A Nod to the Original
Most parodies make an effort to give the nod the original as a matter of respect. That’s why Brooks figured he should include the legendary Western actor John Wayne in the movie. And word has it that the two met by chance on the Warner Brothers lot.
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John told Mel that he heard about his movie. So Mel wrote a short bit for Wayne, but John actually declined the part, saying “Naw, I can’t do a movie like that, but I’ll be first in line to see it!”