The first movie that Mel Brooks directed was this uproarious backstage comedy, in which a conman producer (Zero Mostel) tempts a mild-mannered accountant to cooperate on a massive swindle, in the form of a guaranteed flop: a paean to Hitler by a mad former German soldier. Yet pitfalls await: Can they raise the money needed? And what happens when their leading man (Dick Shawn) and his stylized readings finally premiere? A fine start to a career with several standout films.

  Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.

Movie 358 for 2021.