High Anxiety
| High Anxiety | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Mel Brooks |
| Produced by | Mel Brooks |
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| Starring | |
| Music by | John Morris |
| Cinematography | Paul Lohmann |
| Edited by | John C. Howard |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
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Release date
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Running time
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94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4.015 million |
| Box office | $31.1 million |
High Anxiety is a 1977 American satirical comedy film produced and directed by Mel Brooks, who also plays the lead. This is Brooks' first film as a producer and first speaking lead role (his first lead role was in Silent Movie). Veteran Brooks ensemble members Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, and Madeline Kahn are also featured.
The film is a parody of suspense films, most obviously the films directed by Alfred Hitchcock: Spellbound, Vertigo and The Birds. The film was dedicated to Hitchcock, who worked with Brooks on the screenplay and later sent Brooks a case containing six magnums of 1961 Château Haut-Brion wine to show his appreciation.
The story begins at Los Angeles International Airport, where Dr. Richard Thorndyke (Mel Brooks) has several odd encounters (such as a homosexual man disguised as a police officer, and a passing bus with a full orchestra playing inside it). He is taken by his driver, Brophy (Ron Carey) to the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very Very Nervous, where he has been hired as a replacement for Dr. Ashley, who died mysteriously. Brophy has a condition of nervousness, and he takes pictures when he gets nervous. Upon his arrival, Thorndyke is greeted by the staff, Dr. Charles Montague (Harvey Korman), Dr. Philip Wentworth (Dick Van Patten), and Nurse Charlotte Diesel (Cloris Leachman). When he goes to his room, a large rock is thrown through the window, with a message of welcome from the violent ward.
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