Larry Wolff via Zoom Celebrate Tax Day with the film about the two biggest cheaters that ever produced a Broadway play, in a film that is vulgar, rude, outrageous, loud, crude, disjointed and extremely funny! Experience the first film that Mel Brooks wrote and directed as it shocked many critics and audiences. No one had ever made a film like this before. Two producers discover that if they oversell shares in a Broadway show and it is a flop, they can make a million dollars. To do so, they hire the worst director, a spaced-out actor to star, pick the worst script they can find, and stage a musical that covers itself in bad taste. How can a kitschy musical about Hitler in a “romp in Berchtesgaden” be a smashing success? You will discover the hysterical back story to this wonderfully funny 1967 film that led to a 2001 hit Broadway musical and a filmed remake in 2005. The film stars Zero Mostel (in his finest film performance), Gene Wilder (in his first co-starring role) and the outrageous Kenneth Mars (his first film role) in performances that have never been equaled! After the lecture, film highlights will be screened. 1:00-3:00 p.m. 1 Session Tuesday, April 15 Fee: $25 [A Zoom link will be sent to you prior to each session, typically on the day before your class and the morning of your class. If you have any questions or need help getting online, feel free to call us at 516-480-5733 and we’ll get right back to you with assistance.] ABOUT THE LECTURER Lawrence (Larry) Wolff began his appreciation of film at a young age and it has blossomed over time. His original interests concerned film comedians, gangsters and ghouls, but his love of film now includes classics of all genres. He presents a historical perspective on such different subjects as silent film icons, comedians, dramatic actors, and films from the 1920’s through the 1970’s. He has been The Grand Sheik (President)of the Long Island chapter of the Sons of the Desert (the Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society) for over ten years and is a contributor to the New York and national Abbott and Costello Fan Clubs.
