OT: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

[Vdubdavid]

This is one of my and my Dad's favorite movies and we watched it recently in its current incarnation on DVD. I know that our DVD (with a length of 1 hour, 41 minutes) does not represent the movie as it originally premiered (with a length of something like 1 hour, 90 minutes). I've hit a dead end myself trying to find if any formerly lost sequences have turned up. Does any of the other movie buffs here have any information?

[postamessage]

This is kind of confusing. There are actually three versions of this film, a roadshow version, the regular theatrical release version and a "restored" home video release in the early 90s. The roadshow version has been lost; the restored version added footage from a work-print of the film some of which was never included in the roadshow version.

The DVD is the regular release version and is about 161 minutes long.

[Daff Doc]

What version do they play on TCM that is way over three hours long?

[postamessage]

TCM plays the restored.

[gilligan fanati]

oh Mad World is one of my favorite movies. Everything about this movie is great. So many people appear in this film and there are so many great scenes. I love it when Sid Caesar and his wife get stuck in the hardware store. All the chase scenes are great. I thought Spencer Tracys wife and daughter scenes were funny to. Look for Jim Backus from Gilligan and Mr Magoo geting knocked out in the air with Buddy Hacket. I just love this movie. I don't think there is a scene or a character I don;t like.

[cpdavison]

This is one of my and my Dad's favorite movies and we watched it recently in its current incarnation on DVD. I know that our DVD (with a length of 1 hour, 41 minutes) does not represent the movie as it originally premiered (with a length of something like 1 hour, 90 minutes). I've hit a dead end myself trying to find if any formerly lost sequences have turned up. Does any of the other movie buffs here have any information?

http://www.povonline.com/MadWorld.htm

Here's some Mad-Mad lore for you, Vdub! There's even a link at the bottom of the page concerning the running times.

I got a DVD of this recently and it looks like the "Standard" version is represented (letterboxed) and the "extras" include a multitude of out-takes/unused scenes from the above-mentioned 70mm workprint. Maybe one day the full roadshow version will be found. I'd love to see more of Buster Keaton's part.

Hope this helps.

[guy incognito]

Among its other virtues, Mad World offers a veritable cornocupia of cartoon VA cameos: Stan Freberg, Jim Backus, Arnold Stang, Marvin Kaplan, Sterling Holloway, Edward Everett Horton...

[Chow Hound]

Among its other virtues, Mad World offers a veritable cornocupia of cartoon VA cameos: Stan Freberg, Jim Backus, Arnold Stang, Marvin Kaplan, Sterling Holloway, Edward Everett Horton...

Don't forget Don Knotts! (Mr. Limpett, Scooby Doo)

[Barb Herholzer]

Don't forget Don Knotts! (Mr. Limpett, Scooby Doo)
And Jack Benny and Rochester (though they have no scenes together).

[Daff Doc]

Did Phil Silvers and Arnold Stang have any scenes together? If so then you have the inspiration for Top Cat AND the voice for Top Cat right there in one package! I wonder what Phil Silvers thought of Arnold Stang doing impersonations of him unless that was Arnold Stang playing Phil Silvers doing another mean impression of him!

Confusing, isn't it?:confused: :bugs2: :daffy: :bugs2:

[gilligan fanati]

Arnold Stang and Phil Silvers are together at the gas station scene

[Treadwell]

All you'd ever want to know about IAMMMMW versions and the ongoing restoration:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=116184 (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=116184&highlight=mad+world)

[The Silver Fox]

the movies theme has Lyics to it also, i have a copied cassette from a Shriells 8 track, that has the movie's theme song.

Was there rumer there was a remake of Mad mad world in prepoduction now?
I read Rat Race was a movies that was inspired by Mad mad mad world but is this true?
Anyone member the opening animations to the movie?

[gilligan fanati]

the movies theme has Lyics to it also, i have a copied cassette from a Shriells 8 track, that has the movie's theme song.

Was there rumer there was a remake of Mad mad world in prepoduction now?
I read Rat Race was a movies that was inspired by Mad mad mad world but is this true?
Anyone member the opening animations to the movie?

I have an MP3 of the theme with words. I can post it if anybody wants it

[guy incognito]

I read Rat Race was a movies that was inspired by Mad mad mad world but is this true?
Yes, there are definite similarities between the two. An even more blatant ripoff was Million Dollar Mystery, an '80s comedy feauring Tom Bosley (of "Happy Days" and Glad bag commercial fame) in the Jimmy Durante role.

Anyone member the opening animations to the movie?
Absitively! The great Saul Bass at his best.

One other thing that's always struck me about Mad World: although the film is (justly) known for its large allotment of cameo appearances, I can't help noticing just how many great film and TV comics were alive and/or working in 1963 but *didn't* appear in the movie: Steve Allen, Lucille Ball, George Burns, Art Carney, Charlie Chaplin, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Stan Laurel, Harold Lloyd, Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Vaughn Meader (his First Family comedy album was a huge hit around that time), Bob Newhart (ditto), Don Rickles, Peter Sellers, Red Skelton, Dick Van Dyke, Ed Wynn...or even Mel Blanc, for that matter!

[Treadwell]

I have mixed feelings about this film. It's great to see all those comedians, no question. And the score, taken on its own, is a great romp. But in the film itself it seems to be trying too hard, the music beating you over the head with "this is the funny part, folks!".

Also, a lot of the humor depends upon the audience knowing who the comedians are, rather than in the writing itself. That shot of the Three Stooges...if you didn't know who they were, what the hell would be so funny about that long, lingering shot of three old men?

But it's still fun, so....I dunno!