My Favorite Comedic Movie Clip of All Time

Thursday, July 22, 2010


If you've never seen Mel Brooks' The Producers, a word of advice - don't even mess with the 2005 remake. See the original 1968 version starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. The later version just does not compare. My favorite part was excluded from the 2005 film, perhaps because it touched upon the late 60s pop culture at the time.

I can't even come up with the right words to describe how much I love this scene. It's guaranteed to lift anyone's spirits. The first time I ever saw it, I thought I would split my gut right in two from laughing so hard. In this clip, producers Mostel and Wilder are auditioning to find an actor to play the lead in "Springtime for Hitler" without any luck. Dick Shawn is Lorenzo St. DuBois ("L.S.D., baby") and, thinking that he is auditioning for a groovy production called "Boomerang", gives an absolutely hysterical performance as a daisy loving hippie. Only Mel Brooks can write hilarious lyrics and a song that mimics the groovy sound of the time. And that dancing! Also the closing line that Mostel calls out in this clip is pure genius!

Dick Shawn also played Ethel Merman's party boy son (or nephew?) in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and he also went on to guest star on several TV sitcoms, including playing Jack Tripper's father on Three's Company.

And do you recognize the guy with the green paisley shirt? That's Christopher Hewett, who went to on to Mr. Belvedere fame.

Anyways, enough chattering...please behold the power of "Love Power"!

7 comments:

  1. I've never seen it! Do you believe it?

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  2. Love that scene. Odd how he died though...people thought he was acting!

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  3. OMG! The tomato soup can around his neck was hysterical!

    This was a hoot! Thanks!

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  4. "Sylvester!"

    "I'm comin' to get you Mama!" (sobbing). That still puts me on the floor after 38 years!

    Thanks for the clip - I didn't know his name nor The Producers; I may now have another Brooks classic to cherish.

    stay-at-home-dad

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  5. I can't believe I've never seen this either!

    I know Dick Shawn best for his appearance on an hysterical Magnum P.I. (Eddie Deezen plays his nephew) and as the cross-dresser with a heart of gold in Angel!

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  6. I'm so glad I've introduced some of you to this movie for the first time, and shared the laughs!

    The movie contained a few references to the current pop culture of the time. If I remember correctly I believe there's a scene where the producers' Swedish blonde secretary Ulla performs a go-go dance in white boots and a psychedelic dress for Gene Wilder. I definitely need to watch this film again soon!

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  7. Dick Shawn!!! He's celluloid GOLD!! Awesome clip!

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