Max Bialystock

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Max Bialystock

Background

Max Bialystock is a theatrical producer in New York City.


During the events of The Producers (1968) played by Zero Mostel

Max escorts a Lady out of his office and then waits as "Hold Me Touch Me" enters his office. They are role playing when they are interrupted by Leo Bloom. "Hold Me Touch Me" gives Max a check, which is then taken by The Landlord. Leo tells Max he is there to do Max's books and after Max tells Leo how he has fallen on hard times, Leo comes up with the idea that a producer could make a lot of money by purposely producing a play that would fail. After taking Leo around New York City and buying him a hot dog from a Hot Dog Vendor, Leo agrees to help produce a failure. They read through a large pile of scripts and decide on the play "Springtime for Hitler", and the next day go to meet the author Franz Liebkind. After Franz agrees to sell him his play, Max goes on dates with numerous old ladies to get money for the play and uses part of the money to hire Ulla to be his secretary. They next go to see Roger De Bris. They are brought to Roger by Carmen Ghia and Roger agrees to direct their play after telling them that it needs a musical number. Max and Leo watch as Roger auditions actors to play Hitler and Max decides on L.S.D. During opening night, Max tries to bribe a Drama Critic, who tosses the bribe at Max's feet. Max and Leo watch as the crowd shows their distaste for the play and then leave after the first act to go to a bar across the street. After celebrating what they believe to be the play's failure, Max and Leo are shocked to find out that the audience love the play starting with the part played by L.S.D. Max and Leo go back to their office and argue when Leo threatens to go to the police. They are interrupted by Franz who tries to shoot them, and after he runs out of bullets they decide to blow up the theater. They end up in court and Max, Leo and Franz are convicted and sent to prison. While in prison Max develops another play "Prisoners of Love" which Leo sells stakes in to the other prisoners and the prison warden.

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