Prisoners of Love

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For the episode of Danny Phantom, see Prisoners of Love (Danny Phantom). For the compilation album by Yo La Tengo, see Prisoners of Love: A Smattering of Scintillating Senescent Songs: 1985-2003.

Prisoners of Love is a fictional musical that appeared in Mel Brooks' 1968 comedy film The Producers and later in the subsequent 2001 Broadway musical and musical film re-make.

The play deals with prisoners who put aside their differences and learn to get along with the warden and prison guards. As they begin to appreciate the world they live in, they manage to take their minds off the sentences that have been placed upon them and enjoy music and dance. Ulla and Roger De Bris, who both appeared in "Springtime for Hitler" play central characters.

Prisoners of Love is written by Franz Liebkin (a Nazi who previously wrote the hugely popular "Springtime for Hitler") during his time in Sing Sing prison with producers Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom. As Max and Leo cast their fellow inmates as the characters and begin to direct the play in prison, it becomes the talk of the town. Soon enough, every prisoner in Sing Sing is investing in the production and so is the warden. Max, Leo and Franz are freed from prison for "having, through song and dance, brought joy and laughter into the hearts of every murderer, rapist and sex maniac in Sing Sing."

Prisoners of Love is soon on Broadway and becomes Liebkin's second big hit. Max and Leo, who have produced the show, go on to produces many more successful plays and musicals. The music in the show also provides the tune for The Producers final number, "Leo & Max".