It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film: 205 Minutes (Extended Re-cut: 182 Minutes) (DVD Version: 160 Minutes)

Director: Stanley Kramer

Starring: Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Edie Adams

IMDB Rank: 7.5/10

Part 1 Time: N/A Minutes (Extended Re-cut: 108 Minutes) (DVD Version: 79 Minutes)

Part 2 Time: N/A Minutes (Extended Re-cut: 74 Minutes) (DVD Version: 81 Minutes)

Where does the first part end? Captain T.G. Culpepper (Spencer Tracy) sits in his office, as his wife and daughter bicker on two separate phones.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “What’s the matter, Chief? Something wrong?” Police Sergeant (Alan Carney) speaks to Captain T.G. Culpepper in his office.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Stop, Stop it Monica!” Melville Crump (Sid Caesar) to Monica Crump (Edie Adams) as dynamite is about to explode.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, at this point in the film all groups are struggling to make it to the location of the money. Which group or individual who will be first to get the money still remains a mystery?

Which part is better? As the film progresses the audience is introduced to various characters, who all diverge on different paths on their way to the same goal. Part two is given the advantage as it not only devolves all who is involved in the hunt but also the ending to what some could say the greatest Hollywood treasure hunt of the 20th century.

Academy Awards: 1964; Best Effects-Sound Effects, Best Cinematography-Colour (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Original Song (Nominated), Best Music Score-Substantially Original (Nominated).