Springtime for Hitler (song)
"Springtime for Hitler" is a song written and composed by Mel Brooks for his 1967 film The Producers.
In the original film, the 2001 musical, and 2005 film adaptation, the song is part of the stage musical titled Springtime for Hitler, which the two protagonists produce on Broadway. It was orchestrated by Philip J. Lang and staged by Alan Johnson for the former, with the latter productions orchestrated by Doug Besterman and staged by director Susan Stroman.
Comparison between 1967 film, 2001 musical, and 2005 film
In the 1967 film, 2001 stage musical, and 2005 film, the Bavarian interlude, Ziegfeld menagerie, and Busby Berkeley–styled swastika formation remain largely unchanged.The first major difference between the 1967 film and the stage musical and 2005 film concerned the character who played the part of Adolf Hitler and the circumstances of Springtime for Hitler's surprise success. In the 1967 film, by the time the song was over, the audience was ready to leave the theatre in disgust and horror, with Max and Leo, ecstatic their plan worked, retreating to a bar. But as the scene changes to reveal hippie actor Lorenzo St. Dubois aka 'L.S.D.' as Adolf Hitler, his wild improvisations prove to be an instant hit, leaving them in hysterical fits of laughter.
In the musical and 2005 film, the character L.S.D. was omitted and the plot was changed to have the character Roger De Bris, the show's director, play Adolf Hitler after the original actor, the playwright Franz Liebkind, "broke (his) leg". The character Ulla is now part of the cast as Marlene Dietrich and a Black Eagle, and Roger appears immediately after the dance break. He then sings a new section called "Heil Myself", followed by a reprise of the Bavarian interlude done in the style of Judy Garland. Most productions would follow this with a monologue of Hitler's rise to power. In others, it is followed by a satirical "Challenge Tap" dance with the Allied leaders of [World War II|Allied Leaders].
In the musical, "Springtime for Hitler" is directly presented to the musical audience, with the positive reception confirmed in the following scene in Max and Leo's office. In the 2005 film, the audience is shown preparing to leave in disgust, but returns to their seats laughing after Roger's flamboyant Adolf Hitler appears.