What a Way to Go!

Released May 12, 1964

1h 51m

Comedy

List

18%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

After attempting to donate $200 million to the Internal Revenue Service, Louisa (Shirley MacLaine) finds herself in the care of a psychiatrist, Dr. Stephanson (Bob Cummings). She relates the improbable story behind her strange gift. It includes a pair of penniless husbands (Dick Van Dyke, Paul Newman), who build large fortunes before suffering early -- and unusual -- deaths. To break the curse, Louisa weds a millionaire (Robert Mitchum), then a clown (Gene Kelly), without much improvement.

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Lynn H

Light-hearted fun, beautiful costumes (Edith Head) and MEN including Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, Dean Martin, and Dick Van Dyke. Shirley MacLaine is the only woman who could have done this movie. She is perfection. I only hope that these huge stars had as much fun making this movie as I have had watching it, repeatedly, for most of my life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/23

Full Review

Steve D

Not amusing for one single moment.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/23

Full Review

ANGEL D

costume design in this movie is amazing

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/15/23

Full Review

Jesse E

This is one of my favorites. I have eclectic tastes, ranging through sci-fi to fantasy to romance to action and on to horror and holiday classics. I have faves in each genre. This one is such a movie. The plot is so improbable that it almost had to be a true story. No one could make up something so ridiculous! But no, it's not based on a true story. It's just a well imagined bit of story telling. The acting is superb, the writing clever and witty, the directing faultless. Truly, this is a movie not to be missed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/22

Full Review

daniel c

A star-studded cast makes this absurd comedy an enjoyable romp as they tip their hat to every decade of Hollywood (up to that time.) A real family film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

AWESOME Visual treat and very entertaining & funny ‼️💥

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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J. Lee Thompson

Director

Shirley MacLaine

Louisa May Foster

Paul Newman

Larry Flint

Robert Mitchum

Rod Anderson, Jr.

Dean Martin

Leonard "Lennie" Crawley

Gene Kelly

Pinky Benson

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James Powers

Hollywood Reporter

Hard to define but easy to recommend; the 20th-Fox presentation is a funny musical comedy, or comedy with music, with all the glamour that Hollywood can throw into one film, and a high-powered cast to light the marquee.

May 15, 2018

Full Review

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.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 17, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

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

Jun 17, 2008

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The talents of an incredible group of actors are pooled for this effervescent comedy that was originally conceived as a starring vehicle for Marilyn Monroe.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 9, 2023

Full Review

Andrew Galdi

Movie Bitches

It's best to watch it with the sound off at a party...for the costumes

Rated: C+

Aug 31, 2022

Full Review

Avaryl Halley

Movie Bitches

I would say if this movie had leaned in more it would be better but it leans all the way in and fails

Rated: C+

Aug 31, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

After attempting to donate $200 million to the Internal Revenue Service, Louisa (Shirley MacLaine) finds herself in the care of a psychiatrist, Dr. Stephanson (Bob Cummings). She relates the improbable story behind her strange gift. It includes a pair of penniless husbands (Dick Van Dyke, Paul Newman), who build large fortunes before suffering early -- and unusual -- deaths. To break the curse, Louisa weds a millionaire (Robert Mitchum), then a clown (Gene Kelly), without much improvement.

Director: J. Lee Thompson
Screenwriter: Gwen Davis, Betty Comden, Adolph Green
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 12, 1964, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Runtime: 1h 51m

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