A sure-fire flop becomes a Broadway hit, much to the chagrin of its producers.

Rating: 9/10 (18 August 2000)

Mel Brooks won an Academy Award for his screenplay of "The Producers" and deservedly so. This is just about the funniest movie ever made. Zero Mostel is brilliant as the failed producer, Max Bialystock, who is reduced to seducing little old ladies into investing in his productions. A very young Gene Wilder gives a great performance as the repressed accountant Leo Bloom who literally "blooms" under the tutelage of the exuberant Max. Leo is going over Max's books when he discovers that under the right circumstances, a producer could make more money with a flop than with a hit. The search is on for a sure-fire flop, and a script written by former Nazi soldier Franz Leibman (played to the hilt by Kenneth Mars)called "Springtime for Hitler" is chosen. The producers then hire the worst director, costumers, and actors. The auditions for Hitler are unbelievably funny, and Dick Shawn plays Hitler as a tripped-out leader without a clue. The opening musical number must be seen to be believed...tacky, overblown, satirical, hilarious. This movie is so right-on; the supporting cast, bit players, stars, all are in top form. I highly recommend this film!