10 Canned Sequels We Still Wish Would Be Made
1. History of the World Part II
When History of the World Part I was released in 1981, Mel Brooks was in his prime. After a string of comedy hits in the 1970s Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie and High Anxiety he turned his absurd comic style to world history. The result? Something of a Western Civ 101 class, Brooks style.
From the time of cave men through the Roman Empire, from the Spanish Inquisition to the French Revolution, History of the World Part I, not unlike the Monty Python films, was crammed full of sight gags, comic vignettes and hilarious musical numbers. At the films conclusion audiences were shown coming attractions, a look at what History of the World Part II would have in store. The previews included the absurd Hitler on Ice and the Hasidic sci-fi adventure Jews in Space. We will admit here and now that the title History of the World Part I was part of the joke. But the films success and the saterical, lampoonish comedy that Brooks was so famous for is ripe for a follow up. Perhaps segments featuring Columbus or set in Colonial America, or bits about the American Revolution or World War I would make for a funny film. And let's not forget Jews in Space. But Brooks, now 87, hasnt made a film since 1995s Dracula: Dead and Loving It. And its doubtful well see Brooks behind the camera again. But wouldn't it be nice, just one more time?