Things You May Not Know About: The Producers

Because of the "Springtime For Hitler" musical number, the film was initially​ banned in Germany, where laws against public display of Nazi symbolism had been in place since the end of World War II. It wasn't screened there until it was included in a festival featuring the works of Jewish filmmakers.

Mel Brooks's original title for the film was "Springtime for Hitler" but the studio wouldn't allow it. They did say that they would allow "Springtime for Mussolini," but Brooks didn't like that and ended up calling it "The Producers".

The "hysterical" scene was filmed at the end of a long day, and an exhausted Gene Wilder told Mel Brooks that he just didn't think he "had it in him" to shoot it that day. Brooks solved the problem by loading the actor up with sugar and caffeine (in the form of two Hershey bars and a cup of coffee), after which the scene was shot in just two takes.

Mel Brooks was so surprised to win the Oscar for Best Screenplay, he collected the award without a speech prepared.

Mel Brooks' voice is dubbed in for a singer in "Springtime for Hitler". Mel only sings "Don't be stupid, be a smarty, come and join the Nazi Party", for dancer Tucker Smith.

Gene Wilder wrote half of Leo's courtroom monologue at the end. Mel Brooks wrote the other half.

Zero Mostel took Gene Wilder under his wing and the two became friends. "You may have heard stories about how bombastic, aggressive, and dictatorial Zero might be," said Wilder. "It didn't happen with me. He always took care of me. I loved him. He looked after me as if I were a baby sparrow."

The fountain scene at Lincoln Center was the last scene to be filmed. Gene Wilder thought Leo's ecstasy mirrored his own at the time, and was apparently what convinced him to stay with acting.