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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
All About Me! summary
Mel Brooks
My Remarkable Life in Show Business
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(9 ratings)
19 mins
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What is All About Me! about?
All About Me! (2021) recounts the show business career of iconic comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks. It’s infused with entertaining tales about his life behind the scenes, from his days as a young Broadway fan to his successful stint as an actor, director, and producer.
About the Author
Mel Brooks is a World War II veteran-turned-comedian. He is popularly known for multiple comedy hit films, including The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. With his invaluable contribution to the entertainment industry, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2016.
Table of Contents
Key idea 1 of 9
Brooklyn, the military, and comedy
Big dreams start in New York – and in Mel Brooks's case, big dreamers are born there too.
Born in 1926 and raised on the fifth floor of a tenement in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Mel had a tough time fitting in with the other kids on his street. For starters, he was a whole lot smaller than his peers, which made it challenging to form friendships. Luckily for Mel, he had a secret weapon up his sleeve: comedy. He realized it was the one thing that kept him in the company of the big kids. So whenever he saw the opportunity to get a laugh, he went for it – no matter the cost.
As Mel continued to refine his comedic chops, he also developed a love for show business. He spent every chance he had visiting nearby theaters. Every time he stepped foot inside, he found himself awestruck by the magic unfolding on the big screen.
However, it wasn’t until his Uncle Lee took him to a Broadway musical that Mel really began dreaming of getting into the entertainment industry. When he saw Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, he knew right then and there that show business was his calling. He was going to make his mark on the industry – and nothing could stand in his way.
The Butler Lodge in the Borscht Belt was Mel’s first stop on the road to fame and fortune as a comic. There, he was hired as a pool tummler to entertain the guests … and entertain them he did. He quickly became a star performer; the audience couldn't get enough of him. As he continued to perfect his skills in the Borscht Belt, no one doubted that Mel was well on his way to stardom.
But unfortunately, the world stage would have to wait. In 1944, Mel joined the Army to fight against Nazi Germany. His comedic genius wasn’t needed on the battlefield – but thankfully, when VE Day came, he was given the chance to join the Special Services and perform as a comic in front of his fellow servicemen. He was able to practice his craft again until he was discharged in 1946. Finally, he was ready to take the world by storm.
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Who should read All About Me!
- Anyone who wants to know more about Mel Brook’s career in show business
- Aspiring comedians and entertainers
- Show business and comedy enthusiasts
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