It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World

August 7, 2005 - This 1963 comedy caper stars a who's who of Hollywood at the time - Spencer Tracy, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, Ethel Merman, Jonathan Winters, Phil Silvers and more.

The movie begins when a speeding car loses control and tumbles down a cliff in California. Before the driver literally kicks the bucket, he tells some good-hearted citizens that he stole some money years ago and buried it in a park under a big W. The good-hearted citizens pass the info along to police then set out to find the money and keep it for themselves.

Spencer Tracy is the police officer who never could solve the case. He pretends to be setting a trap for the greedy civilians but he's really plotting to get the money for himself.

Of course, nothing goes as planned. In their haste to get to the park, the greedy civilians are beset by a series of misadventures, mostly involving transportation. Then, once they get there and find the money, Spencer Tracy takes it and the chase is on again. In the end, the moral of the story seems to be that old rule of comedy: Leave 'em laughing!

Overall review: *** I recall first seeing this movie on one New Year's Eve. I was about 12 or so at the time and thought it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. Seeing it again, it's not non-stop laughter, but it's still pretty funny. The actors all played their scenes over the top. They know the whole thing is ridiculous, so why not enjoy it!