The Producers (Movie-Only Edition)

Starring:Frank Campanella, Madelyn Cates, Josip Elic, Christopher Hewett, William Hickey, Anne Ives, Kenneth Mars, Barney Martin, Lee Meredith, Zero Mostel, David Patch, Brutus Peck, Shimen Ruskin, Dick Shawn, RenÃ©e Taylor, AndrÃ©as Voutsinas, Gene Wilder, Estelle Winwood, John Zoller
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
Mel Brooks's directorial debut remains both a career high point and a classic show business farce. Hinging on a crafty plot premise, which in turn unleashes a joyously insane onstage spoof, The Producers is powered by a clutch of over-the-top performances, capped by the odd couple pairing of the late Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, making his screen debut.

Mostel is Max Bialystock, a gone-to-seed Broadway producer who spends his days wheedling checks from his "investors," elderly women for whom Bialystock is only too willing to provide company. When wide-eyed auditor Leo Bloom (Wilder) comes to check the books, he unwittingly inspires the wild-eyed Max to hatch a sure-fire plan: sell 25,000 percent of his next show, produce a deliberate flop, then abscond with the proceeds. Unfortunately for the producers (but fortunately for us), their candidate for failure is Springtime for Hitler, a Brooksian conceit that envisions what Goebbels might have accomplished with a little help from Busby Berkeley.

Amazon.com

The trend is to convert movies into stage musicals, but The Producers goes a step further: making a feature film of the smash-hit stage musical that was adapted from the 1968 film. The chief drawing card, of course, is Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick reprising their roles from the stage. Lane plays Max Bialystock, a legendary Broadway producer who hasn't had a hit show in a long time. Enter nebbish accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick), who tells Bialystock he could actually make more money with a flop than a hit. So the two set out to produce the worst Broadway musical of all time, one guaranteed to close on opening night, with the collaboration of an outrageous cast of characters: Will Ferrell as sieg heil-ing author Franz Liebkind, Uma Thurman as Swedish bombshell Ulla, Gary Beach as director Roger De Bris, and Roger Bart as his assistant, Carmen Ghia, among others.

As directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman (who did the same honors on Broadway) and co-written by Mel Brooks, The Producers is laugh-out-loud funny. It's also a relentlessly over-the-top, shamelessly bawdy, stereotype-ridden comedy that may turn off its audience just as much as its centerpiece, Springtime for Hitler, was intended to. But Broadway fans who are used to larger-than-life figures who play to the back row while showering the first row with spit, are likely to forgive and just enjoy the famous granny-walker dance, a supporting cast dotted with Broadway performers (playing a taxi driver is Brad Oscar, who originated the role of Liebkind on Broadway then later played Bialystock), or the mere spectacle of seeing Lane and Broderick memorializing the performances that millions never got a ticket to see. (For maximum laughs, stick around through the closing credits.) --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

A stroke . . . . . OF GENIUS!!!!.......2007-04-28

First time I watched the movie, I thought, "What in the world was I thinking???". The next time I watched it was with my teenager (son) who doesn't like ANY musical. Big surprise -- he was totally captivated by the subtle (and not so subtle) humor and unbelievable comedic timing between Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. Finally bought a copy on DVD for our home collection -- we think it's a HOOT!

Should have been better........2007-04-07

OK... really 2.5 stars, but that is not possible. It dropped to 2 because it really struggled to earn the .5 mark.

I typically don't care for "remakes" and because the original is one of my favorite Mel Brooks films, I resisted seeing this until I had the opportunity to purchase a copy for under a dollar. For that price, I reasoned, it would make a good companion piece to the original. It does... almost.

The directing is, at best, pedestrian. Most of the time I felt as if I were watching a play that had been filmed. Maybe that's what was intended. If you like that directing style then you'll not find a problem. I don't. I expect movies to have better direction and more camera movement/angles... even movies based on plays/musicals.

Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom was simply terrible! His performance was wooden, stilted, and only passable in the very few times he appeared to be attempting to channel Gene Wilder. Maybe this is acceptable for a Broadway play but NOT for a film. Broderick CAN do better. I've seen it.

Nathan Lane as Max Bialystock almost made up for the poor performance from Broderick. In fact he was the main reason I made it all the way through the film! While he is no Zero Mostel, his was the best performance in the film.

I normally don't like Will Ferrell at all. However, here he did a good job as Franz Liebken. His performance was almost as good as that of Kenneth Mars in the original. The only problem was almost every time he was on the screen, so too were the awful animatronic pigeons supplied by Jim Henson company. They were so distractingly bad as to prevent full enjoyment of any scene in which they were to be found!

Uma Thurmon was a suprise. Very nice performance.

While I did miss Dick Shawn as hippie-freak Lorenzo S. Dubois, the updated take on the director, Roger De Bris, taking over the lead after Franz had broken his leg was done well enough that it really was a minor blip on the radar. Overall an excellent change and good update for the times.

There were several scenes I really missed. Most notably the one where Leo and Max had gone to the corner bar to celebrate their failure when in comes the crowd raving about how funny it all was and how they can't wait for the second act! In the remake, the very redundant, very long, very boring musical number in the cell where Max recounts the ENTIRE play could have been dropped to allow this scene (and others) to remain. At least most of it is on the deleted scenes portion of the release. This leads to perhaps the most glaring problem. The making of this script into a musical. The musical numbers were too frequent and too long causing the timing of the plot to suffer making for a longer production than necessary.

As in the original, the play-within-a-play "Springtime for Hitler" steals the show! While Mel Brooks was not on-screen this time as one of the Nazis delivering a one-liner, he *did* do the voice for the line!

Overall this *is* a funny film with several laugh-out-loud moments! It's Mel Brooks after all... The problem is that the directing and one very bad performance almost kill the funny.

If you are looking for a fair reproduction of the Broadway Musical, I get the impression that you'll get exactly that with this film even though several musical numbers were cut.

If you are looking for Mel Brooks... I encorage you to pick up the original. It's a superiour film in almost every respect.

And if you are one of those who stops a film (or leaves the theatre) as soon as the credits roll... don't this time and you'll be rewarded.

Terrific!!.......2007-03-09

We saw this show on Broadway and loved it. The movie was just as good or better. I don't know why the critics were lukewarm about it . Maybe they had issues with the gay humor. My whole family and I laughed until we ached. Mel Brooks is the funniest man on earth. Th cast was brilliant and it was hilarious, sad, poignent and full of life. Long live Mel Brooks!!

An Enjoyable Film for Me.......2007-03-08

I saw this film on the rental rack and figured I would give it a try. I'm not sorry that I did as I found it to be really funny. I was able to follow the plotline really easily and I laughed at just about every scene in the movie. I also liked the fact that there were no swear words in the movie that I could recall, and while there are several refences, there weren't any actual sex scenes, which as a nice change to me.
I didn't know that this was a remake of a movie from the 1960's, nor that it was a play on Broadway, but why should anyone be surprised? After all, it seems that half the movies they come out with nowadays, are remakes of some movie put out in the 50's or 60's. I am not one who cares whether or not something is a remake; if a plot appeals to me, like this one did, then I will watch it, regardless.
Several other reviewrs have pointed out that this wasn't as good as the original, but you know what; so what? Seriously. The origianl was put out, what, almost fourty years ago? I wasn't around then, and truth be told, if I were to sit and watch the original version of this film, I probably wouldn't really understand several of the refrences or the black humor that version supposedly has.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and am planning to buy it as soon as I can. Don't let those reviewers who said this wasn't as good as the original deter you from making up your mind one way or the other on whether or not you should watch it. I know I didn't, but rented it and watched it and THEN read the reviews on Amazon. And am glad that I did it that way.

How Did They Wreck This Movie??? .......2007-02-12

It's amazing....you have the musical hit of the decade to convert to the screen. So what do you do? You ditch the hilarious opening number (King of Broadway) that sets the stage and mood for the show; expand a much-too-long and exasperating sequence of the basic premise: "you can make more money with a flop than with a hit." Then, to make sure you fail, you miscast the role of Ula, leaving the lovely Cady Hoffman sitting at home while Uma Thurman does her best (which is not even near as good as it could be). Wrecked the show enough? No, not quite. Bring in Will Ferrell who does a great job of being Will Ferrell, and all the things that made "The Producers" such a hit have vanished...well, not quite. Once the movie hits its stride, it captures much of the magic of the original, but by then, who cares? The first 25 percent of the flick is awful, even with the incredible talents of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. I found the early parts of the movie to be an enormous disappointmemt, but still a good record of this hilarious show. I'm glad they filmed it. I enjoyed the last two-thirds of the movie, but by then I was so furious that it was difficult. It took real talent to screw up this funny, funny show!

Average customer rating:

The Producers
THE PRODUCERS
A classic comedy
REALLY FUNNY WILDER AND MOSTEL ARE HILARIOUS!
five star comedy

The Producers (Deluxe Edition)
Starring: Frank Campanella , Madelyn Cates , Josip Elic , Christopher Hewett , and William Hickey
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

The Producers (Widescreen Edition)
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Spaceballs

ASIN: B000BMY2LU
Release Date: 2005-12-13

Amazon.com essential video

Mel Brooks's directorial debut remains both a career high point and a classic show business farce. Hinging on a crafty plot premise, which in turn unleashes a joyously insane onstage spoof, The Producers is powered by a clutch of over-the-top performances, capped by the odd couple pairing of the late Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, making his screen debut.

Mostel is Max Bialystock, a gone-to-seed Broadway producer who spends his days wheedling checks from his "investors," elderly women for whom Bialystock is only too willing to provide company. When wide-eyed auditor Leo Bloom (Wilder) comes to check the books, he unwittingly inspires the wild-eyed Max to hatch a sure-fire plan: sell 25,000 percent of his next show, produce a deliberate flop, then abscond with the proceeds. Unfortunately for the producers (but fortunately for us), their candidate for failure is Springtime for Hitler, a Brooksian conceit that envisions what Goebbels might have accomplished with a little help from Busby Berkeley.

Truly startling during its original 1968 release, The Producers does show signs of age in some peripheral scenes that make merry at the expense of gays and women. But the show's nifty cast (notably including the late Dick Shawn as LSD, the space cadet that snags the musical's title role, and Kenneth Mars as the helmeted playwright) clicks throughout, and the sight of Mostel fleecing his marks is irresistibly funny. Add Wilder's literally hysterical Bloom, and it's easy to understand the film's exalted status among late-'60s comedies. --Sam Sutherland

Description

A "startling, stunning, outrageous [and] breathtaking debut" (Los Angeles Times) from acclaimed writer/director Mel Brooks (Young Frankenstein, Spaceballs), this Oscar®-winning* comedy combines "pure pell-Mel lunacy [and] wild, ad-lib energy [into an] uproariously funny" (Time) film! Low-rent Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and his high-strung accountant, Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), discover that, with the help of a few gullible investors, they can make more money on a flop than on a hit! Armed with the worst show ever written ("Springtime for Hitler") and an equally horrific cast, this double-dealing duo is banking on disaster. But when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise smash hit, they find themselves in the middleof a Broadway blitzkrieg! *1968: Original Screenplay

Customer Reviews:

The Producers.......2007-07-02

"The Producers" is a laugh riot, plain and simple. The inspired pairing of Mostel and Wilder creates the zany rapport that anchors the film. But wait, there's more, with side-splitting support from players Kenneth Mars, Dick Shawn, and Christopher Hewett. One of the best comedies ever, "The Producers" will leave you flabbergasted at Brooks's comic audacity--and howling for more.

THE PRODUCERS.......2007-06-02

I SAW THIS FILM 10 TIMES WHEN IT ORIGINALLY CAME OUT. ITS STILL ONE OF THE GREATEST.

A classic comedy.......2007-05-07

Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.

What more need be said.
Both men are in top form in this ingeneous send up by Mel Brooks.
Everyone should see this film.

REALLY FUNNY WILDER AND MOSTEL ARE HILARIOUS!.......2007-04-11

This Mel Brooks movie is right up there with "Young Frankenstein". Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel are hilarious together in this smart and funny comedy. The DVD transfer is good.

five star comedy.......2007-03-31

if you like mel brooks, (blazing saddles, young frankestein) you will enjoy his first film

Average customer rating:

Hard chair, dull teacher
Conscious Acts of Creation
Conscious Acts of Creation
Not fun, but educational
Significant Scientific Research!

Conscious Acts of Creation
Starring: Conscious Acts of Creation
Manufacturer: Associated Producers
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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What the Bleep!? - Down the Rabbit Hole (QUANTUM Three-Disc Special Edition)
Science and Spirit ¿ The Great Questions, Vol. 1 of Deep Deceptions by Miceal Ledwith featured in What The BLEEP Do We Know!?
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"Mastering the Art of Observation" Volume 1 of Your Immortal Brain, by Dr. Joe Dispenza featured in "What the BLEEP Do We Know!?"
Ramtha: Create Your Day - An Invitation To Open Your Mind from Mark Vicente, director of What The Bleep Do We Know!?

ASIN: B0001Y4M5E
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Customer Reviews:

Hard chair, dull teacher.......2007-05-08

This is essentially a videotaping of a college lecture (and I kid you not, using an overhead projector). He is talking about the power of intention (making carefully sure to distinguish that with wishing), and how some day we may use quantum physics to use our minds to change things in the physical world (not totally unlike telekinesis). In fact, there have been some experiments that actually caused hairs to bend or something of that import. Dull, boring, slow, this could be incredible subject matter, but the presentation quality is hideous.

Conscious Acts of Creation.......2007-04-02

Enjoyed Dr. Tiller in What the Bleep? however, this is a video taping of a lecture he gave where he uses an overhead projector. The production qualities were sooooo poor and information presented so slowly and drawn out that I couldn't watch the whole show.

Very dissappointing. Get What the Bleep, Down the Rabbit Hole instead and you'll get the same info in a much more enjoyable and understandable presentation.

Conscious Acts of Creation.......2007-02-07

I would suggest you do not buy this DVD. Its production is so flawed you can't view 80% of it as the lighting is so bright. You can not read any of the formulas from the white board that he is discussing so it makes it almost impossible to follow. And I would like to see how he stacks up in dialogue with his peers. Completely different approach and feel to Bohm. This DVD appears to be a copy of a very bad copy.

Not fun, but educational.......2007-01-14

I watched "The Conscious Acts Of Creation - The emergence of a new physics" by Dr. William A. Tiller, Phd, one of the guys on the What the Bleep and the Down the Rabbit hole movies. To those who say the science of concentrated intentions with emotion not doing anything - they have 3 boring experiments, such as using yogis to change the ph of water, or make fruit flys grow faster, etc. The amazing thing is - they had to keep the control samples in faraday cages - if they did not, the (eg) ph would change on both samples - as if the 2 samples were lnked! Lots of boring physics - and lots of subjective thinking - but, all in all, it does give lots of science to the topics covered in "What the Bleep", the "Secret", religions, and conditoning one's mind. Not a funny movie or a fun one, it's a lecture that is boring but shows what we always suspected - at least leads us to what we already kind of knew!

Significant Scientific Research!.......2007-01-14

The above reviews do not give this presentation justice. If you are looking to be entertained, get 'What the Bleep' which presents tidbits of scientific research in a fun way. But, if you are a skeptic and prone to criticize any research regarding the power of the mind/psychic phenomena, then get this dvd. Dr. Tiller takes the viewer through the details of the controlled experiments proving that the mind can indeed affect physical objects, even living beings, to a highly mathematically significant degree.

No, it's not terribly entertaining. That is irrelevant. What is important about this presentation is that a reputable scientist is presenting genuine scientific and mathematical data on a subject that has been difficult to quantify and prove.

This is a highly important work and I recommend it for any skeptics with a background in math and science.

Cheeky! (Producers Cut, Unrated, English Version)

Average customer rating:

Venetians head to London!
Very nice and scenic movie
Grab some Cheek
Excellent Erotic Tails,,,,
So So

Cheeky! (Producers Cut, Unrated, English Version)
Director: Tinto Brass
Manufacturer: Cult Epics
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000F0UUD2
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Description

Cheeky! (Producer's Cut - English Version)

Will you be able to deal with the sexy hilarity as Carla (Yuliya Mayarchuk) visits London? She's a big hit with everyone - except for boyfriend Matteo, who seethes with jealousy. With her skimpy skirt conveniently blowing in the wind, Carla attracts the attention of one and all. As she is having adventures with her lesbian real-estate agent Moira and Moira's ex-husband Marion, Matteo jets over to put her in line. But finding himself surrounded by freelovers in Hyde Park who remind him of his own dalliances, he soon mends his ways.

Beautifully shot and featuring a head-banging soundtrack, Cheeky! is sure to have you glued to the screen. Cult Epics hereby presents the English Producer's Cut.

Customer Reviews:

Venetians head to London!.......2007-06-11

Have you ever bought a DVD that delivered EXACTLY what you were expecting? It's a good feeling, huh? Well, that's what CHEEKY did for me. I bought it for a surplus of nudity, and that's what I got! In addition, the movie is also a lot of fun and has some comical scenes in it.

Yuliya Mayarchuk is absolutely stunning as the main character (Carla). She travels from Italy to London where she plans to wait for her boyfriend to arrive. Along the way, some mis-understandings lead to a thrill ride of sexual mis-adventures. Mayarchuk is nude thru most of the movie, which is just fine w/me. Sometimes there's no particular reason for her to be naked, but she is anyway. That's just fine w/me too! She is absolutely adorable.

In this day & age when it seems like the whole world is falling apart, DVDs like CHEEKY are extra-important as they form an avenue of escapism. If you want a movie that is full of mindless fun and lots of gorgeous naked women, then this one should be at the top of your wishlist!

Very nice and scenic movie.......2007-05-30

There is a lot to this movie to enjoy. The women are lovely, the scenes are well done, and it is a very enjoyable movie to watch with your partner. We watched it through twice in the first week, and we really had fun with it each time. The women are lovely, and the scenes are great. Enjoy!

Grab some Cheek.......2007-05-16

If your looking for sexual adventure, look no further. This even has a story line.

Excellent Erotic Tails,,,,.......2007-05-15

This is EASILY Tinto Brass' best movie. It looks the best. The transfer is excellent. Plus the lead star is breath taking. Lots of nudity and lots of eroticism. You can't miss with this.

So So .......2007-05-15

This isn't the greatest movie. Alot of hotties but the action is pretty tame.

Average customer rating:

A stroke . . . . . OF GENIUS!!!!
Should have been better.
Terrific!!
An Enjoyable Film for Me
How Did They Wreck This Movie???

The Producers
Starring: Nathan Lane , Matthew Broderick , Uma Thurman , Will Ferrell , and Gary Beach
Director: Susan Stroman
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Release Date: 2006-05-16

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A stroke . . . . . OF GENIUS!!!!.......2007-04-28

Should have been better........2007-04-07

Terrific!!.......2007-03-09

An Enjoyable Film for Me.......2007-03-08

How Did They Wreck This Movie??? .......2007-02-12

Average customer rating:

The Producers
THE PRODUCERS
A classic comedy
REALLY FUNNY WILDER AND MOSTEL ARE HILARIOUS!
five star comedy

The Producers (Movie-Only Edition)
Starring: Frank Campanella , Madelyn Cates , Josip Elic , Christopher Hewett , and William Hickey
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Farce | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Producers (Widescreen Edition)
Young Frankenstein
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Spaceballs

ASIN: B0000CBY1B
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Amazon.com essential video

Mostel is Max Bialystock, a gone-to-seed Broadway producer who spends his days wheedling checks from his "investors," elderly women for whom Bialystock is only too willing to provide company. When wide-eyed auditor Leo Bloom (Wilder) comes to check the books, he unwittingly inspires the wild-eyed Max to hatch a sure-fire plan: sell 25,000 percent of his next show, produce a deliberate flop, then abscond with the proceeds. Unfortunately for the producers (but fortunately for us), their candidate for failure is Springtime for Hitler, a Brooksian conceit that envisions what Goebbels might have accomplished with a little help from Busby Berkeley.

Description

A "startling, stunning, outrageous [and] breathtaking debut" (Los Angeles Times) from acclaimed writer/director Mel Brooks (Young Frankenstein, Spaceballs), this Oscar(r)-winning* comedy combines "pure pell-Mel lunacy [and] wild, ad-lib energy [into an] uproariously funny" (Time) film! Low-rent Broadway producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and his high-strung accountant, Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), discover that, with the help of a few gullible investors, they can make more money on a flop than on a hit! Armed with the worst show ever written ("Springtime for Hitler") and an equally horrific cast, this double-dealing duo is banking on disaster. But when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise smash hit, they find themselves in the middleof a Broadway blitzkrieg! *1968: Original Screenplay

Customer Reviews:

The Producers.......2007-07-02

THE PRODUCERS.......2007-06-02

I SAW THIS FILM 10 TIMES WHEN IT ORIGINALLY CAME OUT. ITS STILL ONE OF THE GREATEST.

A classic comedy.......2007-05-07

Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.

What more need be said.
Both men are in top form in this ingeneous send up by Mel Brooks.
Everyone should see this film.

REALLY FUNNY WILDER AND MOSTEL ARE HILARIOUS!.......2007-04-11

This Mel Brooks movie is right up there with "Young Frankenstein". Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel are hilarious together in this smart and funny comedy. The DVD transfer is good.

five star comedy.......2007-03-31

if you like mel brooks, (blazing saddles, young frankestein) you will enjoy his first film

Recording "The Producers" - A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks

Average customer rating:

"The Producers" - A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks
Revealing Secrets
Mighty!
Not Too Insightful, But Interesting
Simply Amazing !

Recording "The Producers" - A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks
Starring: Mel Brooks , Susan Stroman , Jeffry Denman , Matthew Broderick , and Naomi Kakuk
Director: Kathy Dougherty , and Susan Frömke
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005OCJO
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Amazon.com

If you've ever wanted to sit in on a recording session for a Broadway cast album--one that just happens to be one of the most successful in recent history-- you're in for a treat. Recording "The Producers": A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks follows creator Brooks, stars Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, and the rest of the company as they create the cast recording for the musical that won a record 12 Tony Awards and became the hottest ticket on Broadway in the spring of 2001. Brooks provides plot background and historical anecdotes between the 14 musical numbers that are excerpted, including "The King of Broadway," "I Wanna Be a Producer," "When You Got It, Flaunt It," and the inevitable "Springtime for Hitler." Watching this 85-minute documentary is no substitute for seeing the live show (or the 1968 film that inspired it), but it's an enlightening and entertaining companion to the CD. --David Horiuchi

Description

The exuberant atmosphere of the Broadway blockbuster is captured in "Recording The Producers: A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks," a new 85-minute film from the Emmy Award-winning director Susan Froemke and Maysles Films. The documentary candidly captures the excitement of translating the show into a complete experience for the recording's audience.

Customer Reviews:

"The Producers" - A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks.......2007-03-08

A great backstage look at the music behind the play. Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane have great voices that become evident with this recording.
The entire cast blasts one song after another with gusto!
A must have for any Mel Brooks/Nathan Lane fan!

Revealing Secrets.......2007-03-03

This is a disk I bought because I am about to see a Spanish-language of the show in Mexico City and I wanted to hear how it sounded in English first. Seeing how what I suppose is the "original cast" recording is fascinating. At least it was to me. I have seen the original firm. What I would like is to see the Broadway musical on DVD.

Mighty!.......2006-11-21

Even if you're not a Producers fan, you can't miss this DVD. It's a must for the Broadway enthusiast!

Not Too Insightful, But Interesting.......2006-08-11

This is sort of a documentary on the recording of the original cast album of THE PRODUCERS. It's also a chance for Mel Brooks to talk...and talk...and talk.

Recording cast albums (or any other album, for that matter) is a grueling, exacting job, and certainly not entertaining to the casual observer. Nothing is ever accomplished in one take; someone always screws up a note somewhere. But you'd never know it from documentaries like this. (I recall one on the making of Sinatra's L.A. IS MY LADY album that showed an aborted first take, a brief discussion about this or that fine point, and then miraculously a second and final, perfect take. I don't think so!)

But on the other hand, it's wonderful to see Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick out of character and just being themselves. (Of course, Nathan Lane IS a character, so the curtain never comes down when he's got an audience.) And it IS informative.

Carping aside, I enjoyed it. Will I watch it again? Maybe, several years down the line.

Simply Amazing !.......2006-05-13

If you've ever wondered what the making of a classic Broadway soundtrack looks like - - look no further !

Though by no means an exhaustive "behind the scenes" documentary, purchase of this DVD will let you see what the great cast recording (that if you're like me) you've listened to over and over actually looked like. - - Its kind of funny, because when you listen to the cast recording you probably imagine the actors on a stage - - not out of costume in a studio (which obviously they are!) - - and if you're like me, you might even get a kick seeing some of the actors in their civilian clothes - - and the contrast and simililarities between their roles and real personalities, which at times is hillarious. For example, Nathan Lane clearly *is* the flamboyant Max Bialystock... very dramatic off stage. Broderick in contrast is a hipper but comparably introverted Leo Bloom, whereas Candy Huffman and ULLA quite clearly are very different people... and its really funny to see her going in and out of the role.

Mel Brooks' (surrounded by his admiring creative team) narrarates, explaining the story of the Producers and bantering back and forth with anyone he can engage - - and even singing too.

Back to back music, this is a delightful watch over and over view. - - I made the mistake of getting it on VIDEO at the St. James to save $10, but now I realize it was a mistake because the tape ain't gonna last as much as I watch it... Go DVD !

Average customer rating:

The Producers
THE PRODUCERS
A classic comedy
REALLY FUNNY WILDER AND MOSTEL ARE HILARIOUS!
five star comedy

The Producers (Special Edition)
Starring: Frank Campanella , Madelyn Cates , Josip Elic , Christopher Hewett , and William Hickey
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Farce | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Producers (Widescreen Edition)
Young Frankenstein
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
The Mel Brooks Collection (Blazing Saddles / Young Frankenstein / Silent Movie / Robin Hood: Men in Tights / To Be or Not to Be / History of the World, Part 1 / The Twelve Chairs / High Anxiety)
Spaceballs

ASIN: B00005JK45
Release Date: 2002-12-03

Amazon.com essential video

Mostel is Max Bialystock, a gone-to-seed Broadway producer who spends his days wheedling checks from his "investors," elderly women for whom Bialystock is only too willing to provide company. When wide-eyed auditor Leo Bloom (Wilder) comes to check the books, he unwittingly inspires the wild-eyed Max to hatch a sure-fire plan: sell 25,000 percent of his next show, produce a deliberate flop, then abscond with the proceeds. Unfortunately for the producers (but fortunately for us), their candidate for failure is Springtime for Hitler, a Brooksian conceit that envisions what Goebbels might have accomplished with a little help from Busby Berkeley.

Customer Reviews:

The Producers.......2007-07-02

THE PRODUCERS.......2007-06-02

I SAW THIS FILM 10 TIMES WHEN IT ORIGINALLY CAME OUT. ITS STILL ONE OF THE GREATEST.

A classic comedy.......2007-05-07

Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.

What more need be said.
Both men are in top form in this ingeneous send up by Mel Brooks.
Everyone should see this film.

REALLY FUNNY WILDER AND MOSTEL ARE HILARIOUS!.......2007-04-11

This Mel Brooks movie is right up there with "Young Frankenstein". Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel are hilarious together in this smart and funny comedy. The DVD transfer is good.

five star comedy.......2007-03-31

if you like mel brooks, (blazing saddles, young frankestein) you will enjoy his first film

Average customer rating:

Very entertaining, engaging inside Hollywood tale
Great Film for Movie History Buffs

Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul
Starring: Efrem Zimbalist Jr. , Neal Gabler , Rudy Behlmer , Vincent Sherman , and Shirley Jones
Director: Gregory Orr
Manufacturer: CustomFlix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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The Last Mogul: The Life and Times of Lew Wasserman
Biography - Louis B. Mayer (A&E DVD Archives)
Goldwyn - The Man and His Movies
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Hollywood (A&E DVD Archives)

ASIN: B000COF1QW
Release Date: 2006-07-13

Product Description

The epic documentary portrait of the pioneering film producer whose studio, Warner Bros., gave us such Hollywood classics as Little Caesar, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Rebel Without A Cause, My Fair Lady, Bonnie & Clyde and hundreds more. Hailed by reviewers as "one of the best films about a movie studio," Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the man whom Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, and Bugs Bunny called "boss". Produced by Jack Warner's grandson, Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker Gregory Orr, the film provides an insider's access to memories and material never before seen by the public. Included are rare photographs, home movies, Warner Bros. film clips and exclusive interviews that capture the life and times of a Hollywood legend.

Customer Reviews:

Very entertaining, engaging inside Hollywood tale.......2005-12-06

For the student of film history, or the newcomer to the world of early Hollywood, this engrossing portrait provides plenty of memorable material. The filmmaker is the grandson of the movie's subject, and the honor of profiling the man is well-balanced with an editorial eye. The archival material is great, and this is well worth seeing.

Great Film for Movie History Buffs.......2001-09-04

Not only is this a really informative piece that is entertaining and thoughtful, it is made by someone personally connected to the subject. This comes through, and really involves us in the story of the documentary. Movie history buffs should definitely check this one out.

ADD / ADHD Smart Solutions: Ways to Improve Your Child's Behavior

Average customer rating:

ADHD Smart Solutions Video Review
THOUGHT-PROVOKING!
Thought-provoking!

ADD / ADHD Smart Solutions: Ways to Improve Your Child's Behavior
Starring: Add , and Adhd-Smart
Manufacturer: Associated Producers, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

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Misunderstood Minds: Understanding Kids Who Struggle to Learn
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ASIN: B0002HS5GM
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Customer Reviews:

ADHD Smart Solutions Video Review.......2007-05-14

This was very informative. It gives a different perspective on how parents can seek an alternative route in helping their children with ADHD. I showed this video as part of a presentation for a drug/alcohol class. The presentation was to show how there are alternatives to helping children rather than having them take prescription drugs.
The audience that viewed this video with me liked the material that was presented. The film discusses three different families and that helps keep you interested. At times it seemed a little boring, but it gets the point across.

THOUGHT-PROVOKING!.......2003-11-04

This video delivers on many levels. It was a nice breath of fresh air to see that alternative methods are being proven successful against traditional medicine in the fight against ADD/ ADHD. I say this for today's children, who are all too often the real victims of society's obsession with prescription drugs, processed foods and artifical flavors. I am grateful to the producers of this film for helping return my little boys to the calm, fun-loving and respectful children they used to be.

Thought-provoking!.......2003-11-04

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