The 50th Anniversary of the filming of the film “It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World” with several of it’s original cast and crew took place on Monday, July 9th at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills.
On hand for the grand reunion were legendary comedian and actor Jonathan Winters who played “Lenny Pike” in the film, legendary actor Mickey Rooney who played “Dingy Bell” in the film, director and writer for many famous television series- Carl Reiner and several others.
The panel discussion that proceeded the screening of the movie was hosted by famous comedian and actor Billy Crystal. Billy kept the discussion lively and spoke of how this film was the best way he and his brother we
re able to deal with their mother’s death the same year of 1963 when the film was released.
Jonathan Winters spoke of how he joined the Navy and learned to shoot straight and how his mother though he’d run away for the weekend which stretched into 3 years. This was part of The Last 70 Millimeter Film Festival which the Academy has been hosting over 2 weeks in July. It was explained that only about 9 films were made in this Panavision format.
The film was directed by Stanley Kramer and this whole reunion and screening was made possible by Karen Kramer, widow of Mr Kramer.
Jonathan Winters and Mickey Rooney seemed quite happy to be among the invitees to this historic celebration.
Note: More photos can be found onli
ne at www.photos.oscars.org
