It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

The word “madcap” seems invented for the epic comedy It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, which follows a group of strangers as they match wits (and lack thereof) in pursuit of $350,000. The cast is a who’s who of American comedy from the era, including Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hackett, Jimmy Durante, and many more, plus Spencer Tracy as the police captain trying to find the missing loot. Featuring a stunning, animated opening credits sequence by Saul Bass and great location footage that preserves many of the now-developed stretches of southern California. (162 mins., 70mm)