The Producers (1968)

☆ ☆ ☆

The Producers (1968) – M. Brooks

Apparently shocking at the time of its release but sadly Mel Brooks’ comedy has lost its ability to shock…or perhaps I am unshockable at present.  But with the magic of the mind, you (or I) can imagine what it must have been like to be stunned by comedy making fun of Hitler (although Lubitsch’s To Be or Not To Be (1942) did take a very funny stab at the Nazis concurrently with WWII – later remade by Brooks himself).  The result isn’t laugh out loud funny, the way that Young Frankenstein or Blazing Saddles can be, but it has some charm, even if there are some dated jokes and sexism.  I watched this (for the first time) to commemorate Gene Wilder’s death – I salute him – he has a way with gestures and underplaying the comedy that contrasts well with Zero Mostel’s brasher moves.  They play the titular producers who determine that securing one million dollars in investments for a cheap Broadway play destined to flop on the first night will leave them sitting pretty and flying down to Rio.  Choosing “Springtime for Hitler” seems to be the perfect choice (acknowledged to be in bad taste) but alas the comedy plays well for the masses – and so much so that Brooks was able to create a Broadway show and then a movie remake in recent years.  There’s enough here to enjoy but I confess to being underwhelmed compared to my expectations.