It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

G

Released Nov 7, 1963

2h 55m

Comedy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The story begins during a massive traffic jam, caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante), who, before kicking the bucket, cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot, under the Big W. All of the motorists set out to find the fortune.

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Critics Consensus

It's long, frantic, and stuffed to the gills with comic actors and set pieces -- and that's exactly its charm.

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

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

Nov 7, 2007

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Variety Staff

Variety

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

Nov 7, 2007

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Time Out

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

Feb 9, 2006

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Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

This is a grim new variant of the old knockabout form, a comedy that deliberately brutalises every convention that makes people laugh. What it be comes, not surprisingly, is a comedy hat makes people feel battered and bleak.

Mar 6, 2024

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Judith Crist

New York Herald Tribune

It's a comic's field day. We haven't seen such a salute to the gift of lunacy for decades.

Aug 8, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Despite the spectacular nature of the stunts in the first half, by the time the intermission and entr'acte come around, the visuals get even more complexly outrageous.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 24, 2020

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Robert L

It is one of my all time favorite movies. Definitely my favorite comedy. Great group of actors and non-stop action. I saw it for the first time with my Dad when it came out in 1963.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

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Honnest Jonn

The original comedy epic, containing the ultimate all-star cast of comedy legends! Non-stop laughs, historic locations all around Southern California, and some heart stopping stunts and car chases!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/23

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BKK F

Funniest movie I ever saw. So many movie stars from the past. They don't make em like this anymore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

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Emmett H

The shelf life of a comedy film is notoriously shorter than that of any other genre. Imagine a fellow getting a cream pie in the face: it just isn't funny any more. Nor are people with speech impediments, bulging eyes, and ridiculous affectations. This film is a paean to slapstick entertainment, and I recall how well this film was received back in the mid-Sixties. But this is 60 years on, and truly funny movies are few and very far between. This one misses the mark.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

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Antanas T

Why can't this movie be legally bought? 😢😡

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/13/23

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Joel H

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is such an ambitious comedy. To think that the filmmakers were able to gather so many famous comedians from the past and (then) present, coordinate multiple stunt scenes, and try to write a story that would keep people engaged for over 160 minutes is incredible. And what's even more incredible is that it works. Yes, it has more impact if you know who all these comedic actors are, but even if you don't, it still is able to make you laugh and keep you amused as the chaos ensues. It may start out at a slow roll, but It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a wild ride by the end.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

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Stanley Kramer

Director

Spencer Tracy

Capt. T.G. Culpeper

Edie Adams

Monica Crump

Milton Berle

J. Russell Finch

Jimmy Durante

Smiler Grogan

Jonathan Winters

Lennie Pike

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Synopsis

The story begins during a massive traffic jam, caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante), who, before kicking the bucket, cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot, under the Big W. All of the motorists set out to find the fortune.

Director: Stanley Kramer
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: Tania Rose, William Rose
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists, Casey Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 1963, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 19, 2016
Runtime: 2h 55m
Aspect Ratio: Cinerama (2.59:1), Scope (2.35:1)

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