One of my most favorite classic comedy movies is “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”. Just chock full of classic Hollywood stars and some great comedy bits and performances. I can recite Smiler Grogan’s (Jimmy Durante) ‘death’ statement at the front of the movie practically by heart. And when Johnathan Winters chases Phil Silvers with the pick ax at Santa Rosita State Park (which results in Winters discovering first just what the Big W was) and does a swinging dive at Silvers, practically trying to plant it in the top of Silver’s head, makes me chuckle every time.

Edie Adams was a doll back then and has a nice look all through the movie, even in her paint-spattered dress. And Ethel Merman as everyone’s nightmare mother-in-law and Dick Shawn as her beach bum beatnik son are priceless. The whole cast did a great job.

A great comedy movie from a different place in time. Trivia note: the title of the movie would, sadly, take on a much too true ring: about two weeks after it’s release in November, 1963 certain events on a Friday afternoon in Dallas, Texas would soon make many believe it truly was a mad, mad, mad, mad world.

Earl

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Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970