The Producers 1967 Review

Wilder, Mostel, Funny  Greatest Films #50

Mel Brooks' first feature length film was outrageous, loud, in your face and very funny.  It's on my top 50 of all time list not because it's a great work of art, (comedy is tough, not pretty and perhaps not purely ART  but I don't care).  It's on my list because it's a film I've watched over and over and over again and STILL find it clever, rude, funny and no one can top Mostel and Wilder who  were zapped by some comic genie to give some of their funniest moments on film EVER -I'll credit Mel Brooks for making it happen.

The Producers  still remains as politically incorrect as ever. Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder's first scenes together are beyond funny and ridiculous and brilliant.  They get away with the mugging because of perfect comic timing... . It's the story of a Broadway producer and an accountant who realize they can make more money with a Broadway flop then with a hit, and set up about to find the worst play ever written. They think they find it with Springtime for Hitler and choose an aging hippie, flower child (Dick Shawn's finest hour) to play a Musical Hitler. Zero raises money by showing little old ladies a good time.  Outrageous, clever, and full of memorable characters.   It got to DVD  finally because of the Broadway musical re-make, which was wonderful.  The new musical movie version I enjoyed as well and Nathan Lane does a fine homage to Zero... but the original is head and shoulders above them all.

# 50 on my personal 50 Greatest Films of all Time list.....Yes, I'll be going through my personal list of 50 Greatest films.   Some you'll agree with, some you'll go huh?  Discover the ones you haven't seen, make your comments whether you agree or disagree they are great films or not...

Love to hear YOUR viewpoints.  Thanks for the reads and comments.

The Producers 1967  Directed by  Mel Brooks