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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Name: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Director: Stanley Kramer
Released: 1963
Duration: 192 min

Representation Score

3.5/10

Limited

1963

Director

Stanley Kramer

Runtime

192 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This ensemble comedy focuses on chaotic satire and critiques of capitalist greed, but it remains rooted in the restrictive casting norms of its time. The narrative centers on a homogeneous group of white, male characters, limiting the range of perspectives presented. Consequently, the film upholds traditional social hierarchies rather than challenging them. Ultimately, it studies greed through a narrow lens of mid-century social norms, lacking the broader representation seen in modern ensembles.

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Category Breakdown

Does It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to an assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender, with no exploration of queer identities or non-traditional gender roles.

How does It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World portray gender?

Limited

The story revolves around male characters who prioritize physical comedy and greed. Female characters have limited roles that reinforce traditional gender roles of the mid-20th century.

How racially and ethnically diverse is It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World?

Minimal

The cast is primarily white, reflecting the casting norms of 1963. There are no non-white protagonists or meaningful racial diversity.

How does It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film satirizes capitalism by showing greed as a source of moral decay. It critiques social stability through an absurd portrayal of chaos and greed.

Does It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World include disability representation?

Limited

Characters with disabilities are not represented, and physicality is used solely for slapstick comedy without giving these characters real depth.

Present on Screen

Provides a sharp critique of capitalism and the corrupting influence of wealth.
Uses satire and absurdity to comment on Western social structures.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, with a predominantly white cast.
Reinforces traditional gender roles by focusing on male characters and secondary female roles.
Does not include any meaningful LGBTQ+ representation or non-traditional gender identities.
Uses physicality for slapstick humor without giving characters with disabilities real depth.

Official Synopsis

A group of strangers come across a man dying after a car crash who proceeds to tell them about the $350,000 he buried in California. What follows is the madcap adventures of those strangers as each attempts to claim the prize for himself.

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