A conniving Broadway producer and his meek accountant plan to profit from charming wealthy old biddies to invest in an overbudget production, and then put on a sure-fire disaster, so nobody will ask for their money back — and what's more disastrous than a tasteless musical celebrating Adolf Hitler.
Acting
Zero Mostel's sweaty desperation meets Gene Wilder's nervous breakdown energy.
Writing
Brooks' debut screenplay — somehow makes Hitler jokes feel almost wholesome.
Direction
First-time director Brooks somehow keeps this tonal tightrope from snapping.
Director
Mel Brooks
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Brooks had to add the 'Springtime for Hitler' number late because the original play-within-a-film was deemed too boring to be believably bad.
Brooks consciously wrote this as a Jewish comedian's revenge: making Hitler ridiculous was, for him, the ultimate victory over fascism.
US
