MovieChat Forums > It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) Discussion > If not already mentioned

If not already mentioned

posted 9 years ago by Andthatismytwocents
6 replies | jump to latest

What would the charges have been on all

Reckless driving for all as well as desecration of a public park

BUT Dingy and Benjy Probably the least They did not destroy as much as the others
Though they aided the pilots drunkeness the pilot put Benjy in charge of the plane

Sid Ceaser Destroyed a hardware store and a Chinese Laundry

Johnathan Winters Destroyed a gas station failed delivery of truck shipment auto theft

Milton Berle Rent a car destruction Possible assult of Government officail or some capacity

Terry Thomas was from an Air Force Base

Sylvester Threats to one of many primarily Berle

Phil Silvers Auto Theft aiding in destruction of gas station damage to apartment

Cab Drivers Reckless driving as mentioned

Terry Thomas Loss of government veichle loss of rental car

Spencer Tracy well Irresponsiblity Destruction of Property(pet shop) Lying to city officials Bad Police Work

Anything else?

[–] steely3000 9 years ago

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Well as you said the main characters who drove were all going to get reckless driving charges...Berle, Winters, Caesar, and Rooney for their speeding around on the curving road, forcing at least two accidents; Silvers for his driving in the stolen vehicle to get to the park; Shawn for his driving Thomas off the road and beforehand; Thomas the same (though he was being chased by Shawn, which may be an excuse); the cabbies who drove after Tracy instead of perhaps stopping and notifying the police; and of course Tracy who was fleeing with the money.

Also Winters, Berle, Rooney, Hackett, and Caesar all withheld evidence at the original accident; they did not tell Officer Fell exactly what Durante's dying confession was.

There were several examples of assault and battery; Winters (on Silvers), Thomas and Berle on Merman, as well as each other; Merman on Winters (and inadvertently Caesar) with her purse; Shawn on Berle and Thomas. Also "Ray and Irwin" who assaulted Winters (being egged on by Silvers). Also Silvers was thrown into a hole by Shawn and Winters, and bashed by Merman's purse.

One big crime was by Backus, who drank heavily while flying an airplane, got drunk and almost got (at least) 3 people killed, including himself. I'm sure he would never be allowed to operate any vehicle again.

I don't feel what Winters did to the gas station and its owners, or stealing the truck, would be a crime, as he was trying to escape being held captive by then. Also Caesar and Adams had to try anything to get out of that cellar, as they had tried setting off a burglar alarm. I think if I were trapped in a cellar I would do anything to get out as well. (Since the police decided not to let the Crumps out of the cellar, they are as much to fault for all the damage, and I'm sure the city had to pay dearly for it.)

Plus all the people who were at the "Big W" would be accused of withholding evidence of a crime or some such charge, including Provine, who pretty much did nothing wrong.

And Jerry Lewis for reckless driving and deliberately destroying a hat.

[–] holbrookp 9 years ago

In the extended version on the Criterion DVD, there's a scene where Sylvestor runs out and jumps in the red convertible to go help his mom, and the woman he was with runs out to stop him, saying the car is her husband's (or father's?), so his crimes include auto theft.

"All necessary truth is its own evidence." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

[–] steely3000 9 years ago

This is true. Sylvester didn't seem to care about doing anything above the law...he drove like a total maniac in a stolen car, drove his brother-in-law and a stranger (to him) off the road. Threw the stranger into a ditch and tried to kill his brother-in-law. In his short time in the story, he did a lot of bad stuff.

[–] Altho73 9 years ago

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And Jerry Lewis for reckless driving and deliberately destroying a hat.
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Driving over a hat that has fallen onto the road can hardly be described as a crime or a traffic offense!!! Let's be reasonable here.

[–] pizzabagel 9 years ago

Captain Culpepper: "Get that fella's number! Get his number!"

Exactly like your father! A big, stupid, muscle-headed moron!

[–] steely3000 9 years ago

Yes but he deliberately crossed like 2 lanes of traffic to purposely run over the hat. He may not be charged with a crime, but a cop loyal to Culpepper would remember that and beat the crud out of Jerry.