High Anxiety is a 1977 comedy film produced and directed by Mel Brooks, who also plays the lead. This is Brooks' first film as a producer and first "speaking" lead role (his first lead role was in Silent Movie). Veteran Brooks ensemble members Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman and Madeline Kahn are also featured. The film is a parody of suspense films, most obviously the films directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Vertigo in particular. The movie was dedicated to Hitchcock, who sent Brooks a bottle of wine to show his appreciation. Brooks' character, Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke, arrives as new administrator of The Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous to discover some suspicious happenings. When he's framed for murder, Dr. Thorndyke must confront his own anxiety disorder, "high anxiety," in order to prove his innocence. The story begins at Los Angeles airport, where Thorndyke encounters several odd occurrences. He then leaves for the institute with his driver, Brophy. Upon his...