The Producers

 
After converting his first motion picture into a hit Broadway musical, Mel Brooks transports the story of two theatrical entrepreneurs back to the big screen in this musical comedy. So while this is another in a far too long a line of remakes, this sets itself apart in that, while it is rooted in the original 1968 picture, it is based on the Broadway smash that won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards.

Mel Brooks co-wrote the script for “The Producers” as well as produced it, and the capable Susan Stroman, who also directed the Broadway show, handles the directorial responsibilities; Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick also reprise their roles from the Broadway assembly. Therefore, "The Producers" is really the filmed documentation of a successful Broadway show.

Anybody that has seen the 1968 Non-Musical original will know that the story revolves around two characters, Producer Max Bialystock (here played by Nathan Lane) and accountant Leo Bloom (here Matthew Broderick), who devises a plan to make millions by putting on a play that does not succeed. Apparently, if someone raises financial capitol for a play and it is unsuccessful, the investment is lost. The ruse is to raise more money than it costs to produce the play, stage the play on a shoestring budget, then pocket the rest. They manage to locate a dreadful script (one, which both believe, is the most putrid of all-time) "Springtime For Hitler" a musical set in the Third Reich written by neo-Nazi Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell). They then cast a key role to a gorgeous blonde-haired woman (Uma Thurman) who only has a vague understanding of the English language, Bialystock and Bloom are certain they have the disaster they need for their plan to work. However, what they were not prepared for happens and "Springtime For Hitler" becomes an unanticipated hit.

The 1968 film won director Mel Brooks his only Academy Award (for Best Screenplay) and gave Gene Wilder (Leo Bloom in the original) his only nomination. Now while it is true that Mathew Broderick is no Gene Wilder his performance is very impressive. I was aware that Broderick has had extensive musical theater experience but his song and dance numbers in this movie are high points of the film that I must confess really took me by surprise. However, it is between the songs that, there is not much to laugh at. The gay jokes, the old woman jokes, Etc. Are tired and for this reason I am going to have to say that, Overall, I like the original film better than this one. Another disappointment was the cutting of the number ‘The King of Broadway‘, which I am told (as I have not seen the Broadway version) is one of the funniest numbers on the stage.

Overall, though this is an amusing movie, with no intent to be serious and no desire to be controversial, and to be truthful, in moments, it is just satisfying to see an old-fashioned film musical for a change.

Paul Elliott