Spaceballs

Two uniformed figures stand inside a bright science-fiction spacecraft or control room. One wears a large glossy black helmet while white-clad crew members appear in the background.

In this wacky parody of the original Star Wars, Mel Brooks produces the kind of zany, out-of-film experience that gives his work its distinctively hilarious dimension. When the nefarious Dark Helmet hatches a plan to snatch Princess Vespa and steal her planet's air, space-bum-for-hire Lone Starr and his clueless sidekick fly to the rescue. Along the way, they meet Yogurt, who puts Lone Starr wise to the power of "The Schwartz." Can he master it in time to save the day?

No sci-fi franchise is safe from Brooks' ridicule here: his space princess has a distinctive conical hairdo and his version of C-3PO speaks with the voice of Joan Rivers. There is a Star Trek sight gag, a visit to the Planet of the Apes, and some understandable foreboding when John Hurt from Alien puts in an appearance. And the cheesiest bad guy? Pizza the Hutt, a mob boss with molten mozzarella for a face.

Part of our "Happy Birthday, Mel Brooks!" series. Courtesy: MGM/Swank Motion Pictures

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