A Move Review: The Producers

Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) was once a successful Broadway producer who is now down on his luck.  In order to continue to produce plays, he romances elderly women who then provide him the funds he needs.  An accountant shows up at his door to audit his books.  This accountant, Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), uncovers a $2,000 error in Max's books.  Max convinces Leo to over-look the discrepancy.

Thinking out loud, Leo comes up with an accounting scheme.  The scheme would have a producer selling more than a 100% share in a new play.  If the play flopped, the producer could keep the unused funds.  It would also be unlikely that a flop would face an audit.  If the play was a success, they wouldn't be able to pay out what the investors expected.   The result would be prison.  Max hears this and convinces the rather neurotic Leo to help implement this scheme.  They decide to produce the worst play ever, finding it a play called:  Springtime for Hitler.  Well, the results aren't what they expected.  Initially, the audience finds the play to be in very bad taste, but they soon warm up to it.  It turns out that this play will become a huge success.

I initially found myself very annoyed with the zany antics of Gene Wilder.  Over-the-top was my reaction.  The movie does find its stride in the later half of the movie when we see scenes from the play.  The scenes of Hitler are hysterical.

Would I say this is a must watch classic movie?  No.  It has its moments, but I think one has to wait too long to get there.