Special Thanks

The film paid a little tribute to Laurel and Hardy because 1965 (the year The Great Race was released) was the year that Stan Laurel died. You may notice little references in the slapstick comedy between Jack Lemmon (as Professor Fate) and Peter Falk (as Max) - for instance when the Professor falls down a drain due to Max driving off with the trampoline he was supposed to land on and of course, the Professor getting his fingers caught in the pericope of a submarine! Very funny slapstick moments which were added as a tribute to Laurel and Hardy, due to his passing.

Blake Edwards was keen on directing scenes with inspiration from silent movies so it seemed a good idea to interpret some silent-inspired comedy into The Great Race. And it was indeed a brilliant idea and so when Laurel died as they were making it, Blake thought now was the ideal chance to pay a tribute; I absolutely adore every aspect of The Great Race and I enjoy it immensely!


Marilyn Monroe: I don't want to be rich. I just want to be wonderful.