Great Race, The

Download Great Race, The
(action, adventure, comedy, family, musical, sport)

Professional daredevil and white-suited hero, The Great Leslie, convinces turn-of-the-century auto makers that a race from New York to Paris (westward across America, the Bering Straight and Russia) will help to promote automobile sales. Leslie's arch-rival, the mustached and black-attired Professor Fate vows to beat Leslie to the finish line in a car of Fate's own invention. The Blake Edwards style of slapstick and song originated with this movie. A dedication to Laurel and Hardy appears at the beginning of the film. Edwards' tribute to Stan and Ollie can be seen most clearly in the interaction between Professor Fate and his cohort Max, as well as in the operatic Pottsdorf pie fight..

actors:

Jack Lemmon as Professor Fate/Prince Hapnik
Tony Curtis as Leslie 'The Great Leslie' Gallant III
Natalie Wood as Maggie DuBois
Peter Falk as Maximillian 'Max' Meen
Keenan Wynn as Hezekiah Sturdy
Arthur O'Connell as Henry Goodbody
Vivian Vance as Hester Goodbody
Dorothy Provine as Lily Olay
Larry Storch as Texas Jack
Ross Martin as Baron Rolfe von Stuppe
George Macready as General Kuhster
Marvin Kaplan as Frisbee
Hal Smith as Mayor of Boracho
Denver Pyle as Sheriff
William Bryant as Baron's guard
directors:
Blake Edwards
rating:7.00

See also: Action: In the Line of Fire