Mel Brooks' original 1968 version of The Producers, about an unscrupulous theater producer actively trying to put on the worst show possible so he can "lose" money and bank all the investors' checks, only to have the whole farce blow up in his face, is at times quite clever and funny, but generally too shouty for my tastes. There's just so much loud zaniness I can take, and The Producer at times blows that particular gauge. Gene Wilder's quieter accountant is thus more my speed, and there's something quite joyful about his performance, the producer's con played out like a seduction, and its achievement a kind of post-coital contentment. And of course, there's some loopy fun to be had with the production of "Springtime for Hitler", bad taste reconfigured into a hilarious if accidental send-up of the Third Reich and its theatrical regalia. But some of the comedy is perhaps a bit broad, at least in the acting, by today's standards.
It took a long while to get going for me, just about when we finally see the play come to life. I once had the opportunity to see a large budget play in a theater district that lasted for just a week or so before being shuttered and I can unironically say that Springtime for Hitler was actually better, so there's that. Mel Brooks isn't exactly my brand of humor but I can appreciate what he's doing and it has its moments.
It was a pretty okay movie. You can tell it's Mel Brookes' early years. He was testing the waters of comedy. The song about Hitler is extremely catchy! The whole swooning of all the old women was kind of creepy.
I've never found Mel Brooks movies funny. Maybe I'm missing a funnybone or something but I can always see his jokes coming and they just fall flat for me. Too bad...so many people seem to love this movie.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 15 of 22
flaiky
"I picked the wrong play, the wrong director, the wrong cast...Where did I go right?!"moldypoldy
Wow, can't believe there's only negative comments. This is definitely one of Mel Brooks's best.StefanoEarnest
'Lorenzo! Lorenzo, baby! Lorenzo St. Dubois! But my friends call me LSD.'Kenneth McMahon
I swear Robin Williams based his entire act on Lorenzo.TalkingElvish
I'M WEARING A CARDBOARD BELT!mrjeffwright
"I want everything I've ever seen in the movies!"firewordsparkler
Amazing film. I loved the ending. Hilarious.Siskoid
Mel Brooks' original 1968 version of The Producers, about an unscrupulous theater producer actively trying to put on the worst show possible so he can "lose" money and bank all the investors' checks, only to have the whole farce blow up in his face, is at times quite clever and funny, but generally too shouty for my tastes. There's just so much loud zaniness I can take, and The Producer at times blows that particular gauge. Gene Wilder's quieter accountant is thus more my speed, and there's something quite joyful about his performance, the producer's con played out like a seduction, and its achievement a kind of post-coital contentment. And of course, there's some loopy fun to be had with the production of "Springtime for Hitler", bad taste reconfigured into a hilarious if accidental send-up of the Third Reich and its theatrical regalia. But some of the comedy is perhaps a bit broad, at least in the acting, by today's standards.MilenaFlaherty
I am not usually a Mel Brooks fan (though he is great in interviews) but I love this one unconditionally.The_Comatorium
i dont understand how nobody found hitler to be hysterical baby.DisneyStitch
It took a long while to get going for me, just about when we finally see the play come to life. I once had the opportunity to see a large budget play in a theater district that lasted for just a week or so before being shuttered and I can unironically say that Springtime for Hitler was actually better, so there's that. Mel Brooks isn't exactly my brand of humor but I can appreciate what he's doing and it has its moments.gama_jr
Amazing movie. Mel Brooks at his best!Typically Thomas
Hasn't aged welljtstoner1994
It was a pretty okay movie. You can tell it's Mel Brookes' early years. He was testing the waters of comedy. The song about Hitler is extremely catchy! The whole swooning of all the old women was kind of creepy.ClassicLady
I've never found Mel Brooks movies funny. Maybe I'm missing a funnybone or something but I can always see his jokes coming and they just fall flat for me. Too bad...so many people seem to love this movie.Showing items 1 – 15 of 22