It's the 60th anniversary of the movie (1963-2023)

This was probably the first movie I saw without a grownup. I think I was 10 or 11. My cousin and I were staying at my grandmother’s house and I guess we sere getting on her nerves. She called the theater to confirm the time, gave us some money, and off we went. It was one of the funniest movies I ever saw, and I tried to watch it whenever it was on tv.
I actually bought the movie on dvd. I think I will watch it tomorrow.

Great movie. Too bad it won't play/load.

From the moment Jimmy Durante kicks the bucket at the beginning of the movie It's Off to the Races! All the stars are an absolute Delight. Jonathan Winters facial expressions alone make you roar. Your sides will ache by the end of this movie from laughing. Ethel Merman is a special delight. It's long but I bet you watch this movie more than once!

I wrote the following for the Criterion Edition of this very movie on my Amazon review page:

I never had the opportunity to see this grand old film on that big ass screen (as in Cinerama big-ass) and not even in a standard movie theater! It was the small screen of the TV for my first encounter with this monster. Yet, despite the considerable screen size issue, the film exploded all over the box before my wider eyes and ears like Godzilla dirty dancing through Tokyo! Of course, any kid of my age and time will obviously remember that scene where Jonathan Winters beats up those two poor gas jockeys and their precious gas station. It’s a comedic feat that The Three Stooges and Charlie Chaplin would have loved to do (though the Stooges would have their own moment in the sun later in the film).

You’ve no doubt have heard read and seen all that grandiose spectacle that Stanley Kramer managed to pull off in this film and probably heard many scream for a Criterion treatment on this monster. Well, you’re reading this. I hope you’re freakin’ happy!

This set provides much muchness for a film that’s well known for its Muchness. Two film versions and in both formats of DVD and Blue-Ray….extras included for a total of five discs! Much Much and Mucher….it is not for the novice, unless you’re curious to see how certain people obsess over a movie; the film commentary in the extended version provided by three “aficionados” (i. e. fanboys who get paid for a living) provide a incredible amount of information overload that passes the border of fetish that John Waters might find interesting.

Fortunately, one of these “aficionados” does offer a simple and important piece of information from under the weight: show the short version first to any innocent loved one to see if they’re will to climb that Criterion mountain with you!

As for the extras? The commercials produced by the great Stan Freberg are a hoot and the 2012 Last 70MM Film Festival reunion is a lot of fun. Everything else is pending on what interests you…which is not a bad thing as this package is so big, it was enough room for many interest. I really don’t have to go any further on this topic; it’s Criterion, the crack dealer for cinemphiles everywhere. If you don’t get it, you’ll never understand…..or want to.

As for the film itself? The film may not be as funny, it is as, if not more, crazy and spectacular as its ads loudly proclaim! If you got a Blue-Ray player with a VERY large TV, you are in for a ride and a serious case of motion sickness! Good luck!

This is such a classic comedy with a cast that included everybody that was anybody at the time. Get comfortable, is is LONG, and we'll worth the time. I think this is one of the funniest campy comedies that I've ever seen. Depending upon the viewer's age, a lot of funny references may be lost, but it's a great long laugh out loud film!