High Anxiety
A psychiatrist with intense acrophobia (fear of heights) goes to work for a mental institution run by doctors who appear to be crazier than their patients, and have secrets that they are willing to commit murder to keep.
Critics Sentiment
Brooks sings High Anxiety in perfect Sinatra style to Kahn
Dr. Thorndyke arrives at LAX with odd encounters
The film jumps from a mediocre hotel arrival sequence (6.0) to the highly praised Psycho shower scene parody (7.8).
High Anxiety receives mixed but generally positive reviews as a Hitchcock parody that succeeds best in its specific homages and standout performances. The film peaks with Brooks' musical performance and Madeline Kahn's entrance, while suffering from uneven pacing and some misfired gags. Critics consistently praise the supporting cast, especially Cloris Leachman and Harvey Korman, though many feel Brooks should have cast someone else in the lead role.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 60
Mel Brooks
Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke
Madeline Kahn
Victoria Brisbane
Cloris Leachman
Nurse Charlotte Diesel
Harvey Korman
Dr. Charles Montague
Ron Carey
Brophy
Howard Morris
Professor Lilloman
Dick Van Patten
Dr. Philip Wentworth
Jack Riley
The Desk Clerk
Charlie Callas
Cocker Spaniel
Ron Clark
Zachary Cartwright III
Rudy De Luca
'Braces' - Killer
Barry Levinson
Dennis - Bellboy
Lee Delano
Norton
Albert Whitlock
Arthur Brisbane
Billy Sands
Customer
Richard Stahl
Dr. Baxter
Robin Menken
Cocktail Waitress
Darrell Zwerling
Dr. Eckhardt
Murphy Dunne
Piano Player
Al Hopson
Man Who is Shot
Crew
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