It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World - Filming Locations (2011) 

Great job! Listen, I think he deserves an extra share from all of us. After all, it was he who found it. Yes, I insist HE get's an extra share!

You did a very good job putting this video together. Bravo!

One of my guilty pleasures.Terry Thomas and Jim Backus are hysterical. No one will ever assemble a cast of talent like that again.

This was exactly what I sought. Thank you for doing a wonderful job, and being all about the MOVIE that made fall in love with THE MOVIES as a thing. So glad it has that effect on people even now. IAMMMMW almost could have been a mess- like Skidoo! or others- but instead, everything about that film, including the locations, is pitch-perfect. Hail to you on an homage beautifully done, that also answers several questions I've had since moving to So Cal a few years ago.

This happens to be my fave movie too. Your vid is a great tribute to the film, a real labour of love finding those locations. My dear Aunt Shirley used to tell me this story in her own words when I was a child, it was the first story I ever heard. It became a ritual to watch this amazing film at least once a year together. Her fave line was 'he just sailed right on out there', I've the feeling it's probably yours' too by the way you say it! My fave character has to be Sylvester, a difficult conclusion to come to given the brilliant acting by all, but his 'I'm comin' to get you mamma!' gets me every time. Best wishes from London!

The big W !!!! Good work dude !!!! This video was nice.

Thanks SO much for doing this video!

great location hunting....I really like finding the exact spots!....thanks for your work doing this!

So now, there's only one way to figure it. You're The Best!

I'm 72 and I've loved this movie since it came out in 1963. I'm thrilled you answered what became of the "W." Thank you!

I was born in 1950, so I remember seeing the original film on the big screen. And, in those days, it was a BIG screen, unlike today's theaters that have 14 screens in a single building. I have no idea how many times I've seen the film since. I have a VHS copy of the original 3 hour edit. I've noticed that more recent DVD releases have trimmed about 20 minutes out out of the film. I've seen the original so many times that I notice the gaps in the new edit. Stanley Kramer proved to the world that he could make a comedy. It will forever remain a classic.

One of the greatest comedies ever made with the greatest cast ever assembled. Too bad they don't make movies like this anymore.

Absolutely love how the cat followed him out there, the most adorable tour guide

Grew up watching this film with my dad and we both still fall about laughing whenever we watch it! It's a reminder of a golden generation of comedic actors and some of the best one-liners I've heard in a comedy... "Every man, INCLUDING the old bag, for himself!" "Yeah and every woman for HIMself!"

My dear friend, you did make me go to tears...... I´d love to shake hands with you some day....... we just happen to be absolute fans of one of the greatest movie pictures of all time...... best,.......

Having worked 40 years in HOLLYWOOD I got to know a lot about IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD... knew the locations, met so many cast and crew, and even worked at Universal where all the stage scenes were shot, as well as the big exterior fire escape scene was shot. I was a big fan indeed, knew Carey Loftin who was HOLLYWOOD's best car/truck stunt driver... yes, worked on several documentaries about MAD WORLD's making... indeed, I was blessed!

This my favorite movie!!! The stunts are incredible, the cast is superb. Ethel Merman is the best mother-in-law ever. This movie never gets old. Thank you for sharing

Awesome video. I happen to have the privilege of living across the street from the scene where everybody catches up with Spencer Tracy as Buster Keaton is backing him into the garage at the harbor. That scene is on Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard. Buddy Hackett does mention it during the movie. The building is long gone but the retailing wall is still there, it's now kiddie beach, and the bathrooms sit about where the garages were. I walk here every day and always think that all those stars were right here 54 yrs ago. all at once. Several of the houses that were in the background are still here. Thanks!!!!

I want to personally thank you for this video. I was once doing research on the internet (goggle maps, forums ..) about this location and how much it had changed. I'm glad I was not the only one who came up with such an idea !! :) Greetings from Spain

OMG..... so jealous 👌 Actually standing where the Big W actually stood. I take my hat off to you sir.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Since a kid I've loved this movie.It's a shame how OVER-developed Southern California has become.The beauty is gone.

Kinda sad to see that there's not much left of the big W, but it's still cool that you were able to find at least a little bit of remaining evidence of its existence.

Makes me want to cry these great actors all gone, seen it in the late 60's at a free matinee in the summer have never laughed so hard, just watched it to night that is why I am here was wondering if the Big W was still there.

Baby's comming to save you momma 😭

Without a doubt, one of the best Comedy movies ever!

It’s nice to see someone so young, who was born way after this movie was made, that has appreciation and enthusiasm for a such a classic Hollywood film.

Jim Backus: “I cahn’t see, I cahn’t see !”

Always liked that movie. Some rather gutsy stunts in it, especially flying the plane into the billboard.

One of my all time faves .. still have this on video cassette . The GREAT RACE with jack lemon and tony curtis is another great comedy.

My favorite part is when Sid Caesar ask Jimmy Durante if he thinks he's hurt after flying over the cliff. Jimmy's best line in the movie was "Is he kidding?"

Smiler Grogan's car was a blue convertible. The crashed red truck you found probably belonged to the African-American couple. After their frightening tumble down the mountainside the man stated:, "I said it before and I'll say it again, 'I didn't want to move to California.,". remember that scene?

I was in my pajamas in a station wagon with my family at the drive in movie theatre in Syracuse NY. Only thing I remember about my first movie prior to falling asleep was Smiler Grogan sailing out there and kicking the bucket. One of my very favorite movies for many reasons. Fantastic investigative work, thank you.

"IT'S UNDER... A BIG... APOSTROPHE!!"

I worked with a guy named John about 15 years ago and he said he saw this movie at the drive in 5 times in 1963 with various friends. He said he could hear so many people in their cars cracking up and honking their horns during the movie because everyone loved it. He said everytime he went it was packed. Even to this day he said he never heard such an audience reaction to a movie before or after this movie. He is in his eighties now but he said it was the best time he ever at the movies it was a lot of fun he said.

Dude, this video is awesome. Thanks for taking the time. All the best brother. ❤

This is my Dad's all-time favorite movie, and over time it became one of mine too and has great sentimental value to me. Thank you for shooting this video

Dude, this was awesome. The W stump at the end was fantastic. I'm glad it remains.

I saw this movie when it came out - intermission and all! It was a HUGE deal!

Great job! When I was a kid we used to go to the Desert Air resort and airport for breakfast on weekends. That's where they filmed Jim Backus drunk and asleep on the pool table before they took off in the King Air. The Rancho Las Palmas resort is there now, in Rancho Mirage. The runway was grass and was in the White Water River channel.

I'm 7 years late but thank you for finding all those locations. This was probably my favorite slapstick comedy of all time! I think I'll watch it again tonight.

I live in SoCal and it’s not that uncommon to come across palms that have been planted in the shape of a W. There’s at least 3 of them that I’ve run across over the years, and every time I drive past them I yell out, “Its a Big Dubbayew!” But no one else in the car ever gets it.

First saw this in the theater when it came out. Just a kid then, but I’ve loved it ever since. One of the two or three funniest movies I’ve ever seen.

The gas station scene is one of my favorite scenes from ANY movie! I still remember watching this as a kid with my family, and how we all laughed so hard at that we couldn't speak! Little did I know then that in the future I'd be 1500 miles away living on that mountain (Mt. San Jacinto). That part of Hwy 74 is still very desolate. Smiley's car was left there after the shooting, and remained there for years. I've got "neighbors" who remember going there and taking souvenirs from the car, so parts of it likely still live in the "yard art" of Poppet Flats. I live on the north-facing side of the mountain off Hwy 243. It's even more snaky and dangerous than 74, but not as remote so wouldn't have been good for filming. 243 gets used most often for high-end sports-car commercials, though! Any zippy, shiny machine looks good flying around those curves, but it's annoying to us who live here those days because they have to shut down the road for filming. I'd like to register my property for a possible film location. It's 20 acres with a fantastic view of the Banning Pass and the Palm Spring wind turbines that stretch for miles. I have no neighbors, and my house is off-grid so there's no power lines, either. I even have a herd of adorable friendly goats who aren't camera shy! It's also only a mile from the site of the Esperanza Fire tragedy. Five firefighters died trying to save my neighbor's house in 2006. I got these goats to keep our house safe, and it's worked so far. There was another horrible fire in 2013, and my son and I were trapped out here and had to shelter in place. Our goats did such a good job of removing fuel (brush) that it never reached the house. We were safe, and so were the 2 fire engine companies that came and stayed with us 4 hours during that inferno. The captain was impressed, before they left he told me, "Your goats SAVED your ass!" Here's the newest goat babies, born the day after a helicopter crash killed Kobe, his daughter and others. It's a boy and a girl, so I named them "Mamba" and "GiGi". It's easier to remember names if I name them after celebrities, so we also have; Stevie (Nicks), Walter (White), Venus (Williams), Snoop (Dogg), Frankie (Sinatra), Johnny and June (Cash)... Here's Mamba and GiGi last week with Mama Venus: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gZwVfomchUg.html

how this video just shows up randomly in my feed to one of my favorite movies answering questions i've been wondering about for years is beyond me. but i'm dang sure glad it did. think i'll watch the movie now. thanks dude.

THANK YOU. Thank you for sharing this. How incredible it must have been to stand on such hallowed ground, on the property that used to be the park, and be in those locations we know so well. Agreed. There is something about this movie that makes it special. It impacted my life the first time I saw it either in the late 1970's or early 1980's on television. I never tire of watching it. California back then was so incredible. There is a video on here of the city locations as well, and the buildings are mostly all gone, replaced by skyscrapers or other tall, modern buildings. The "quaintness" of California is gone forever. Thanks again for taking the time. I love how you matched up the landscapes to verify locations. There will never be another movie like this one, and THAT California is gone forever.

Thanks, I enjoyed this video. Also it is heartening to know younger fans of this movie are out there. Aunt Belle says it does make a difference. (grin)

Thank you for making this video. This is my favorite movie of all time.

That film is embedded in the cosy times. Most actors, from this film, are gone now. Happy to see this film in color and proper resolution, now. It is one of my favourite films. How the filming spots have changed since then.

My dad took me to see this movie when it first came out. It's a bit sad seeing the original sights. That caliber of people are long gone.

Love it when you quoted the film when you saw that stump!

I have the "complete" directors cut of this movie on DVD, ALL the edited scenes are in the movie. Its about 3:05/10 minuets long in its entirety

Mad Mad Mad Mad World lives on.

Thanks, I remember seeing this with mom and dad at the brand new L.A. Cinerama dome in 1963. What a different California we truly had, a real Shan Gri La back then.

'Mad, Mad World' is the ultimate comfort food for me as a kid growing up in Southern California and having visited with my parents most of the movie's locations as they looked in the early 60's. I even watched as they filmed some of the driving stunts in downtown Long Beach where I grew up. In my adult life, I worked for a time in the building, again in downtown Long Beach, that was used for the climax when the pursuers gain access to the roof and begin climbing down the fire escape. I would even retrace their steps on the roof during my lunch break. Yes, watching 'Mad World' brings back a lot of wonderful memories.

According to a Katharine Hepburn biography Spencer Tracy had places all over Hollywood where he would disappear to whenever he went on a binge. Hepburn often tailed him to these locations to make certain he was safe. It wasn't unusual for staff of many Hollywood hotels to find the Katharine Hepburn sleeping on a blanket in the hallway outside of Tracy's hotel room doors. During one of his binges Tracy crashed his car in a neighborhood where Rock Hudson lived and Hudson helped him get out of the vehicle. Tracy brushed passed Hudson and stumbled his way toward a bungalow he rented in the neighborhood. Hudson called Hepburn and told her to get over there. They forced their way into its garage and found Tracy on a cot. Hepburn sat with Tracy and held his hand while Hudson called an ambulance. Tracy's last moments were similar to that of Smiler Grogan. Hepburn used the role of Queen Eleonore of Aquitaine in the film "The Lion in Winter" to vent her grief over Tracy's death. She sheds actual tears throughout the film and one of its final scenes is very poignant when she breaks and says "I want to die! Henry, I want to die!".

I was just a kid in Australia when that was the Wednesday night movie one night in 1979. Watched it from the couch on my side but got up on my elbow when I seen those big 'W' trees. Fantastic moment for an 11 year old and I'll never forget it...

Holley cow what a fantastic find! I simply can't believe you found the remains of The 'Big W' not to mention some of those other locations. I saw this film when it was first released in the UK when I was a kid (I'm in my 60's now) and I still get watery eyes every time they discover the Big W. I can't imagine how many times I've watched the film and I never run the intermission part on as I just adore listening to the music, it's so evocative. This must sound weird but whenever I'm on holiday and there are Palm trees at my location I look to see if I can replicate a photo of the Big W! I'm in Tenerife as I write this and there are lots of Palm trees surrounding our pool and I've managed to get a reasonably decent shot of 4 palms close together......I guess this just proves I'm a Mad Mad Mad Mad fan!!!

I watched the movie when i was a kid on tv and the best part is the end when Ethel Merman's character slips in falls on the floor and everyone starts laughing hysterically never fails to make me laugh great vlog 😁

Does anybody know what the actual lenght of the movie is? I read that the original cut was 210 minutes, but that it was lost, and the longest restored version is 197mn.

Many, many thanks for this wonderful story. Saw the film at the Cinedome Theater on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood in 1963. One of my all-time favorites. We now live in eastern Ventura County, about three miles from the site of the former Rancho Conejo Tower and airfield. Old Fashioned, anyone?

Saludos desde Argentina congratulations!!

I'm just thrilled that there is part of a tree stump still remaining from the big W, after all these years . Kind of a small memorial to a long gone era. How cool is that.

I was 6 when my uncle took myself and my cousins to see this movie at the drive in. I was 6 years old and laughed myself to tears. Great video my friend, thanks !

My friend,greetings from London. The film is one of my favourite films of all time. Great ensemble of comedians. Watched it few days ago on the Emirates flight ✈ I laughed so much. Thankyou so much for the location filming,its one of my dreams to visit all the sites in California. Really amazing video mate,made my day!

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢 𝘔𝘢𝘥, 𝘔𝘢𝘥, 𝘔𝘢𝘥, 𝘔𝘢𝘥 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 was my dad's favorite movie too. The last time he and I watched it together was around Christmas time several years ago when it was on Turner Classic Movies. This is such a great tribute to the movie and brought back lots of great memories. Thank you!

The fight scene with Jonathan Winters at the gas station is brilliant. It’s one of those laugh till you cry moments in this great movie. Love it.

I saw this 1st time age 9 (1970) and it's been one of my favs forever 😊 thanks for posting!

Great video! I'm a fan of your other stuff, but only just found out about this channel, and really appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm in documenting film history as well.

Never give up my friend...im still finding Jaws artifacts on Marthas Vineyard

You video is good enough to be included in the extras of the DVD!!!!

I recognized the intersection of Las Virgenes and Mulholland Highway, as well as, at one point, the cars turn from northbound on Old Malibu Road to southbound on PCH in the Malibu area by Pepperdine.

this will always remind me of my youth, its great how film and the score can take you back, i love this movie, was great to watch when the sun was shining :)

Fantastic, thanks so much. Our family favorite when I grew up I introduce my husband to it and now we recite lines from this movie for appropriate situations and we just crack up and no one knows what the heck were talking about, lol. I hope it's not under a waterfall.

Funniest movie ever

Buddy Hackett: " Listen we figgid it 17 different ways but ohh no it was no good. Cause no matter how we Figgid it. Some body didn't like the way we figgid it. So now theres only one last way to figgid it. and thats. Every man ,Including the old bag fr himself!! Mickey Runney: So good luck and may the best man win. Buddy Hacket: Right except you lady. May you just. DROP DEAD!!!! FUCKING HILARITY, they don't mak'em like that anymore

Funny as hell. The image that stays in my mind is that darned ladder on the fire truck where they're flying back and forth! Bahahahaha!

5:41 Watching this movie with my parents when I was a kid, I could never understand why they busted out in laughter when Smiler died and literally kicked the bucket.... When I watched it again when I was older I absolutely lost it when I got to that part because I was old enough to get the joke LMAO!!!!

Whenever it comes on TCM I am glued to my seat, and will replay it several times before it goes off. Thanks so much for the revisit.

Love it when Jerry Lewis makes a beeline for Spencer Tracy’s hat and the scene where Ethel Merman yells at Jack Benny

Did you ever make it out to Valley Center & THe Crossroads?

I really want to know what was that sound effect he was using in 11:17

Could the pickup truck be the one with the chicken coops that was run off the road and the man says "I didn't want to move to California"?

Bravo mate!!! Ive been a fan forever, too young when premiered 1962, but have dvd, etc now to ENJOY repeatedly! AWESOME indeed your investigation! I've always wanted to do that wondering what one could find from this classic best comedy movie ever! Love your set up finding the remaining palm tree stump! Indeed, all that talent in one movie, minus Lucy Ball, that would have been quite the addition back then. Miss all that talent, sadly not with us now and no talents now to equal them!!! The Big W remains in our hearts now in 2020 for fans still!! Rumors years ago that Palm trees should be replanted, but if is private land owners not encourage trespassing fans, as I would lead the pack back there!! Thanks for posting mate and may we all find that Big W in our life journeys!!!

70 now. I grew up in SoCal. I Love this movie. It's silly and funny. Best part...I literally know EVERY location, in the movie. So much fun to watch, and remenice. I am so lucky to be of the generation that got to grow up and experience, the entire SoCal life, when if was sooo good!!! Truly sad what has happened to it. Still live here, for the weather. But the true Hollywood days, are...sadly, long gone. It's crazy that an entire world, gets destroyed by greed, and stupid policies and politics. L.A......WAS, truly paradise at one time. Thankful that I was here to live it and enjoy it.

Check to see if the remaining Big W stump is set in concrete because a palm tree will never grow like that naturally. It may start off crooked but will always straighten up and grow vertically, never growing at a consistent straight angle as it is in the movie. The palm trees had to be set in concrete for the movie. There was no other way.

I was lucky enough to take some photos of some of the Long Beach sites, where Hotel/Apartment Bldg rear entrance was when they all run into the building.....not sure if those buildings are still there, it was the early 1980's

Love this movie "Some kid might stumble over it in the dark" hahahahahaha

Very cool!! Big fan of the movie!

Back in the 70’s I used to walk past that gate all the time on the way to the beach. One day I saw a tiny poodle puppy running loose in the street almost getting hit by cars! I ran out and saved it, but not being able to take it home I looked around and I saw that big arch and gate and thought “ that’s a nice place to live” I managed to wiggle the big wooden gates open just far enough and I slipped the little guy through. Suddenly a very angry woman appeared demanding to know just what I was doing fooling around with her gate, I told he about the dog, but she didn’t see it at first. Luckily the dog popped up at her feet, she swooped him up with lots of kisses and thanked me for saving the little guys life, but not before I noticed what was on the property behind her…an enormous “W” created with palm trees! I recognized it immediately!!! I was in college at the time, I’m 66 now and will never forget that crazy afternoon!!! 🌴🌴🌴🌴

maybe the pickup at the bottom of the hill was the truck Rodchester and his movie wife were in?

Great to know about the big W. That movie was one of my best highlights of my childhood. Saw it in Mexico first time on 1968 and then several times and still enjoy it. Thank you for going through great efforts to bring us this kind of joy.

I wanna make a request....If you guys ever get the money for it.....Please, do a Location Tour of Who Framed Roger Rabbit

classic film hope the rest of that w will stay there it still means something

Fantastic job on your homework. I too got a tear during your stump scene. I know they don't let anyone in there. Kudos. Best comedy ever. Ranks with Airplane for me. Thanks for posting. And rock on Big 4 brutha 🤘😎🤘

That stump needs a bronze plaque!

I just finished watching the movie and I was wondering about the film locations. Then I remembered that you did videos where you hunted down the exact spots that movies were filmed at. Could it be possible....that you did one about "It's a Mad mad mad world"? Lo and behold .... you did!!! Thanks!!

Great video. I first saw this movie as a kid in the 80's and found it hilarious. It remains my favorite comedy movie. So many great actors in it. Over time I've wondered about the Big W palm trees too. Your video answered all my questions about the locations. Thank You from one Mad World fan to another!

HE just went sailing right out there,.....

thank you for you filming and research. great film of all times -- i saw it in that long gone '64...

under the big W there was a CAT! so then the cats must be real treasures of the world...