The Producersis generally acknowledged to be one of the funniest films ever made. And forty-five years after its initial release it is still completely hilarious. It is now being released on Blu-ray for the first time, in a Collector’s Edition combo pack that includes plenty of special features.
The Producersis the film that got Mel Brooks’ film career off to a great start, and also really launched Gene Wilder’s career (before this he had done mainly stage and one film). It stars Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock, a man who was once a famous and successful Broadway producer, and who now is reduced to entertaining elderly women for cash for each project. (The opening scenes with two different old women are wonderful. The odd games he plays with the second demented old minx are deliciously ridiculous.)
Into this situation enters Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), whose arrival is hilarious. Bloom is a fearful, nervous, awkward accountant, and Gene Wilder is absolutely perfect as this man who doesn’t want anyone touching his blue blanket. Every time I watch this film Gene Wilder cracks me up when he says, “I’m having hysteria because I’m hysterical.”
Bloom realizes that under the right circumstances a producer could make more money with a flop than with a hit. So Max woos Leo into trying out this scheme. They then have to find the worst play ever, and they find “Springtime For Hitler,” written by a crazy, bird-loving Nazi. (“Not many people knew it, but the Fuhrer was a terrific dancer.”)
They hire the worst director they can find. And they also hire a secretary (played by the incredibly beautiful Lee Meredith). She can’t speak English or type, but she can sure dance.
The scene with the auditions for Adolf Hitler is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen, topped only by the play itself, with that great musical number, “Springtime For Hiter.” “Look out, here comes the master race.”
The Producerswas written and directed by Mel Books. It stars Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Dick Shawn, Andreas Voutsinas, Lee Meredith, and Kenneth Mars.
Of course, you probably already knew all that. As great as the film is, it is likely the special features that will interest folks in this Collector’s Edition.
Bonus Material
The main special feature in the Collector’s Edition is an hour-long documentary titled The Making Of The Producers. It features interviews with Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Lee Meredith (she still looks totally sexy, and recreates her dance), Andreas Voutsinas (he thought he’d never work again after this film), and Kenneth Mars (he slept in his costume to help with the character). There are also interviews with key crew members, including the composer, choreographer and production designer. Mel Brooks talks about how he first wanted Peter Sellers for the role of Bloom, and that Dustin Hoffman was originally going to be Franz (his getting cast in The Graduate prompted new auditions for the part, and that’s when they found Kenneth Mars). He also tells the anecdote of the first day of shooting, and how he went to get lunch for everyone and was stopped on his way back in. He also talks a bit about what he had to do in directing the actors, the different approaches he took with Zero and with Gene. Gene talks about how he acted certain scenes, particularly the blue blanket bit. Gene is particularly funny when talking about Kenneth Mars. Gene and Mel talk about how Gene wrote his courtroom speech. And of course there is a lot about the musical number (Mel explains how his voice came to be in the scene). Perhaps the most surprising element to this documentary is the interview with Paul Mazursky about seeing The Producers. This is a really good documentary, with lots of great anecdotes and information.
The bonus material also includes Mel And His Movies: The Producers (19 minutes), which features an interview with Mel Brooks. For the complete Mel And His Movies, check out The Incredible Mel Brooks: An Irresistible Collection Of Unhinged Comedy, which was released in November.
The bonus features include a deleted scene. It’s basically an extension of the scene where they plant the dynamite, and features another appearance by Bill Hickey as the Drunk. (This scene is three and a half minutes.)
There is also a short bit with Paul Mazursky reading the ad that Peter Sellers took out in Variety. The Sketch Gallery shows several sketches of sets for the film. The bonus features include the film’s trailer, as well as promotional spots for Mel Brooks: Make A Noise and The Incredible Mel Brooks: An Irresistible Collection Of Unhinged Comedy.
The Producers Collector’s Edition is scheduled to be released on July 2, 2013 through Shout! Factory.
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