My Christmas day was spent catching a movie with almost every Jew of area code 412 (a.k.a. Pittsburgh). Mel Brooks' screen version of his award-winning Broadway musical The Producers is two hours of pure entertainment. I never get tired of the Jewish jokes that are an integral part of a Mel Brooks' comedy. Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane were the original stars of the Broadway version of The Producers, and they dazzle the screen in the film version as the characters Leo Bloom and Max Bialystock. I've loved Broderick ever since his title role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off in the mid-1980s, and I also found him adorable as timid accountant Leo Bloom in this film.

My favorite scene is when Bloom is working at his boring job and bursts out into the song, "I Wanna Be A Producer." Broderick's subtle humor is the perfect balance to Lane's loud-mouthed slapstick. Lane's flamboyant personality shines as he portrays Max Bialystock. Will Ferrell demonstrates his unique comic flair as the playwright behind the producers' flop-worthy Springtime for Hitler.

The Producers is everything you would expect it to be. It's full of energy, but it may have too much energy for some viewers. It features 18 musical numbers and hundreds of dancing chorus girls, making it reminiscent of the classic movie-musicals of the 1950s. I would imagine that the live Broadway version of the movie would be much better.

However, if you aren't planning a trip to New York City anytime soon, this movie is sure to satisfy your craving for dazzling dancing, songs and comedy.

-- Reviewed by Beth Kaiserman