Review of The Producers (1968) by Leif T — 17 Feb 2013

When it comes to classic Brooks, you can't get any better than The Producers. One of the most funny and complex scripts ever written by Brooks, and a classic among other comedy films.

We follow Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) who is a procucer going down, to the point of bankruptcy. When Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder) does the accounting for Max's latest flop, he notices that he raised 1000 dollars too much. He realizes if one were to raise thousands of dollars more, they could make more money with a flop than with a hit.

They find a play written by a Nazi, a gay director, and a hippie star. They choose everything wrong, but will it go their way, or will it go right?

Gene Wilder steals the show with his schizophrenic character, who often gets anxious and hysterical. Zero Mostel plays great as a money grubbing schmuck who never truly learns his lesson. But, I really love Dick Shawn as L.S.D. who nails the hippie style, but seems less mean spirited, and more in good humor.

Mel Brooks has always made great music, but I love it here especially. The Springtime For Hitler song is done very well, with some great audience reactions. There's also an ending song called Prisoners of Love that is very catchy. But I love L.S.D.'s song: Love Power, which parodies psychedelic songs so well it's almost scary.

Even though this is an older film, it's legacy lives on. Brooks turned it into a musical and it has been referenced many times. If you haven't seen it, you're definitely missing out.