Ahhh, the genius that is Mel Brooks. As an unabashed fans of most of his films (I can't say all after seeing Dracula: Dead and Loving It), and especially that of his 1968 film, The Producers, the thought of turning it into a Broadway Musical was an inspired one. But, trying to find actors who could step into the shoes of Gene Wilder and the late, great Zero Mostel had to have felt like an impossible task. However, Brooks and director Susan Stroman did the impossible by casting Film and Stage darlings Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane as Leo Bloom and Max Bialystock, respectively. The duo took Broadway by storm and the musical of The Producers turned into a juggernaut, whose success has given Brooks the idea to try it again with Young Frankenstein. My only disappointment with the show as a whole was simply the fact that I never made it to the Big Apple to see it for myself.

Luckily I did make it to the local Dallas Summer Musicals to see a touring company production, which to date is the funniest musical I think I have ever seen. But even better, the decision was made to produce… well… The Producers, as a movie, of the musical, of the movie, and having Broderick and Lane reprise their roles. In light of the recent spate of film versions of popular musicals, it seemed like the perfect idea. However, for some reason it didn’t resonate with the average moviegoer the same way it did with theatergoers (which I'm sure was only a matter of taste, the latter having tons and the former having next to none).

As a matter of fact, it was in and out of theatres so fast I didn’t even have a chance to go see it myself. But again, fortune favors the patient and Universal opted to release it on DVD pretty quickly so I finally had my chance to see it a few days ago. My verdict? As an avid theatergoer and lover of Broadway Musicals, I have to say I was right about the lack of taste that hinders most moviegoers. The Producers was as laugh-out-loud funny as the stage production I saw was and absolutely as funny as the original 1968 non-musical version. Broderick and Lane tore up the screen with their performances and richly deserved Academy Award nominations they did not receive.

Before I go more into this particular version of The Producers, perhaps I should take a moment or two to reflect on the story therein. The film introduces us to Max Bialystock (Lane), a legendary Broadway producer whose run of success has hit rock bottom. He ends up being audited by a mousy accountant, Leo Bloom (Broderick), who hates his job but doesn’t have the courage to do anything else. During their meeting, Bloom makes a chance comment that gives Bialystock the idea of a lifetime. He bamboozles Bloom into teaming up with him to produce the worst Broadway Musical of all time, get multiple investors (older widows being his main target), and keep all the money after the show closes on opening night.

Their choice? Springtime for Hitler, written by nut-case Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell). To further guarantee it flops, they hire flamboyant cross-dressing director Roger de Bris (Gary Beach) and his assistant Carmen Ghia (Roger Bart) to helm the project. These characters do as much to steal the film as the stars themselves. They are also aided in their cause by Ulla (Uma Thurman), the beautiful Swedish woman they hire as their secretary. To tell you any more, would be a disservice to the movie.

The DVD includes several special features that also make this a must own (for me certainly). The first is a very detailed commentary by director Susan Stroman, who goes as far as to point out a lot of the in jokes in the film as well as most of the Broadway stars who show up in cameos. Speaking of cameos, one I was especially glad to catch was one by Brad Oscar, who originated the role of Liebkind on Broadway. I met Oscar several years ago when he was part of the cast of Jekyll & Hyde and (like all of the members of the cast for that show), he was extremely nice and a pleasure to talk to. There are also some outtakes and a few deleted scenes, the highlight of those being a look at the entire performance of Lane's 'The King of Broadway.' You'll also find a featurette that focuses on the scene for the song 'I Wanna Be a Producer.'

The Producers was as underrated as a movie as it was hailed as a Broadway Musical, deserving the same level of accolades it received on the Great White Way. Some people might not appreciate some of the bawdy humor, and might even be a little offended by the thought of a musical called Springtime for Hitler, but these are people who live lonely, sheltered lives and nobody should pay them any attention anyway. The movie is hands-down hysterical and I give it the highest recommendation.

Directed by: Susan Stroman
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell
Extras: Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Analysis of a Scene: "I Wanna Be a Producer", Feature Commentary with Director Susan Stroman
Specifications: Widescreen (2.40:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Universal
Release Date: 5/16/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (For Sexual Humor and References)
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We'll give The Producers an A.