IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD Screens At The Academy

On Monday evening the Academy presented a cast and crew reunion from director Stanley Kramer’s IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD. It was the inaugural film in “The Last 70mm Film Festival” series. The first guest I noticed at the reception was writer Bruce Vilanch wearing his Simpsons “Krusty the Clown” t-shirt. When I asked him about his choice of wardrobe he said, “because it was going to be a night filled with Clowns.” The evening was off to a fun start.

Script Supervisor Marshall Schlom, Casting Agent Lynn Stalmaster, Mrs Karen Kramer, and actors Marvin Kaplan, Barrie Chase, Carl Reiner, Jonathan Winters, and Mickey Rooney were all there at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The evening was hosted by surprise emcee Billy Crystal. As I moved about the filled room, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the Hollywood history that had gathered together. Some of the notable invited guests were Ed Begley Jr., Anne Jeffries, Lainie Kazan, Chuck McCann, Bruce Vilanch and Fred Willard.

I was most interested in speaking with Marshall Schlom and how he managed to keep track of all the actors’ and actresses’ scripts during the 166 day shoot. “It kept me on my toes. There was only one script. 258 pages. But with Stanley Kramer, it was easy. He already had in mind how he wanted the film to look. It was all very complex and Stanley shot for the edit – always did. Made it much easier once he went into the editing room.”

When I asked him who the funniest actor on the set of IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD was, Schlom answered with a chuckle, “Jonathan Winters. He kept us all in stitches. He’s a wonderful master of free association. One day while we were shooting, an Air Force officer came onto the set. He had a lot of men with him too. All very important – or so he thought. He had on his blue and grey uniform along with the hat. It looked very official. He goes to stand by Winters just to watch and Jonathan leans over to him and says ‘Where’d you park your bus? Where’s the Greyhound?’ He carried on with this line for a long time too until the guy just left.” (Laughs.)

I also ran into writer Tommy Cook. For the real movie geeks out there, Cook wrote the story for 1977’s ROLLERCOASTER. He’s just finished a followup to the movie titled WHITE KNUCKLES. He said it’s a “father/son story. With all the advances in 3D and IMAX, I’m going to have race cars within the rollercoaster.” He also said that he has a meeting to discuss the sequel with DreamWorks CEO and Co-Chair Stacey Snider.

Before the showing of IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD, Crystal introduced the panel by pointing to them and saying, “This is not JUDGMENT AT NURMEBERG.” The pristine looking film and the guests on stage were met with a standing ovation. Produced by Randy Haberkamp, the screening of the comedy epic gave the audience a night filled with hilarious laughs and old-time Hollywood class.

Watch these clips below where the surprise host and IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD’s crew and cast members talk about the making of the film and their fond memories of director Stanley Kramer.

“The Last 70mm Film Festival,” a six-film series, will run Mondays through August 13, showcasing 70mm classics from different genres as well as rarely screened 70mm short subjects. The remaining screenings in the series are:

Series passes and tickets for “The Last 70mm Film Festival” are now sold out. A standby line will form on the day of the event, and standby numbers will be assigned starting at approximately 5:30 p.m. Any available tickets will be distributed shortly before the program begins. Ticketholders should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the event to ensure a seat in the theater. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For the latest pre-show details call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

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