I don’t think Blazing Saddles is terrible. It’s a very different but very funny and, yes, juvenile film.
I have watched YF once (probably twice in all) a couple of years after watching BS umpteen times. I have since watched BS several more times. YF is good, but not as good as people 'think' it is ("it's the 'classier' of the two"). However, compared to most comedy movies it's still way ahead.
I can confirm part of your theory. I'd choose Young Frankenstein over Blazing Saddles any day, but I'd never compare Blazing Saddles to the Three Stooges. I'd rather watch Blazing Saddles every day for the rest of my life than ever have to see anything by the Three Stooges ever again. I'd rather watch Robin Hood: Men in Tights every day than the Stooges. I wouldn't be happy about it, but I'd do it if I had to. The Producers is also great. Maybe it's not a coincidence that Gene Wilder is in all three.
Young Frankenstein. Watched both a few years ago and Blazing Saddles, to me, just doesn't hold up as well. There are some very, very funny bits, but some drag on for far too long. Young Frankenstein doesn't meander nearly as much. It's much tighter and better developed, in my opinion. To me, it seems like in Blazing Saddles they run out of ideas from time to time, and have to throw something totally random in for a laugh. It's fine occasionally, but it seems to happen a lot.
The biggest laugh i ever uttered was seeing Young Frankenstein in the theater. The uncredited scene with Gene Hackman as the blind monk is the greatest comic piece ever to grace the screen.
I experienced both films on their initial theatrical runs, and wish I could experience them fresh for the very first time through the lens of a teenager of the early-mid 1970's, the film larger than life vs. home theater viewing, Saturday night with friends after a week of HS, working 30 hours, and not knowing what comes next in the films.... Mel as the GOV, Harvey Korman, Dom DeLuise, Alex Karras, and Madeline added the extra-special spice to Blazing Saddles. Gene Hackman, Teri, Marty, Cloris, and Madeline added the extra-special spice to Young Frankenstein. Both great, and unique, As I posted prior, YF wins for me. For a Saturday night unwind on the big screen with pals, Blazing Saddles would nose out YF. YF wins out over subtle nuances that reveal themselves upon repeated viewings..... "A-B Normal..."
I voted for Blazing Saddles Young Frankenstein is a loving homage to the first horror films with a giant dollop of sometimes crude comedy built in. It's very funny and I like it a lot. Blazing Saddles is a western done like Mad magazine. I have never laughed more and I laugh just as much every time I watch the film.