- Max Bialystock
Max Bialystock is a fictional character in
Mel Brooks ' 1968 movie, "The Producers", played byZero Mostel . The character returned in the 2001 Broadway musical of the same name, and also in a 2005 Hollywood movie, which was based on the musical. Both times he was played byNathan Lane . Max's office building, at least in the 2005 film, is located across the street fromSardi's , which is located at 234 West 44th Street in Manhattan (though in the film Sardi's is incorrectly shown to be located at 236).Personality
Max Bialystock is described as selfish and greedy - a man who is only interested in making money. Though this is later proven untrue, Max's fiery and sarcastic nature can be very intimidating. He is willing to do anything to make money (including "shtupping every little old lady in New York") and is often angry, short-tempered and unwilling to cooperate nicely.
Curb Your Enthusiasm & The Producers
In the hit
HBO show,Curb Your Enthusiasm , in the fourth seasonLarry David is asked to take on the role of Max Bialystock when The Producers makes its Broadway Run. He is paired up with, originally,Ben Stiller , who is soon replaced byDavid Schwimmer . Mel Brooks jokes that they can save space on the marquee by just placing "Larry David Schwimmer" on the lights.Larry forgets his lines on opening night, but gets back by doing a little bit of standup with the crowd. Then he proceeds with the show and it becomes an instant hit, to which Mel Brooks is angry because he was hoping Larry's ineptitude would cause the show to be a flop, and he could get out of his roles as director and producer. Mel claims he is sick of the show and would like it to die out.
External links
* [http://www.jewish-theatre.com/visitor/article_display.aspx?articleID=451 Man behind the name Max Bialystock]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
