Gene Wilder (1933-2016)

[Feego]

Blazing Saddles was the first rated R movie I ever saw.
I was 9. My grandfather took me.
I have no idea why it was rated R.

Children shouldn't know about farts until they're 18.

I'm not sure if this held true in 1974, but even by (or perhaps especially by) today's standards, the profuse racial slurs would be enough to warrant the R-rating.

[Roger Ryan]

Apparently, Brooks appealed to the MPAA to have the rating reduced to PG when the film was re-released in 1978, but there weren't enough votes on the board to do so. I agree that the film could still garner an R-rating today for the racial slurs alone; after all, Magic In The Moonlight received a PG-13 rating for period smoking!

[domino harvey]

Still not as good as the MPAA rating the Remains of the Day PG for "Themes." Not even adult themes, just themes

[flyonthewall2983]

On the other hand, 2001: A Space Odyssey has always gotten away with it's G rating.

[Feego]

On the other hand, 2001: A Space Odyssey has always gotten away with it's G rating.

This has really veered off the topic of our beloved Gene Wilder, so perhaps this should be moved to a more appropriate thread, but as far as I know a film will always carry its original rating regardless of changes in policies unless it is specifically re-submitted to the MPAA. That's why the original Planet of the Apes still carries a G rating, despite its violence, mild profanity, and the shocking sight of Charlton Heston's exposed derriere.