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One of the finest black comedies ever, ‘The Producers’ takes us through a series of laugh riots as it shows that crime doesn’t pay. Mel Brooks’ Oscar winning screenplay traces the journey of an amoral bankrupt producer and a listless accountant as they plan to raise more money than they need and produce the biggest Broadway flop to escape to Brazil with the spoils.
The plot revolves around Max Bialystock, a down on his luck Broadway producer who charms old ladies in order to get money to produce plays. He meets an accountant, Leo Bloom who has been sent by the firm to do his books and comes up with a theoretical idea that you can make more money with a failed play than with a hit. Bialystock seizes that and together with Bloom, finds a play written by a Nazi supporter, called ‘Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden’, picks the most unsuccessful director on Broadway and the worst set of actors to play parts. Does their plan succeed is what the plot tries to uncover.
Mel Brook’s screenplay is outstanding for it says much without having to state the obvious. The placement of props, the zaniness of the dialogue and Bialystock’s scheming win over an initially reluctant Bloom are examples of sheer brilliance from a man who was directing his first film. He is the unseen hero of this film.
The fantastic Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock has you in splits. One of the most expressive actors you will come across, Mostel makes you feel sorry for a man who is about the dupe several hundred people and makes you want his scheme to become a success. Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom is very clearly the second lead as he ably supports Mostel in his plan.
This film is a must watch for anyone interested in a few laughs. You will get more than you bargained for.