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"Old" Frau Blucher Challenges Young Frankenstein
Did Mel Brooks deem Cloris Leachman too old for Young Frankenstein? Sources tell the New York Post that while Leachman was a riot when she reprised her role as Frau Blücher in a workshop of the coming Broadway musical, Brooks & Co. feared that, at 81, she wouldn't possess the stamina to do eight shows a week, so they gave SCTV's Andrea Martin the gig instead. Leachman is now literally fighting mad, challenging Brooks (who soon turns 81 himself) to "three rounds in the ring [to] see who's left standing," and has enlisted retired Variety icon Army Archerd to lobby Brooks to change his mind (not to mention avoid a potential lawsuit). Ageism anyone? — Reporting by Raven Snook
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Jun 13, 2007 1:14 PM
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I would never have guessed Cloris Leachman is turning 81. She's aged very well, and I'm sure she'd have the stamina to keep up with eight shows a week. I think it would be great to see her in that role again.
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Jun 13, 2007 1:28 PM
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There IS no other Frau Blücher. Brooks is nuts if he thinks she can't handle 8 shows/week. Just because he doesn't think he himself, at 81, could do it, doesn't mean that she couldn't. Cloris (rhymes with Dolores) is awesome! 
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Jun 13, 2007 1:46 PM
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Ageism in the entertainment business? Surely you jest MM.
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Jun 13, 2007 2:07 PM
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"Neigggghhhhh!" - Horse
It had to be done.
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Jun 13, 2007 2:31 PM
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"It could be worse."
Last one I promise.
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Jun 13, 2007 2:32 PM
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There! Wolf!
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Jun 13, 2007 2:36 PM
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I would totally watch that fight! Good night, Herr Doktor...
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Jun 13, 2007 2:37 PM
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If I know Cloris Leachman at all, she would be able to do it! If I know her at all, she would say she would rather die on stage doing YF than not have the opportunity! If I know Cloris at all, she would say, "Let Andrea be my understudy, and if I drop dead, drag me off and drag her on!"
That's what I think her attitude would be to all of this. I say give her the job, Mel!
DISCLAIMER: I don't really know Cloris Leachman.
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Jun 13, 2007 3:02 PM
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DISCLAIMER: I don't really know Cloris Leachman. ~TV Gord
LOL, it looks like TV Gord got the "Abby Normal" brain. 
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Jun 13, 2007 4:13 PM
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What was Mel Brooks smoking when he made that decision?!
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Jun 13, 2007 4:25 PM
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Andrea Martin is a Second City alum, and SCTV as well. As good as Cloris Leachman is, she's the movie version. Most stage shows get different actors. She'll do great.
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Jun 13, 2007 11:38 PM
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I am such a HUGE fan of the movie. We watch it every Halloween as we eat our monster eye balls and boiled brains and cheese - Cloris Leachman is so wonderful in the role. But I can really see Andrea Martin doing it too. As a director/producer/whatever - you make decisions for the good of project. It was probably a tough one.
Having said that, in a cage match, I'd put odds on Leachman!
"Then, I suggest you put on a tie!" Frau Blucher
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Jun 14, 2007 12:46 AM
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So I might as well weigh in on this, too. I LOVE Leachman and I LOVE Martin. And I agree, they could both be fabulous in the part. At this point, I doubt there's any way Leachman will get the role back. My issue though is that Brooks cast her in the reading and she seemed to think she was going to move on with the show until she got a letter from him stating otherwise. He may really have her health in mind. It's not like he cast a star to replace her (for, much as I adore Martin and respect her work, she's not the kind of performer who can attract the tourist crowd). But he probably should have thought about her age before he dangled the part in front of her.
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Jun 14, 2007 11:39 AM
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