MovieChat Forums > The Producers (1968) Discussion > Achtung Baby

Achtung Baby

posted 10 years ago by chaz01
5 replies | jump to latest

I keep seeing this quote attributed to Mel Brooks original version of "The Producers"

Franz Liebkind: Der Führer does not say, "Achtung, baby."

U2 even gives credit to this movie line for inspiring the name of their successful 1991 record album.

Yet, I could not find this line anywhere in the version recently aired on TCM. During the performance of Springtime For Hitler, Franz does say,

"Baby. Baby... Why does he say this 'baby'? The Führer has never said 'baby'. I did not write 'baby'. What is it with this 'baby'? "
[This is immediately before his famous line "You are the audience. I am the author. I outrank you." ]

A little later, when he pulls the curtain down and addresses the audience, he says

"You are the victims of a hoax. These are not my words! The fuhrer has never said this 'baby'."

But I never hear anybody say anything like "Achtung, Baby" anywhere in the movie. Which I find strange given the U2 album. Did I miss this somewhere or am I correct that this appears to be misquoted?

[–] Krustallos 10 years ago

I saw it last night and my recollection is the same as yours. If it relates to the film it's probably more of a reference than a quote. "The Fuhrer Has Never Said this 'Baby'" isn't such a snappy title...

I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to leave the room with a little dignity.

[–] darryl-tahirali 9 years ago

But I never hear anybody say anything like "Achtung, Baby" anywhere in the movie. Which I find strange given the U2 album. Did I miss this somewhere or am I correct that this appears to be misquoted? - chaz01

Agree. I think we have another "Play it again, Sam" kind of situation.

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"Colorless green ideas sleep furiously." - Noam Chomsky

[–] murph24 9 years ago

Unless it's buried somewhere in overlapping dialogue, I've never heard "Achtung, baby" in the film. However, during the performance of "Springtime for Hitler," LSD accidentally drops a medal down his pants and tells one of his colleagues to "Get it out, baby" - and when it's gone, he gratefully says "Danke schön, baby." And later, when Goebbels greets him with a cheerful "Heil, baby!," he responds with an equally cheerful "Hey, baby!"

But I have yet to hear "Achtung, baby."

[–] vosges1945 8 years ago

Actually, it doesn't appear in the movie. It's from Mel Brooks "To Be or Not to Be (The Hitler Rap)", specifically the line "Achtung, baby! I got me a plan!", released in 1983.

Since it harkens back to "The Producers" so closely in satirical style and content it's been constantly incorrectly attributed to the movie - which only proves how much impact the movie has had over the years!

Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order

[–] Beau_Buffet (326) 7 years ago

You are the real MVP.

I was asking myself the same question as these people. I did a search in the subtitles and found nothing...

Thanks for the excellent explanation.