corabelch Classic movies aren't all super slow and overly dramatic and full of weird kisses where the actors don't move their lips at all (like, just in case you thought they were). Sometimes they are really, really funny. Case in point, this movie about a bunch of misfit type characters who set off to find a buried fortune supposedly hidden by an ex-con who dies in a car crash. It's a race for the money! Fast, frenetic, funny. See it!

ofpsmith I think everyone who loves movies can point to at least one or two movies that sparked their interest. Some people say Star Wars or Citizen Kane, but for me It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World was one of those. I first saw it when I was 11 or so and I've absolutely loved it ever since. A thief named Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante) crashes his car in the California hills. When eight people go to check if he's all right, he tells them about $350,000 (in 1963) that he hid at Santa Rosita State Park. After a fruitless attempt at debating who gets what, they all decide to turn it into a race. I won't go any further because if I do I'll end up spoiling the whole thing. I'll just end by saying if you love comedies (or movies in general) that It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a must see.

MartinHafer I just had rotator cuff surgery and this is one of my first film reviews post-surgery. So, although the movie is 3 1/2 hours long, I am being very brief because I just don't have the energy to write longer AND because they are already a ton of reviews for the movie.The story involves a group of seemingly normal people who go crazy due to greed and quickly become unhinged at the process of sudden wealth. In addition to this core group, you have many cameos (many of which could have been used better) of very famous comedy actors of yesterday such as The Three Stooges, Jack Benny, Joe E. Brown and many others.So is this film a brilliant comedy? Not exactly. Subtlety certainly is NOT something you see in the film and Ethel Merman's performance is ridiculously over the top (no one is THAT obnoxious). Instead it's more a turn off your brain and just enjoy sort of movie. Funny, high energy but rarely brilliant or clever...it's well worth seeing and holds up well but also isn't a film that makes the best use of its many stars.

atlasmb When director Stanley Kramer assembled the cast for "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", the comedians were standing in line for a chance to appear in the film. The result is a veritable Who's Who of comedy from silent film days to 1961. (Check out "Rat Race" (2001) for another comedy with a large ensemble.)I saw IAMMMMW at a drive-in on its first release. I enjoyed the film, with its cartoonish action and characters. It was like watching Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner (and friends) played with human actors. Over time, it has not become dated. In fact, I enjoy it more today. As an older viewer, I can better appreciate the subtleties of the performances (even within the slapstick) and the quality of the script. Also, even though I knew who most of the actors were back in 1961, I now have a greater respect for and knowledge of their abilities and careers.There are so many talents in this film, both as leads and as supporting actors and in cameos. But there are a few who really drive this comedy. Jonathan Winters, for example, plays a manic character who is like an unstoppable force. Dick Shawn portrays a kooky, west coast surfer dude like no one else can. Ethel Merman--surprisingly--is like a walking punchline, giving all of the actors something to play off of--like an MVP. And Phil Silvers always makes me laugh, with his "Why I oughta" snarkiness.For cinema fans, this is a film that should be watched for its record of comedic talent. Consider Milton Berle, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney, Terry Thomas, Don Knotts, Jimmy Durante, and Jerry Lewis, just to name a few. The jokes come from every direction.The stuntwork and car chases are also a lot of fun. That this piece of cinematic history is also so much fun to watch is just a bonus.