The Great Race

The great laugh show of all time!

A few years into the 20th century, a daredevil (Tony Curtis) talks auto manufacturers into promoting a race from New York to Paris; his arch-enemy, the dastardly Professor Fate (Jack Lemmon), becomes one of his competitors. Director Blake Edwards dedicated the film to Laurel & Hardy, but perhaps he was thinking of Wile E. Coyote & Road Runner. The movie often tries to resemble those old Warner cartoons. Spectacular and amusing, the movie is unfortunately also much too long, has far too many weak gags and sinks under its weight.

1965-U.S. 150 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Blake Edwards. Cinematography: Russell Harlan. Song: “The Sweetheart Tree” (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer). Cast: Tony Curtis (The Great Leslie), Natalie Wood (Maggie Dubois), Jack Lemmon (Professor Fate), Peter Falk, Keenan Wynn, Larry Storch.

Trivia: Charlton Heston was allegedly offered the role of The Great Leslie.

Oscar: Best Sound Effects.