The Great Race. 1965. USA. Directed by Blake Edwards. Screenplay by Arthur Ross, based on a story by Edwards. With Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood. 35mm. 160 min.
At the turn of the 19th century, automotive daredevil the Great Leslie convinces the nascent car companies that a race from New York to Paris is the ideal stunt to increase worldwide automobile sales. Enter the dastardly Professor Fate, who challenges the earnest Great Leslie that he will beat him in a car of his own design. Like a comic book come to life, The Great Race is a raucous, hilarious, cheeky road picture. Not to be missed is Peter Falk’s performance as Professor Fate’s loyal retainer, Maximilian Meen.