Wednesday 25 February 2009

Things What Are Great #9 - The Producers

In a nutshell:- Springtime for Hitler and Germany. Winter for Poland and France.

The Basics:- Mel Brooks' first feature and one of his finest. I have to say that Blazing Saddles has a dearer place in my affections (just about) because I've loved that film since I was a wee lad but I blogged about that a loooong time ago and I'm trying hard not to repeat myself (too much). Whereas Blazing Saddles is more of a sketch-based piece, this is very much a character piece about a failing producer and a hapless accountant who hatch a scheme to pocket the money raised for a play by putting the worst show in history...

Why’s It’s So Great Then?:- It’s that combination of great script combined with spot-on performances. Gene Wilder is touchingly hilarious as the shy, retiring Leo Bloom and it’s quite possibly his finest performance (second only to Jim in Blazing Saddles). Zero Mostel is blustering pompous whirlwind as Max Bialystock who veers just the right side of monstrous and manges to evoke pity for the state his got himself into rather than contempt. And it’s just very funny. The romancing of the old ladies, the author of the play, the auditioning of the Hitlers and the show itself, Springtime For Hitler all add up to one funny film.

Surely Some Of It Must Be Rubbish?:- Oddly enough, I wasn’t completely bowled over by it the first time I watched it. It was only on subsequent viewings that I found more and more I loved about it each time. I also went to see the musical version at the theatre and really enjoyed it – however, I don’t think it really translated back into film again (the version I saw had Nathan Lane and Lee Evans in it and Evans was a far better Leo Bloom than Matthew Broderick). So I’d avoid that version and stick with the original.

So We Should Seek Out This Thing Of Which You Speak?:- If you think that Mel Brooks is just that unfunny bloke who gave us Spaceballs and Robin Hood: Men in Tights then absolutely go and find this one. And then go and watch Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein and High Anxiety. And then stop before you get to Spaceballs and go no further...

8 comments:

Anna Russell said...

I'm the same as you - first time I saw The Producers, I just thought "that was ok". Watching it again made me realise how insanely clever it really is. It's definitely one of those ones that grows on you.

Belle said...

Mel Brooks is extremely clever. I adored Blazing Saddles. His wife was pretty talented too, might I add.

That Baldy Fella said...

Anna - Yep, Withnail and I was the same thing as well. Thought "Yeah, OK" the first time, now absolutely love it.

Belle - Blazing Saddles I loved for as long as I can remember and it's one of those films that I appreciated just as much as I got older and finally understood a lot of the jokes! Yeah, she was a pretty talented lady, I'll give you that.

Belle said...

Not that I'm paranoid or anything, but what did you mean by 'I loved Blazing Saddles for as long as I can remember..and as I got older etc...
Because if you were having a go at me (definitely not paranoid) I might have to track you down and smash you!
You weren't referring to the fact that I might have seen Blazing Saddles when it first came out were you?
I could hurt you...

That Baldy Fella said...

Nope, 'twas an innocent comment about my appreciation for it changing over the years - honest!

Hurt me, eh? Promises, promises...

Belle said...

I see you and Anna are getting married. Congratulations. Can I organise your stag party?

That Baldy Fella said...

She'll enjoy life in the harem along with the other wifelets. It'll be both fulfilling and rewarding for her. Plus the naked mud-wrestling with the other wives is always fun. What more could a woman ask for?

Belle said...

You need to spend some time with me Baldy.
I'll have you whipped into shape in no time at all.