street' rehashes the movie

"Valley of the Dolls" and "St. Elmo's Fire" were bad, but their songs were music to our ears.

Remember these great songs from not so great movies?

Mayor Mamdani said she paid the city for "the event and the response to the event."

Taylor Swift paid $160G in city permit bill for wedding

Robert Montano stars in this NYC show about his life at Belmont racetrack.

Belmont jockey's wild ride: LI man stars in 'Small'

Read this and you'll know the difference between Homer and Homer Simpson.

Get ready for 'The Odyssey' with our handy cheat sheet

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

This new 'Prairie' home puts a fresher and truer spin on Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories.

Netflix's 'Little House' reboot has a big heart

Nominees "The Diplomat," "The Gilded Age" and "The Beast in Me" all have local ties.

'The Pitt,' 'Hacks' and LI-themed shows are all heavy Emmy contenders

Back in the '60s, the legendary DJ knew was what was happening on New York radio.

Rock, roll and remember: Murray the K, the 'Fifth Beatle'

Here's a look back at the movies, theater, TV and music that captivated us during that glorious year:

Remembering the pop culture of 1976: The Bicentennial year brought us 'Charlie's Angels,' 'Rocky,' 'Disco Duck,' lots more

According to Paramount+, the docuseries "uncovers the explosive true story of Jordan Belfort's meteoric rise, his stunning fall and those he left stranded in his wake."

'Real Wolf of Wall Street' docuseries promises shocking revelations about LI stockbroker left out of Leonardo DiCaprio movie

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Marie Elena Martinez got a sneak peek at the new Babylon Whiskey Down Diner location, which is currently under construction with plans to open in the fall.

Take a peek inside Whiskey Down Diner's new location

For a quick trip not far from home, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano checks out the Rockaway Hotel.

A getaway close to home for mom

A weaver from Huntington helped hide guns from the British at his home. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: The arsenal in Huntington

Joe Tosini, owner of River Center Shopping Center in Riverhead, said the businesses in the center lost power during Saturday's storms and that their electricity wasn't restored until late Tuesday afternoon. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Riverhead shopping center back in business after 3-day power outage

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joined the volunteers of Save the Great South Bay to clean oysters. The oysters are cleaned weekly and then placed back into the bay, where they'll be able to help filter the water.

Help boost the Great South Bay oyster population

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits Palmer Vineyards, where they host 'summer late nights,' which have become very popular.

Out East: Take a sip at this winery that's ready for summer

A draft rule introduced this month by House and Senate Republicans would significantly limit compensation for service-connected tinnitus and sleep apnea for veterans. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI vets concerned about bill that would reduce benefits

Juan Bonilla Lagos, who was arrested by ICE in October near his Plainview home, was freed from jail after nine months.

Plainview man detained by ICE freed from jail after 9 months 

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits L'Etoile in Oyster Bay. The French restaurant is in the building that used to be Snouder's Drug Store.

Historic LI building home to new French restaurant

As boaters set out on the water this summer, they will be paying more at the pump. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Boaters feeling the pinch at the pump 

Sitewide Video Playlist

There have been 23 closures due to shark sightings at Queens' Rockaway Beach and that has other South Shore beaches on alert. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'They're coming to visit more often'

Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.

'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem'

DeVuono describes her scheme to an undercover investigator in January 2022.

See the undercover video of the DeVuono sting

'We're still behind'

The foundation paid for staff events at wine bars, a $2,000 limo ride and a Gracie Mansion gala. Newsday investigative reporter Peter D'auria, Richard Kessel, current chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation and Albany Law School professor Randle Pollard discuss.

'It should exist for the benefit of the hospital'

It was an unimaginable crime that shattered the idyllic image of a suburbia. On July 4, 1956, little Peter Weinberger, only 32 days old, was snatched out of his stroller on the back patio of his family's home in Westbury and killed. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'It impacts who I am today, and I'm going to be 80'

Dangerous extreme heat with the possibility of thunderstorms are in store for Long Island and the entire NYC area beginning Wednesday, NewsdayTV's meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Possible record temperatures coming

'I fought so hard'

Teachers' median pay on Long Island grew by 1.5% in Nassau and 0.9% in Suffolk from the 2023-24 school year. Newsday education reporter Dandan Zou has more.

'They should make more'

The mother of a 7-year-old who was allegedly tortured and killed is filing a $250 million lawsuit against Suffolk County. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'Multiple systems together that failed at every single point'

The village defended its rejection of a St. James cell tower, proposed by LI Smart Solutions on the campus of the 40-acre Knox School, arguing in a new legal filing the applicant could have revised its proposal to comply with local regulations.

Village defends cell tower rejection

Here's how these Long Island content creators use TikTok to build their careers.

Meet the Long Islanders making it big on TikTok

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Mel Brooks: Make a Noise' review: What's not to like?

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.