MovieChat Forums > The Great Race (1965) Discussion > Jack Lemmon is BRILLIANT

Jack Lemmon is BRILLIANT

posted 17 years ago by MissSugarKane
4 replies | jump to latest

The Great Race (1965) is one of my favourite ever Lemmon movies. Lemmon was so fantastic and I love it when he just "runs wild" with some of his characters, just like Professor Fate and Prince Hapnick! I love the fact that Jack was able to carry off the Dick Dastardly-type character in this Wacky Races-type film! And I just love also the fact that Natalie Wood looked simply gorgeous as the Penelope Pitstop-type character too!

I watched TGR for the millionth time today and I still fall off the sofa laughing! Lemmon had such wonderful chemistry with Natalie Wood and it's always a joy to see Lemmon reunited with Tony Curtis after they did Some Like It Hot (1959).

Wow. I love this movie!

Jack Lemmon: America's Sweetheart
"It's Magic Time"

[–] movieluvr4 17 years ago

I totally agree! The Great Race is another example of Lemmon's charisma and effortless humor. He completely steals the show! I find myself laughing out loud every time I watch this movie. Though some of the humor is predictable, I can't help but laugh. Lemmon's timing and delivery are seamless.

"Brandy! Throw more brandy, throw brandy! More brandy! Brandy!"

[–] JimVines 16 years ago

The Great Race has been one of my all-time favorite movies since the first time I saw it in the early-70s. What a wonderfully entertaining film! Yes, Lemmon is quite spectacular playing duel roles. He shoulda won an Oscar! I had the pleasure of meeting both Lemmon and Curtis years ago and was able to tell them how much I loved them in this truly classic comedy.

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[–] vader1284 16 years ago

Lemmon is incredible in this film. As fine a comedic performance as one will ever see. So many classic lines come out of his mouth.

When I was young, I thought it so strange that Lemmon is billed ahead of Curtis considering Curtis' standing in Hollywood and Lemmon's character being the villain. However, after seeing the movie again (and again, and again) as an adult I totally understand. The charisma between Lemmon and Faulk is awesome. They should have become a comedy team of their own.

[–] percommode 16 years ago

I'm so glad you were able to let those two fine actors let them know how you felt about the film - I only wish I could have done so too. I've always loved it and I must have seen it a dozen times. It's always made me laugh, there's always some little something thing that I forget that tickles me when I see it and I thought the casting and direction was terrific.

All the stars were very generous with their performances, there seemed to be very little ego on show and everybody seemed to have had such a good time on location that it's reflected in the film itself. Jack Lemmon was a hoot.

A very funny, old-fashioned film that has a lot of class.