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Shirley MacLaine, Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, Dean Martin, Gene Kelly ... see more see more... , Dick Van Dyke , Reginald Gardiner , Margaret Dumont , Lou Nova , Fifi D'Orsay , Maurice Marsac , Wally Vernon , Jane Wald , Larry Kent , Army Archerd , Phil Arnold , Marjorie Bennett , Eugene Borden , Lynn Borden , Barbara Bouchet , Christopher Connelly , Tom Conway , Robert Cummings , Anthony Eustrel , Pamelyn Ferdin , Milton Frome , Teri Garr , Roy Gordon , Marcel Hillaire , Lenny Kent , Queenie Leonard , Burt Mustin , Pat O'Moore , Justin Smith , Dick Wilson , Helene Winston , Billy Corcoran , Sid Gould , Tracy Butler , Jack Greening

This lavishly produced, big-budget comedy (it cost $20 million in 1964 dollars) stars Shirley MacLaine as Louisa, a widow who is worth $200 million dollars. However, she's convinced that her fortune i... read more read more...s cursed, and she wants to give all her money to the IRS. As she explains her sad tale to her psychiatrist, Dr. Stephanson (Robert Cummings), it seems that when Louisa was young she had the choice of marrying rich playboy Leonard Crawley (Dean Martin) or poor but decent Edgar Hopper (Dick Van Dyke). She chose Edgar, but soon he became obsessed with providing a fine home and fortune for her; he got rich but worked himself to death in the process. Despondent, Louisa flies to Paris, where she strikes up a romance with expatriate artist Larry Flint (Paul Newman). When Larry invents a machine that creates paintings based on sounds, he becomes wealthy and famous -- and dies. Louisa returns to America, where she figures to break her streak by marrying Rod (Robert Mitchum), a business tycoon who already has lots of money. He resolves to take life easier and becomes a farmer, only to die in a strange accident with a bull. Louisa is drowning her sorrows one night at a sleazy night spot when she falls for second rate entertainer Jerry (Gene Kelly). They marry, and a now-wealthy Jerry develops a relaxed, carefree quality to his act that makes him a huge star, which leads to his being crushed by a mob of his biggest fans. What a Way to Go! boasted a screenplay by Betty Comdon and Adolph Green that featured many amusing film parodies and a score by Nelson Riddle; it also marked the final screen appearance of comic actress Margaret Dumont, best remembered as Groucho Marx's straight woman in several films. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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68% liked it

388 ratings

Critics

0% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: J. Lee Thompson

Release Date: May 12, 1964

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DVD Release Date: January 11, 2005

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Stats: 47 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (47)

  • jennifxu
    November 19, 2008
    jennifxu
    A delightful confection of a movie made primarily to showcase Edith Head's sumptuous outfits. It's really an experience to see all these big stars having a grand old time f-cking each other in a big glass of champagne. A satire of sorts, but the main purpose of seeing this movie ... read moreis to have FUN, because you're never gonna see anything like this again.
  • kingmob6
    February 26, 2012
    kingmob6
    This was a light little watch for a Sunday afternoon, which turned out to be the perfect setting, as it's a breezy little bit of fluff that seems made to do little beyond dress up Shirley MacLaine in a variety of cute outfits for a couple hours and set her against a series of A-L... read moreist suitors.

    Cute film that doesn't overstay its welcome.

    Give it a rental.
  • PinkMinkPrincess
    June 16, 2011
    PinkMinkPrincess
    She is Like a PINK Widow Spider, She Marries, they make a Fortune & Die.Over & Over .She thinks it is a Curse, so she tries to give her Money to the IRS, but they won't take it.She can't give her Money away, & she doesn't dare Marry Again a Poor Man cause he'll get Rich & Die.It'... read mores Very Funny.
  • jam233
    January 7, 2010
    jam233
    The cast is an amazing assortment of great actors, but the movie is rather stupid. I didn't find it very funny, the musical numbers weren't very good and the art direction is gaudy and too extreme. Some of the big name actors should be embarrassed at their participation, Paul New... read moreman in particular. On the plus side, it has a certain creativity, and the score is good, but overall it fizzles.
  • cavemanlawyer91
    January 6, 2010
    cavemanlawyer91
    A really fun movie that is a must see for anyone who loves old Hollywood. Van Dyke, Newman, Mitchum, and Kelly are wonderfully offbeat with Dean Martin being his usual awesome self. And damn! Shirley MacLaine was hot!
  • umygirl3
    July 25, 2009
    umygirl3
    This one is just cute. I found it in my quest to collect all Gene Kelly movies. Shirley and her amazing wardrobe, those long legs. Love her dance number with GK. Waited a LONG time to get it on DVD.
  • placeinthesun455
    April 3, 2009
    placeinthesun455
    what a pleasant hidden gem of a 60s comedy. goofy, over-the-top, semi-satirical, and ripe with a motley assortment of talent. very visually captivating, as well, with amusing effects, stunning Edith Head dresses, and classic Gene Kelly choreography. not the strongest or most c... read moreoherent story, but it's definitely a lot of fun.

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Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther
June 17, 2008
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

J. Lee Thompson's direction has failed to coalesce a good, firm farce. It lets the whole thing flap wildly -- and that's no way to make a film. Full Review

Variety Staff
June 17, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

A big, gaudy, gimmicky comedy which continually promises more than it delivers by way of wit and/or bellylaffs. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 11, 2010
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

A star vehicle for Shirley MacLaine, Thompson's film is a tediously episodic black comedy about a wealthy widow and her five husbands; Newman, Mitchum, and Martin are all wasted. Full Review

June 17, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The fact was that it simply wasn't very funny. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
February 9, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

An unappealing episodic black comedy that gets stuck in its own silliness. Full Review

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What a Way to Go! Trivia

  • In what 2004 movie does Ashton Kutcher's character find a way to go back in time to fill in the blanks from his memory?  Answer »
  • (2001) My name is Stuart and I discovered a way to go back in time! I inadvertently brought back this guy who is now living in my apartment and getting used to life in the 21st Century. My ex-girlfriend is kind of high strung and what do you know, these two get together. What movie did I describe?  Answer »
  • what was the ghost of christmas future's first warning to scrooge in a christmas carol:the musical   Answer »
  • What movie are the following lyrics from. " Show me the way to go home. I'm tired and I want to go to bed. Had a little drink about an hour ago , and it went right to my Head!  Answer »
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