Jews used to leave the hot, sweltering summer heat in New York City. Between the subway and the buildings, it was intolerable. They would find refuge in the Catskills, in these little mountain resorts. It was replete with thousands of Jews. Everywhere you went there were Jews in the mountains. I’m sure the deer would look at each other and say, ‘I’ve never seen so many Jews.’
—
Mel Brooks, in a new HBO special where he tells stories with Dick Cavett
Even though I only had a passing familiarity with half of the old-time comedians/directors/actors they discuss, the stories they tell about those people are flat-out amazing. If you have HBO, you gotta watch.
