The Producers

A sleazy producer conspires with his meek accountant to stage a flop play so that they can pocket the investments. And hilarity ensues...Not! Brooks made his film debut as director and writer with this lame comedy that inexplicably won a screenplay Oscar and is regarded as a classic. Although it is mercifully short, there is not a single chuckle-worthy moment in the entire film. The vaudevillian comedy is sophomoric and utterly unfunny. Everybody overacts embarrassingly. Ironically, the only good thing about this turkey is the "Springtime for Hitler" number that the audience is supposed to find atrocious.

This is a classic film with wonderful performances all around (although I didn't take to Dick Shawn's as much as the others). Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder were perfect casting as was Christopher Hewitt (later to be known as TV's "Mr. Belvedere"). What's even more impressive are the various elements of truth that are beneath the histerical if not obsurbed storyline. The current Broadway hit doesn't compete with this film. The performances are good on stage but not as wonderful as here. Due to long term business problems this film wasn't released for home video and cable until much later then it should have been. Outright broad comedy and silliness belong in our daily lives and this film offers them very well. EVERYONE should see this film!

Why this movie is brilliant and funny: 1-A hilarious Gene Wilder with his amazing freak-out moments. I think many actors copied his scenes from this film. 2-Excellent satire about hitler and nazis. Many lines from this film are recognizable and became a comedy standard. 3-Amazing performance by Dick Shaw as L. S. D and as the theatrical hitler. He is funny and subversive at the same time. 4-Great 1on1 scenes with the main actors, especially the ones which involve heavy physical acting. 5- It is intelligent filmmaking which shows how progressive and funny Mel Brooks was; and that was his first film... Just watch it, it's 1,5h and it's beautifully funny! 10/10.