The Producers *** (2005, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach, Michael McKean, David Huddleston) – Classic Movie Review 4131

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick re-create their Broadway stage roles in director Susan Stroman’s entertaining 2005 movie of the hit Broadway and London stage show of the old Mel Brooks film classic, The Producers (1968).

Ideally cast Lane and Broderick relish their roles in nimble, fleet-footed, tuneful performances as down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock and the timid accountant Leo Bloom he teams up with in a get-rich-quick scheme to put on the world’s worst show in New York City in 1959.

Also in the cast are Will Ferrell as Franz Liebkind, Gary Beach, Michael McKean, David Huddleston as the Judge, Debra Monk, Andrea Martin, Jon Lovitz, Roger Bart and Eileen Essell.

As busty Swedish secretary Ulla, Thurman replaced Nicole Kidman, who had to pull out because of scheduling difficulties, after filming was delayed to accommodate Lane’s run as Bialystock on the stage in London’s West End.

David Huddleston died on 2 August 2016.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4131

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