May the Schwartz Be with You

Before I became The Cameraman in Clogs, I’d walk into a room, and someone would call out a line from the classic comedy Spaceballs, “May the Schwartz be with you.” 

The line followed me everywhere.

On sets. Sidewalks. Inside stores. Sometimes it was shouted from across the room. It was my punchline and my personal greeting, all rolled into one.

Then one day, I met the man who brought it to life, Mel Brooks.

I was shooting behind-the-scenes footage for the 2005 remake of The Producers. The interview took place in a quiet midtown office, steps from Broadway.

We weren’t sure what mood we’d find him in because his wife, actress Anne Bancroft, had recently passed away.

We rode the elevator up, knocked, and waited.

The door creaked open slowly.

No assistants. No security. No entourage.

Standing there alone was the unmistakable, mythical Mel Brooks himself.

In his raspy Brooklyn accent, he welcomed us. My producer and soundman introduced themselves.

My heart was hammering.

How would he react when he heard my name?

Would he laugh? Ignore it?

I stepped toward him, set my camera on the floor, and extended my hand. “Hi, I’m Jeff Schwartz.” My Queens accent unmistakable.

He looked straight at me, saying nothing.

Then he stepped closer.

Reaching out, he took my hand in both of his and held it tight.

Our eyes locked, like it was written into the script.

Several long seconds passed.

His hands slipped from mine. His gaze stayed.

Then, with perfect theatrical flair, he stepped back, bowed his head, raised his hands like a rabbi giving a blessing, and spoke in that oh-so-familiar voice.

“May the Schwartz be with youuuuuu.”

My jaw dropped. The biggest smile spread across my face.

From that day on, my name has never been the same.

The line I'd heard a thousand times finally carried the creator's blessing.