Take the scene of the dancing old lady investors with walkers. Now they come out of an apartment building en masse and work their way down Fifth Avenue and into Central Park. It is a deft, hilarious stroke of imagination.

Nathan Lane is still a comic riot as producer Max Bialystock, who schemes with his accountant Leo Bloom to stage a flop so bad he can make a profit by raising money above what the doomed show is supposed to cost. On screen Lane’s performance looms even more outsized than it was on stage. Some may find it overkill, but it is funny nonetheless. Matthew Broderick as Bloom, who was somewhat laid back on stage, appears more dynamic on film. The combination still works wonders.

One major change is the substitution for Uma Thurman as Ulla, the Swedish bombshell for Cady Huffman, who initiated the role on Broadway. Huffman still really owns the part, but she might have seemed too harsh in the movie close-ups, and besides, Thurman is better known among movie audiences. However, Thurman, who looks gorgeous, comes through wonderfully with plenty of sexy sparkle and her “When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It” number is smashing.

Will Ferrell, in another important change, is over-the-top funny as the Nazi fanatic, and other comic contributions come from Gary Beach, Roger Bart and John Lovitz. The “Springtime for Hitler” concept still is a gas, although those who take offense are not likely to change their minds. Stroman’s choreography remains on target, and William Ivey Long’s lavishly satirical costumes merit an award.