It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)

Stanley Kramer's sprawling 1963 comedy about a search for buried treasure by at least a dozen people--all played by well-known entertainers of their day--is the kind of mass comedy that Hollywood hasn't made in many years. (Another example from around the same time is Blake Edwards's The Great Race.) After a number of strangers (including Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters, Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers, and others) witness a dying stranger (Jimmy Durante) identify the location of hidden money, a conflict-ridden hunt begins, watched over carefully by a suspicious cop (Spencer Tracy). The ensuing two and a half hours of mayhem has its ups and downs--some bits and performers are certainly funnier than others. But Kramer, who is better known for socially conscious, serious cinema (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?), is in a mood for broad comic characterization, and some of his jokes are so intentionally obvious (Durante literally kicks a bucket when he dies), they'd have a place in Airplane! Watch for lots of cameo appearances, including Jerry Lewis (who had called Kramer and asked him why he hadn't been invited to participate). --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

brutal

if you love yelling and screaming for 3 hours,this is the movie for you.for everyone else who has a brain,stay FAR away. it really is shocking what a big stiff this movie really is. and i thought Airport was the first disaster movie ! January 1, 2009

5 Stars for the final 2 minutes...

I enjoyed this movie as a kid, but watched it recently and found it to be bloated and dated and not all that funny. However, the final two minutes are one of the most profoundly spiritual moments in the history of cinema.

The lesson learned by Spencer Tracy's character, that life is inherently absurd and laughter is the best medicine for melancholy, is one that we can all benefit from. When sadness strikes, I watch the final two minutes several times in a row, and experience a healing catharsis.

This all sounds a little pompous and pretentious (even to me), but it is true nevertheless. November 11, 2008

funny

Very funny. It was as entertaining as it was many years ago when we saw it at the movies. Good quality picture. October 17, 2008

Very Funny

I remember seeing this movie when it first came out at the movie Theater
Purchasing this DVD reminded me just how funny this movie really is. This movie was made in 1963 and over the years there have been few movies with the same theme but none of them and I mean none of them have come close to the quality of this movie. Like the old Hitchcock Classics this is truly one of Stanley Kramer's best Comedy Classics. So if you're feeling depressed or you just need a good laugh I reccomend this movie. A little slapstickish but truly a very, very well made funny,funny movie. If you like comedy you won't be disappointed. September 30, 2008

It's a Good, Good, Good, Good, Movie!!!!!!!

Great, cazy awesome, and narly. A comidy thats not meant to be moving, just plain old funny and to keep you on your toes at all times. Some of the jokes are laugh-out-loud funny, some are so bad they make you laugh anyway. Remember to watch for the dieing man to "kick the bucket." September 5, 2008

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