MGM-THE PRODUCERS

While we’re eagerly awaiting the expected “BLAZING SADDLES: SPECIAL EDITION” to be released “sometime” by WARNER BROS, Mel Brooks fans will be thoroughly pleased with the newly released “THE PRODUCERS” from MGM.  After viewing it several times in just one week, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the best of his films so far. 

Zero Mostel is probably best known for his performance as Tevye in “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”, but his performance as Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, is at least as impressive, if not better! 

Max’s new accountant, Leo, casually mentions that a box-office failure could conceivably make money.  Max inquires further and the two hatch a scheme to grossly oversell gross-profit shares in a play doomed to fail.  It’s up to Max to use his “charm” to get old ladies to invest in his future play, and for Leo to find a guaranteed failure.  Their prayers are answered after finding “SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER” a musical love song to Adolf Hitler by a whaked out nazi.  The two are certain such an idea will not only anger critics and audiences but get the play to close by act two! 

To further reassure its failure, they search for the world’s worst director, and so on. 

Everything about this script is hilarious.  The actors are all terrific, and surprisingly, the music isn’t bad, just funny!  It’s impossible not to like and care about Max and Leo, they’re characters are so well written and performed that they actually endear themselves to the audience. 

“THE PRODUCERS” holds up well after repeated viewings, and we can’t recommend this title enough for any movie fan’s collection. 

MGM has presented “THE PRODUCERS” in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with 16:9 enhancement.  An open matte(full-frame) version is also included on the same disc. 

There is some minor grain, and colors appear a little restrained at times, but most scenes have a vibrant richness to them.  The contrast is excellent, offering deep blacks and grays.  There is no artifacting. 

A new Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is offered along with the option of the film’s original monaural soundtrack.  While there is little difference between the 5.1 mono in terms of surround effects, the 5.1 mix offers noticeably better fidelity. There is little in the way of ambient effects.