# I just watched "The Producers" for the first time. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 12, 2005, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018 "2005-06-12T23:44:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018/21 "2005-06-13T14:03:03Z")
Anne Bancroft’s obit mentions that she was the one with the idea to turn The Producers into a musical with Mel Brooks writing the songs. He was too keen on the idea, but did it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Alias](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@Alias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alias)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018/22 "2005-06-13T14:51:30Z")
One more: “You fat, fat, fatty, gimme those fat books!” ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018/23 "2005-06-13T15:30:32Z")
Oh my, I still can laugh my head off watching this, even after dozens of viewings. "Leo, I’m calling for help… …HELP!!!" ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018/24 "2005-06-13T16:17:07Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Actually, he had quite a nice role in "It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World ", made 5 years earlier. Similar character. So by “The Producers” he was already being typecast. > > “The Producers” also had Barney Martin as Goring. Morty Seinfeld as a (stage) Nazi is even funnier now. You’re right about Dick Shawn in IAMMMMW, though I don’t think it was that long before The Producers.And as long as we’re talking TV stars, how about: [ul] [li]A much slimmer Christopher Hewitt (“Mr. Belvedere”) as Roger DeBris[/li][li]Renee Taylor (Fran’s mom on “The Nanny”) as Eva Braun[/li][/ul] When I first saw this film, I seem to remember that the theater explosion happened differently. Inevery version I’ve seen since (including the DVD release), it goes straight from “THE QUICK FUSE!!” to the explosion. As I recall, it was the drunk from the bar (played by the great character actor William Hickey) who actually causes it by mistaking the detonator box for a shoeshine box. Anyone else remember this? And is it available anywhere? [ul] [li]“I’m not a madam, I’m a CONCIERGE!”[/li][li]“You shut up! You are the audience; I am the author. I outrank you!”[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018/25 "2005-06-13T16:17:43Z")
> [@want2know](#): > > And also the film that introduced us to the late, great Dick Shawn. 😕 Shawn was in several movies pre-_Producers_, including an absolutely amazing turn in **It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World** (still probably the best thing he’s ever done, apologies to L.S.D.). ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018/26 "2005-06-13T16:26:43Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > 😕 Shawn was in several movies pre-_Producers_, including an absolutely amazing turn in **It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World** (still probably the best thing he’s ever done, apologies to L.S.D.). Sorry! Perhaps I should have said, "introduced _me_ to Dick Shawn. :smack: Mea culpa, Mea culpa, Mea maxima culpa! ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018/27 "2005-06-13T18:50:42Z")
**ouryL** , it is against our policy and rules (to say nothing of likely illegal) to post the entire lyrics to a song. Please read the forum rules, the rules about copyright are the first one: [Forum Rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=286554). Our stance on copyrighted material holds true in all forums, but it’s especially important to follow in Cafe Society. You’ve been around enough to know better. In fact, you were scolded about this a few weeks ago, where you were deliberately trying to skirt copyright. I’m disappointed, and I’m taking the opportunity to whomp you in public with a custard pie, so that you’ll be an example for others. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018/28 "2005-06-13T20:33:09Z")
> [@want2know](#): > > When I first saw this film, I seem to remember that the theater explosion happened differently. Inevery version I’ve seen since (including the DVD release), it goes straight from “THE QUICK FUSE!!” to the explosion. As I recall, it was the drunk from the bar (played by the great character actor William Hickey) who actually causes it by mistaking the detonator box for a shoeshine box. Anyone else remember this? And is it available anywhere? I sorta recall that, too. No proof, but maybe you can feel validated now. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-the-producers-for-the-first-time/308018.md?page=1)