This is so difficult for me to watch. I used to watch Jonathan Winters on the Jack Paar show, and I saw "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" when it first came out. I knew that he had suffered emotional illness. It's so difficult and painful to realize that this wonderful, brilliant man who has given so much joy to so many people might have suffered so horribly in his own personal life. Jonathan Winters is a genius. He has given us all so much.
Jonathan Winters has got to be one of the funniest comedians to ever come out of Hollywood. One hell of a guy, as I understand it he saw quite a bit of combat in the Pacific Theater as a Marine in WWII, thank you for your service, Mr. Winters!
Jonathan Winters MADE that movie, it a Mad Mad Mad Mad world. He was perfect. Im 63 and this retired Firemen is crying over his death...He is Loved..!!
I heard/saw that Jonathan was the life of the party the entire time he was around the cast and crew of "Mad World". He kept everyone laughing and in good spirits. Although I love the entire movie and EVERY character, from the first time I saw it, Jonathan as "Pike the truck driver" was and STILL is my favorite character. Just for that, I say he gets an extra share!
When this incredible man,first came into my restaurant, he looked at me & started being himself ! I could not hold the laughter,. Mr. Winters was a MASTER !!!
One of the greats talking about one of the greats. I loved Winters' one-man wrecking machine impersonation and the whole destruction of the service station. Possibly some of his best comedic work in this film.
My sentiment exactly. I was 7 in 1972 also, born in '65. I, too, looked forward to seeing the rerun of the movie every year, even at that age. I, also, associate it with a great time and still look forward to seeing the show once in a while and still marvel at the purity of that time that I think would be nice to visit.
I own this movie... one of the greatest comedies of all times. I was in the second grade when this movie came out; and it was the first time that my parents let me have a friend over to spend the night. My parents took us all out to watch this movie after a nice dinner. A great memory from my childhood... I usually watch this movie 1-3 times per year since i own it... thanks Mom and Dad (and my brother Joe.) So many funny moments in this movie... Malibu/Santa Monica was so empty back then along the PCH !!! I look for the big "W" for my own life !!! Lol !!
I wish he was still alive, but you know what? He did what he was put on this Earth to do: entertain people in a way that only HE can. We all have a great, big purpose in life. Mine may be different from or quite similar to yours, but we all have a purpose and as soon as that purpose is fulfilled, our job is done and we leave, never to return again. And that's what Jonathan Winters and other comedians before or after him have done and they will forever be remembered for that.
I remember seeing It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World as a kid in the theater. As much as I loved that whole gas station scene, I think my favorite line....& it's delivery.....comes toward the beginning. Right after Jimmy Durante "kicks the bucket"......Mr. Winters sums up the situation with the obvious: "That guy's DEAD!"
I have such fond memories of Mad mad world. I had never seen it until i was home on New Years eve of 1972. I was 7 years old. My Mum and Dad had gone out and i switched on the TV to this movie. I laughed myself silly. I always associate it with a great time and its become a bit of a New Years eve tradition for me. I know it all by heart. "Its a big Dubbleya i tell you"
A fascinating introspective from a tremendous comic genius. I can't help but wounder how on Earth this film was ever finished. The out takes must be hours long...how did this cast and crew keep from bursting into uncontrollable laughter?
Elwwod P Suggins, Maude Frickert, The Great White Hunter. The greatest comedian of his day, most creative by a mile. I think it takes a little insanity to be unique. The gas station scene in Mad, Mad World is an all time classic. The other guy I love in that movie is the great Terry-Thomas the English comedian.
I Love you John :) I did a couple of deployments myself the last few years and we (My guys and I) used your performance back in the early 60's as "Pike" as "Video prosac" between missions. Thank you John...:)
I still laugh at this movie, it's always been one of my favorites!, Jonathan was hilarious, i always remembered his part so well, he kinda made the film come together!, R.I.P. Jon ,thanks for the laffs (:->)
Jonathan Winters really did make that movie great! I own it on DVD and I'm going to watch it again tonight, after seeing this clip. I love the whole cast, but Mr. Winters stands out! If he hadn't taken the truck driver role, it would have made the movie less of a success. He's wonderful! :) Jerry Lewis had a small cameo appearance. I wish that Dean Martin could have also been in the picture! Thank you for posting this!
Pike technically won the race to the treasure, not counting the lady who noticed the "W" after deciding to drop out of it...but I got a kick out of Sylvester
i was born in 1978, and saw the movie for the first time at maybe 5 or 6, and it came on every year and my parents would call me over to the tv room. And like you, i would laugh myself silly until my face and sides hurt - the extension ladder, the gas station destruction scene, John Winters,
Dan Pasternack conducted the interview on October 11, 2002 in Santa Barbara, CA. That's what is said on the website linked in the description, please try to search for it next time :-)!
Will you please start listing the date the interview was recorded? All we get to see is the date you uploaded it to RU-vid. Say what date the interview was recorded. Believe me, that date is relevant to the history the stars are discussing.
Ahh well ...The Guys that defined comedy and music all seem to be going on.Jonathan Winters invented improv..He created the modern comedy theory/concept...just no words to describe the magnitude of his loss..I just think the world should stop and take notice when a person like this passes..but its just us..Ha..nite my friend
RIP Jonathan. You were CRAZY FUNNY and we loved you. What ever happened to all the good comedians? Robin Williams? Steve Martin? Come on down guys, we miss ya.
that film is like "Animal House", it gets funnier every time I watch it, Jonathan was amazingly funny in the garage wrecking scene-r.i.p., a really funny man
The best part of this movie was at the beginning when Jimmy Durante kicked the bucket. After that I found it a waste of the finest comedic talent, possibly of all time. It just became silly, long, and boring. And I don't love the performers less for it.
