It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World poster & wallpaper
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Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney ... see more see more... , Ethel Merman , Phil Silvers , Dick Shawn , Jimmy Durante , Buster Keaton , Jonathan Winters , Edie Adams , Dorothy Provine , Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson , Ben Blue , Alan Carney , Barrie Chase , William Demarest , Peter Falk , Paul Ford , Leo Gorcey , Edward Everett Horton , Don Knotts , Carl Reiner , Andy Devine , Sterling Holloway , Marvin Kaplan , Charles Lane , Charles McGraw , Zasu Pitts , Madlyn Rhue , Arnold Stang , Jesse White , Lloyd Corrigan , Selma Diamond , Stan Freberg , Louise Glenn , Ben Lessy , Bobo Lewis , Nick Stewart [Nicodemus] , Sammee Tong , Norman Fell , Nicholas Georgiade , Jim Backus , Paul Birch , Joe E. Brown , Chick Chandler , Stanley Clements , Howard Da Silva , Curly Joe DeRita , Minta Durfee , Roy Engel , Larry Fine , Don C. Harvey , Moe Howard , Allen Jenkins , Harry Lauter , Mike Mazurki , Cliff Norton , Barbara Pepper , Roy Roberts , Eddie Ryder , Terry-Thomas , Doodles Weaver , Jerry Lewis , Tom Kennedy , John Zaccaro

With this all-star Cinerama epic, producer/director Stanley Kramer vowed to make "the comedy that would end all comedies." The story begins during a massive traffic jam, caused by reckless driver Smil... read more read more...er Grogan (Jimmy Durante), who, before (literally) kicking the bucket, cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot, "under the Big W." The various motorists setting out on a mad scramble include a dentist (Sid Caesar) and his wife (Edie Adams); a henpecked husband (Milton Berle) accompanied by his mother-in-law (Ethel Merman) and his beatnik brother-in-law (Dick Shawn); a pair of comedy writers (Buddy Hackett and Mickey Rooney); and a variety of assorted nuts including a slow-wit (Jonathan Winters), a wheeler-dealer (Phil Silvers), and a pair of covetous cabdrivers (Peter Falk and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson). Monitoring every move that the fortune hunters make is a scrupulously honest police detective (Spencer Tracy). Virtually every lead, supporting, and bit part in the picture is filled by a well-known comic actor: the laughspinning lineup also includes Carl Reiner, Terry-Thomas, Arnold Stang, Buster Keaton, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, and The Three Stooges, who get one of the picture's biggest laughs by standing stock still and uttering not a word. Two prominent comedians are conspicuous by their absence: Groucho Marx refused to appear when Kramer couldn't meet his price, while Stan Laurel declined because he felt he was too old-looking to be funny. Available for years in its 154-minute general release version, the film was restored to its roadshow length of 175 minutes on home video; the search goes on for a missing Buster Keaton routine, reportedly excised on the eve of the picture's premiere. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

20,936 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

28 critics

G, 2 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Stanley Kramer

Release Date: November 7, 1963

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DVD Release Date: September 18, 2001

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Stats: 1,423 reviews

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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Tracy smiling.... People walk through the big W airplane over desert Rooney, Hackett, and Terry Thomas gets electrocuated Phil silvers in Don Knott's car Smiler's car goes off a cliff Milton Berle Phil Silvers hitchhike Hackett and Rooney are about to go through a hangar Cops confused Poster designed by Saul Bass Don Knotts cameo # 4 Sid caesar in shock Cocoa Cola billboard the plane hates advertising The Gang's all here the big "W" is spotted
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Flixster Reviews (1,423)

  • FrizzDrop
    October 21, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    This is the perfect example of an epic comedy, one that spans time, venues, and types of comedy. Other films of this genre include The Blues Brothers and Blazing Saddles, though unlike those this is far more tame. This was in the days of family humor, and epics were per usual wit... read moreh movie going crowds. Still, the characters are larger than life, using a lot of physical comedy, and the exclusively sixties plot device of misunderstandings. The best aspect of having watched so many films is the fact that so many big names came together to do this film, and naming them off as you see them is extremely entertaining. The entire film concerns a milieu of improbable characters who find a dying crook who tells them where he has buried hidden money stolen and untraceable. The band of misfits at first all decide to distribute the wealth accordingly, but after a series of fights they all strike out on their own, some chartering planes, others hitchhiking, all to the amusement of the watching police department in Santa Rosita. This surveillance team is headed by recently retiring and angst ridden Chief Culpepper, played by Spencer Tracy. The two larger than life characters are played by Ethel Merman, a busybody mother-in-law with the loudest yell I've ever heard, and Jonathan Winters, who single handedly destroys an entire gas station through sheer force. Mickey Rooney and Buddy Hackett are the comic foils, oftentimes saying boneheaded phrases, and crashing into things. There's even a very brief yet memorable cameo by Don Knotts, who interacts with Phil Silvers, famous for portraying Sgt. Bilko. There are some great effects, and though it's long for a comedy the full fledged character development and longwinded comedy work with this vehicle. It's zany fun, it's certainly a mad world.
  • ajv2688
    November 24, 2010
    ajv2688
    Don't hesitate to see this movie just because it's extremely long, it's worth it. This movie is really hilarious, and it's got a great story. It has action and excitement, and an intermission! This movie is enjoyable, I really liked it, and I highly recommend it.
  • CloudStrife84
    October 19, 2010
    CloudStrife84
    Call me narrow-minded, but never did I imagine that a movie this old, could be so wildly entertaining. And "wild" is no doubt one of the key words here, as it's one of the most suitable adjectives one can use you to describe the story. A wacky, adventurous and highly enjoyable tr... read moreeasure hunt, that paved the way for movies like Cannonball Run and Rat Race. Wonderful characters, superb directing and writing. An absolute gem and one of the best comedies of its time.
  • BEACHBUNNI
    May 26, 2010
    BEACHBUNNI
    anybody who has ever been funny is in this movie! an oldie but a goodie!
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    A classic comedy with the greatest cast ever put together! A real favourite of mine, I must have watched it over 100 times and every time I?m in fits of laughter! They don?t make them like this anymore. It?s in the top 5 comedies of all time!
  • pier007
    August 9, 2007
    pier007
    A truly epic comedy. superb cast and cameos, insuperable hilarious premise, pure classic slap-stick.
  • jennifxu
    July 16, 2007
    jennifxu
    a trifle long but the pace rarely falters. ethel merman definitely a highlight because she perfectly exemplifies the "mother-in-law". every time she comes on screen i grit my teeth and want to strangle her. literally. rat race is an updated version of this movie and i must say i ... read morelike both of them for different reasons. however, what really really bugs me about this movie is that it is so incredibly sexist. every portrayal of a woman is negative, whether it shows her off as weak or useless or shrewish or annoying. all the women are completely dependent on men except for ethel merman's character, who deserves to fall in a snake pit. makes me mad!
  • superclerk25
    February 16, 2007
    superclerk25
    This was a funny flick with a ton of actors that people should get to know. It was later remade.
  • deano
    September 25, 2006
    deano
    Plenty of funniest scenes with car chases, accidents and flying.
  • hypathio7
    October 6, 2008
    hypathio7
    All the comedic talent in this movie is unbeatable! Zany!

View All It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Reviews

Critic Reviews

Don Druker
November 7, 2007
Don Druker, Chicago Reader

Stanley Kramer strikes out again with this elephantine 1963 attempt at uproarious comedy. Full Review

Variety Staff
November 7, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

The comic competition is so keen that it is impossible to single out any one participant as outstanding. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

So many excellent actors and stunt men do so much in this film that it is beyond my space allowance to begin to credit them. Full Review

Cole Smithey
January 22, 2012
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

[VIDEO] A classic example of the Screwball Comedy genre. Full Review

Phil Hall
December 12, 2010
Phil Hall, Film Snobbery

What can you say about a comedy where the Three Stooges are the most sedate people on screen? Full Review

November 7, 2007
Film4

Spencer Tracy, Sid Caesar, Mickey Rooney and host of good-old-fashioned-comedy chums cram in the action, but miss the laughs in this frantic bank caper comedy. Full Review

November 7, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

This comic extravaganza starts off funny, but exhausts rather than delights. Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

Kramer's 'comedy to end all comedy' stretches its material to snapping point but offers happy hours of star-spotting. Full Review

Cole Smithey
December 5, 2005
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

This movie defines the words "comic romp."

Daniel Eagan
February 11, 2005
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International

Bloated mega-comedy best for its many cameos

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • J. Algernon Hawthorne: Why Americans are so obsessed with breasts. I say if American women stopped wearing braziers your entire economy would collapse overnight.
    • Capt. C.G. Culpepper: Billie Sue? Billie Sue where are you?
    • Billie Sue: I'm at the bus station.
    • Capt. C.G. Culpepper: Sweetheart what are you doing at the bus station?
    • Billie Sue: I'm waiting for the bus!
    • Mrs. Marcus: What kind of an attitude is that? 'These things happen.' The only reason why these things happen is because this whole country is filled with people, that when these things happen they just say 'these things happen,' and that's why they happen.
    • Police Officer: Is something wrong?
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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Trivia

  • what movie has a lot of people searching for $350,000 under a big "W"? (don't forget the commas, there are three in the title)  Answer »
  • In which movie does an all-star cast go on a search for money that is burried under "the big W?"  Answer »
  • A crowd of craqzed, greedy people race through the Southwest to find buried loot from a robbery while a cop tries to home in on the action.  Answer »
  • In the early 1960's movie, " Its A Mad Mad Mad World," what was the Big W?  Answer »
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