When The Producers was released in Sweden, a journalist asked if he could use the film’s original title ‘Springtime for Hitler’. This caught on, and every cinema showing The Producers displayed the original title. It was such a popular decision that from then on, Swedish film distributors decided to put ‘Springtime for…’ before every subsequent Mel Brooks film that played in Sweden. Instead of Blazing Saddles it was ‘Springtime for the Sheriff’, and instead of Young Frankenstein, it was ‘Springtime for Frankenstein’ and so on.

Mel Brooks’ book is full of similarly amusing anecdotes. Encounters with Cary Grant (who was full of praise for Mel Brooks), Mario Puzo (who, Mel Brooks tells us, was the best eater of all!) and Zero Mostel (who played Bialystock in The Producers) had casting approval in his contract and wanted to make sure he would work with the actor who was going to be playing Leo Bloom. Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel connected immediately, as one would expect!

One for film fanatics, this book is essential reading for those who enjoy all forms of brilliant storytelling.

All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business by Mel Brooks was published by Penguin, out now in paperback. My copy was kindly sent to me (on my request) from the publisher to review.