He swears by nothing: Nathan Lane at Sunday's Producers premiere Photo: (STV)

I used to think I was the only person in New York who has never seen The Producers in either its Broadway incarnation or the form of Mel Brooks's original 1968 movie. But you learn something new everyday--especially while camping on the cold fringe of a red carpet, which is exactly where The Reeler found itself during Sunday night's premiere of The Producers latest, movie musical adaptation.

In this case, my lesson came in the form of another intrepid reporter, bundled up in the chilly tent with her leopard-print scarf and a sheaf of trenchant inquiries for the stars--no research required, as poor Nathan Lane soon discovered.

"Diet secrets you swear by," she said, her breath trailing the question through the freezing air.

"What?" Lane asked.

"Diet secrets you swear by," she repeated.

"Diet secrets I swear by? What do you mean?"

"Just really quickly."

"I don't... I have no idea."

Not like the guy needed my help, but I intervened anyway: "Is this the coldest premiere you've ever been to in your life?"

He turned to leave. "It's starting to be."

On that basis alone, I now have Brooks's film at the top of my Netflix queue and I'm stocking up on pre-sale tickets for Lane's new one. Fan. For. Life.