''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'', 1963 - art by Jack Davis

A vintage movie poster of ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'', a classic American comedy film released in 1963, directed by Stanley Kramer. The film... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'', 1963 - art by Jack Davis

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage movie poster of ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'', a classic American comedy film released in 1963, directed by Stanley Kramer. The film is known for its ensemble cast of comedic legends from the era and its epic scope. It's considered one of the most ambitious and sprawling comedies of its time.

The plot revolves around a group of strangers who, after witnessing a car accident, learn from the dying driver about a hidden treasure buried under a "big W" in a distant California park. The dying man's cryptic instructions set off a madcap race among the various characters, each with their own eccentric personalities and motives, to be the first to claim the treasure, which is rumored to be a substantial sum of money.

The ensemble cast includes some of the most well-known comedians of the era, such as Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, and many others. Each character in the film has their unique quirks and comedic traits, leading to a series of hilarious and often slapstick situations as they pursue the buried treasure.

"It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" is known for its over-the-top physical comedy, elaborate stunts, and chase sequences that involve everything from cars to planes to ladder trucks. The film's humor is characterized by its fast pace and absurdity, and it's often cited as an example of a "screwball comedy."

The film received positive reviews upon its release and was a box office success. It also won an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing and was nominated for several other Oscars, including Best Film Editing and Best Cinematography. Over the years, it has gained a cult following and remains a beloved classic in the comedy genre.

"It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" is not only remembered for its humor but also for its epic scale and the impressive gathering of comedic talent, making it a must-see for fans of classic comedy cinema.

About the artist:

Jack Davis (December 2, 1924 – July 27, 2016) was an American cartoonist and illustrator known for designing magazine covers, film posters, album art, and numerous comic book stories. He was a founding cartoonist for "Mad" magazine in 1952 and became one of the publication’s most prolific illustrators for 60 years.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he created artwork for numerous comedy films, including "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," "American Graffiti," and Woody Allen's "Bananas."

Davis was inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame for his contributions to illustration art in 2003.

Uploaded

January 26th, 2022