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The Producers (2005)

When I heard that Mel Brooks was going to be doing a musical version of The Producers for Broadway, I was very excited. Then I realized that I would have to commit highway robbery to get tickets, especially to the version starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. While I adore Villainy in other venues, breaking the law and, particularly, spending time outdoors waiting for people to rob is really not my cup of tea. So, imagine my excitement when I learned of the movie version of the musical starring Messers. Lane and Broderick.

Here’s the Short Story for those of you who have been under a rock since 1968: Max Bialystock is a Broadway producer with a line of failed plays behind him. Leo Bloom is an accountant who, while studying Mr. Bialystock’s books, realizes that a producer could make more money with a flop than with a hit. The idea is this, raise more money than you actually need to produce the show, then when the show closes on the first night, you don’t have to worry about paying back the investors. The two team up and try to find the worst play ever written. It turns out to be “Springtime for Hitler,” which they then turn into a musical with the help of Roger De Bris, a director known for extravagant shows with lots of chorusgirls. Mr. Bialystock raises the money by seducing little old ladies and hitting them up for cash. At first, the plan seems to have succeeded, but it turns out to be a huge comedic hit. Mr. Bialystock is caught and sent to jail, while Mr. Bloom escapes to Rio with their Swedish receptionist, Ulla. Eventually, guilt gets to Mr. Bloom and the two go off to prison together, but are pardoned by the Governor. Upon their release, they go on to produce more completely ridiculous plays and they all live happily ever after.

I have the original Broadway soundtrack and I can’t even say how many times I’ve seen the original movie, so I knew what was going to happen before even entering the theater. I still laughed my head off. I particularly enjoyed Mr. Lane’s performance. He was wonderful. If you see it, be sure to stay through the credits. Listen to the songs while you’re there and there’s a little piece at the end.

In a sense, watching this version of the movie was rather like attending the musical onstage itself. It could have just been the shots or the director, I’m not sure. And I’m not saying it was a bad thing, necessarily. Indeed, it gave all of those people, myself included, who didn’t get the opportunity to see the Broadway production, a chance to see it in all its glory. Really, though, as much as I liked the movie, it just made me want to go get tickets to see the stage version.