"I'm author. You are the audience. I outrank you!"

Rating: 9/10 (4 July 2009)

"Springtime for Hitler" is one of the funniest musical numbers ever filmed, right down to its spinning swastika choreography. That Mel Brooks, in his directorial debut, could hang a very funny movie on this song (to which, despite not being able to read music, he wrote music and lyrics, actually dubbing "Adolf's" baritone solo himself onto the soundtrack) is a testimony to Brooks' diabolical ability to get the "last laugh" on the author of the "final solution." Hitler himself would be spinning in his grave--IF he had one! My summary quote from the film comes from the "winner" of the "worst script" contest run by producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and accountant Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder) early in the story--namely, the Fuhrer-worshiping Franz Liebkind (Kenneth Mars). It might as well have been said by Brooks directly to his OWN producer, Joseph E. Levine, when the latter said SPRINGTIME FOR HlTLER would NEVER see the light of day!