The Great Race (1965)

Release date: 1965-12-17
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: Blake Edwards
Production Co: Warner Bros., Patricia, Jalem Productions
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Romance, Western
Rating: 7.2/10
Length: 2h 40min

Storyline

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.

Plot Keywords

alaska, prince, polar bear, paris france, outlaw, organ, mayor, kiss, kidnapping, jealousy, saloon singer, sheriff, parody, on the road, mechanic, food fight, duel, train, swimming, submarine

Short Review

Lemmon plays it dirty throughout and for huge effect. Curtis underplays for equally comic effect. Wood comes through on a par with the two male stars.