Simply the Bess

Madeline Kahn

I was watching some old Mel Brooks movies today, and it reminded me how much I absolutely love Madeline Kahn. She does a dead on impersonation of Marlene Dietrich in Blazing Saddles (to the point where, when I finally saw Stage Fright, the Hitchcock movie in which Dietrich actually sings, I was laughing at how perfect Kahn’s version is!), is everyone’s favorite horny Queen in History of the World: Part 1,  is the funniest stuck-up, jealous Mrs. White in Clue, and, of course, no one else could ever play a better Bride of Frankenstein. Her timing, her vocal choices, and her physical comedy all add up to make her one of my favorite comedians to watch. Even when she has a little part, she steals the scene, and I always eagerly await her return. Madeline Kahn, I salute you!