MovieChat Forums > It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) Discussion > I wonder if Lucille Ball was approached ...

I wonder if Lucille Ball was approached to be in it?

posted 9 years ago by CrashRiley
11 replies | jump to latest

It seems to me that Lucy was one of THE top comedians at the time who was not in the film.

I know that the filming was done during the summer months to better accomodate the schedules of all of the television stars who were in the movie, so it likely wouldn't have interfered with any of Lucy's T.V. work.

Maybe she wanted too much money? Maybe they never asked her at all? I think that she would have been great in the Ethel Merman part. If she just wanted a small part, like Jack Benny had, a quick cameo, that would have been fun, too.

[–] TongueFu 9 years ago

I'm glad the producers had the good sense not to ask her to do the film.
Lucy would have been horrible in it.

[–] Gum_Bercules 9 years ago

Because...?

Sometimes you have to specifically go out of your way to get into trouble... It's called fun.

[–] dagwooddreams 9 years ago

I have to agree that Lucille Ball would have ruined this movie. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby would have done nothing for it as well. I know Stanley Kramer asked alot of stars to be in it but many had either scheduling conflicts or wanted too much money. Jerry Lewis who was the biggest box office star at that time practically stole the movie with his cartoonish ten second
cameo.

[–] Andthatismytwocents 9 years ago

She was money was problem as with Jackie Gleason

And what about Bob Newhart and Carol Burnett?

[–] stevenackerman69 9 years ago

I don't know if she was approached. I'm sure they asked some people who turned it down for different reasons.

[–] mtw120 9 years ago

Screenwriter William Rose's first summary for Mad World suggested Lucille Ball as one of the main characters' female companion. Either money or other commitments kept her out of the movie. Ditto for just about every other "such-and-such should have been in 'Mad World'" that you can think of.

[–] AndersonWhitbeck 8 years ago

Lucy had her hit TV Show and was running Desilu

[–] hotbird_p38 8 years ago

Kramer asked Groucho, but Groucho wanted way too much money. Buddy Hackett was paid 150K for his part.

[–] caladon 8 years ago

I doubt both would've gone for it, but I think a funny cameo could've been written for both Lucy and Desi. As all the main characters start racing for the money, they almost collide with a couple pulling a long, long trailer. After screeching to a halt after the near miss, the couple look at each other and say:

Husband: Well Taci?

Wife: You're right Nicky, 10 years of this is enough, let's sell this thing before it gets us killed.

Jesus is the Son of God and my Lord and savior. Pretty cool.

[–] pad264 8 years ago

I doubt both would've gone for it, but I think a funny cameo could've been written for both Lucy and Desi. As all the main characters start racing for the money, they almost collide with a couple pulling a long, long trailer. After screeching to a halt after the near miss, the couple look at each other and say:

Husband: Well Taci?

Wife: You're right Nicky, 10 years of this is enough, let's sell this thing before it gets us killed.

Hah! Well done. That would have been great.

"My only enemy is time." - Charles Chaplin
http://paulopicks.blogspot.com/

[–] Kingactor30 8 years ago

When this film was being made (spring thru fall 1962), Lucy was completely devoted to and involved in the making of "The Lucy Show." There is no way she could have done this film and her show at the same time. Her show was her priority. It's possible she could have done a cameo, but again, scheduling could have been an issue. Also remember, it was this time Desi Arnaz was stepping down as president of Desilu leaving Lucy in charge to run the studio. With running the studio and doing a weekly series, there's just no way she could have done this film.