Question 1

How did Mel Brooks create the songs for 'The Producers' without being able to read music?

Accepted Answer

Mel Brooks cannot read music, so he hummed all the songs including 'Springtime for Hitler' and 'Prisoners of Love' into a tape recorder, and an expert transcribed them.

Question 2

What was Gene Wilder's real reason for leaving the first script reading of 'The Producers'?

Accepted Answer

Gene Wilder excused himself claiming a dentist appointment, but actually went to the unemployment office to collect a $55 check he desperately needed.

Question 3

Why did Mel Brooks want to make a comedy about Adolf Hitler?

Accepted Answer

Mel Brooks said one of his lifelong jobs was to make the world laugh at Hitler, using comedy as vengeance: 'The only real way I could get even with Hitler and company was to bring them down with laughter.'

Question 4

What was producer Joseph E. Levine's initial reaction to Gene Wilder's performance in 'The Producers'?

Accepted Answer

Producer Joseph E. Levine wanted to fire Gene Wilder after seeing footage, thinking he 'stunk,' and offered Mel Brooks $35,000 more to find someone better, but Brooks convinced him to keep Wilder.

Question 5

How did Mel Brooks respond when a woman called his movie 'vulgar' in an elevator?

Accepted Answer

After a woman told Mel Brooks his movie was vulgar, he replied: 'Lady, it rose below vulgarity.'

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The Producers

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