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

> 1963 film by Stanley Kramer

**Wikidata**: [Q1306890](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1306890)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Mad,_Mad,_Mad,_Mad_World)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/it-s-a-mad-mad-mad-mad-world

## Summary
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a 1963 American comedy film directed by Stanley Kramer. The film features an ensemble cast pursuing a buried treasure after a dying thief reveals its location.

## Key Facts
- Release date: November 7, 1963 (limited), December 19, 1963 (wide)
- Director: Stanley Kramer
- Country of origin: United States
- Genre: Comedy, adventure, heist film
- Runtime: 161 minutes (original cut), 202 minutes (roadshow version), 192 minutes (restored version)
- Budget: $9.4 million
- Box office: $46.3 million
- IMDb ID: tt0057193
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 69%
- Metacritic score: 59/100
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 37
- Wikidata description: "1963 film by Stanley Kramer"

## FAQs
**What is the plot of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World?**
The film follows a group of motorists who witness a car crash where the dying driver reveals the location of $350,000 in stolen money buried "under a big W" in Santa Rosita State Park. The motorists then engage in a madcap cross-country race to find the treasure before the others.

**Who are the main cast members?**
The film features an all-star ensemble cast including Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Ethel Merman, and Jonathan Winters, among many others. It was notable for bringing together numerous famous comedians and character actors of the era.

**What makes this film notable in comedy history?**
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is considered one of the greatest comedy films ever made and a landmark in the ensemble comedy genre. It pioneered the "chase comedy" format and featured an unprecedented gathering of comedy talent, influencing countless subsequent comedies with its madcap energy and elaborate physical comedy sequences.

**How was the film received upon release?**
The film was a major commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 1963. While critics were initially divided on its length and pacing, it has since been recognized as a comedy classic and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning for Best Sound Editing.

## Why It Matters
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World represents a pivotal moment in American comedy cinema, bringing together an unprecedented collection of comedic talent in a single production. The film's massive scale, both in terms of budget and star power, demonstrated the commercial viability of large-scale ensemble comedies. Its influence can be seen in countless subsequent comedies that feature multiple stars and interconnected storylines. The film also showcases the transition in American comedy from the more subtle styles of the 1950s to the broader, more physical comedy that would dominate the 1960s and beyond. As a cultural artifact, it captures the optimistic, expansive spirit of early 1960s America while pushing the boundaries of what a comedy film could be in terms of scope and ambition.

## Notable For
- One of the most star-studded casts in film history, featuring nearly every major comedian of the era
- Pioneering the "epic comedy" genre with its massive scale and elaborate set pieces
- Winning the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing
- Being one of the highest-grossing films of 1963
- Its innovative use of widescreen cinematography to capture large-scale physical comedy
- Serving as a template for future ensemble comedies and "chase" films
- Featuring extensive location shooting across multiple states
- Its influence on the development of the disaster-comedy genre

## Body

### Production and Development
Stanley Kramer, primarily known for serious dramas like "Judgment at Nuremberg," took an unusual turn into comedy with this project. The film was conceived as an epic comedy that would bring together the greatest comedic talents of the era. Kramer spent considerable time developing the script with William Rose, who had previously written "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" for him. The production was massive, with a budget of $9.4 million - an enormous sum for a comedy in 1963.

### Cast and Characters
The film features an unprecedented gathering of comedy legends. Spencer Tracy plays the straight man role of Captain Culpepper, the police chief who observes the chaos. The treasure hunters include Milton Berle as J. Russell Finch, a nervous furniture mover; Sid Caesar as Melville Crump, a dentist; Buddy Hackett and Mickey Rooney as two cab drivers; and Ethel Merman as the overbearing mother-in-law. The cast also includes comedy legends like Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas, and Buster Keaton in cameo roles, making it one of the most star-studded productions in Hollywood history.

### Technical Specifications
The film was shot in Ultra Panavision 70, a widescreen format that allowed for expansive compositions perfect for the large-scale physical comedy sequences. The original roadshow version ran 202 minutes, including an intermission, though this was later cut to 161 minutes for general release. In 2014, a restored version closer to the original cut was released, running 192 minutes. The film's sound design was particularly innovative, winning the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing for its complex layering of dialogue, sound effects, and music during the chaotic chase sequences.

### Genre Classification
The film spans multiple genres, primarily comedy and adventure, but also incorporates elements of the heist film genre as the characters pursue the hidden treasure. It's classified under various genre categories including screwball comedy, given its madcap energy and ensemble cast dynamics, and action-comedy due to its elaborate chase sequences and physical stunts.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
"It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" has become a touchstone in comedy history, frequently referenced and parodied in subsequent films and television shows. Its influence can be seen in later ensemble comedies like "The Cannonball Run" and "Rat Race," which follow similar premises of multiple characters in madcap competition. The film's success demonstrated that comedy could be treated as epic spectacle, paving the way for larger-scale comedic productions. It remains a favorite among comedy enthusiasts and continues to be screened at film festivals and special events celebrating classic cinema.

### Distribution and Release
The film had a unique release strategy, premiering in a roadshow format with reserved seating, an overture, and an intermission - typically reserved for serious dramas and musicals rather than comedies. This approach reflected the film's epic scope and helped position it as a major cinematic event. The wide release version was significantly shorter than the original cut, leading to decades of discussion among fans about the missing footage. The 2014 restoration helped resolve some of these questions by reassembling much of the originally cut material.

### Critical Reception and Awards
Upon release, the film received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its ambition and star power while others found it overlong and chaotic. However, its commercial success was undeniable, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 1963. The film received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound, winning for Best Sound Editing. Over time, critical opinion has become more favorable, with many modern critics considering it a comedy classic that deserves recognition for its technical achievements and historical significance in bringing together so much comedic talent.

### Related Works and Connections
The film exists within a broader context of 1960s American comedy and cinema. It connects to the tradition of large-scale Hollywood productions while also representing a shift toward more physical, ensemble-based comedy. The film's massive cast includes actors who had previously worked together in various combinations, creating a web of connections within the Hollywood comedy community of the era. Its success influenced the development of subsequent comedy films that would attempt to replicate its formula of combining multiple stars in elaborate comic situations.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=31427.html)
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3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057193/)
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6. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057193/fullcredits)
7. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
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9. The Movie Database
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12. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057193/releaseinfo)
13. [Carol Daniels - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0199859/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr40#stunts-tt0057193)
14. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=itsamadmadmadmadworld.htm)
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