Superb debut by Mel Brooks

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2016)

Max Bialystock is a theatre producer. His fortunes are at a low when his accountant, Leo Bloom, discovers a loophole that should see things turn around: deliberately produce a flop!
Mel Brooks' debut as a movie director and writer, and what a debut it was! Set the tone for all his movies - great slapstick, over-the-top, but not silly comedy. Clever plot, intelligently directed. Possibly needs to be longer - you feel there is still a lot to be milked out of the idea, and a few more details would not drag on the movie.
Great performances all round. Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder are superb in the lead roles. Casting is spot-on.