Michael Schlesinger on ONE, TWO, THREE

James Cagney plays a Coca Cola executive in this wild Cold War comedy satirizing sex, politics and soft drinks. The movie began filming in Berlin but Wilder was forced to move to Munich when the Wall began construction. Famous for being so fast-paced it leaves an audience either elated or confused, the movie split critics and tanked at the box office.

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[AnthonySmith-tyij]

James Cagney in his final film role until his return in 1981 for the Milos Forman film Ragtime. Billy Wilder does a brilliant work on this film. Wilder went on to continue in the 60s with Irma La Douce, Kiss Me Stupid and the Fortune Cookie following the run of Some Like It Hot and the Apartment.

[StevenSmyth]

Thanks guys. One, Two, Three used to play on KHJ-TV channel 9 in LA every July 4th back in the 70s and 80s which is where I discovered it, along with 1776. I have the BluRay release and my wife and I watch it every July 4th, but I’ve seen it way more than that maybe going, literally, on 40 times. I know the script backwards. Since I think great comedy writing is like music, that’s why. It certainly turned me into a Billy Wilder fan, as i have almost his entire filmography on disc. I may actually pick up this Kino edition just for completion. I know it sucks, but I’d really like to get a copy of Buddy, Buddy just for that reason.

[Horror-Man]

I literally just got done watching the 3 hour 17 minute cut of It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World a few hours ago.

[FCSchaefer]

Caught this on TV many years ago, and thought it was a comic masterpiece; wondered why more people didn't talk about it.

[malafakka]

Finally someone who has also thinks that this is a great movie. Thank God that I catched it many years ago on German TV by chance because otherwise I probably would have never heard of this great movie since it is rarely talked about despite Billy Wilder being one of the all time greatest directors. I know that certain circumstances contributed to it not being as prominent among his work, but, man, it has already been six decades. That's plenty of time for rediscovering it.
If nothing else this comedy is just pure fun and entertainment every single second of its runtime. Just for that it should be talked about more. Cagney is just brilliant in this, what a performance, but the whole cast does a fine job at playing their characters. And not to be that guy, but I haven't seen a comedy in recent years that is nearly as well structured, paced and (most of all) witty as this 60 years old classic (yes, classic).
Among the things that I love about it is that the solution of one situation is often the basis for the next obstacle. If it has one weakness it might that some jokes might not be understandable for today's audiences, but I think that the majority of them work just as fine as they did back then.
It is cliched but that is intentional and always done in good spirit since everyone in it gets their share of problems and failures because of being who they are. Ironic that the most pragmatic and sensible character (Cagney's) doesn't get what he wants in the end despite the fact that the other characters would be quite incapable of getting what they wanted without him because they are so set in their cliched selves.
Excellent movie by the excellent Billy Wilder with an excellent James Cagney in it.

[dominikstarck]

This was the last movie shown in the theater I grew up in when they closed it a few years ago. Haven't even heard about One, Two, Three before. Now it's probably my favorite film by Billy Wilder. It was a great, fun night to close the house that made me dream for decades.

[walker]

When I’m pitching this movie to friends to watch, I send them your video to explain why the trailer isn’t as good as the movie and why they should give it a chance. lol. Thank you, this film is one of my favorites.

[timothy]

Best line. "Is this the end of Little Rico!"

[randyacuna]

Beautifully written and acted by all involved. Cagney made few comedies but without question, this is his best. Good or bad, the pacing of this film cause cagney to say I had enough so he retired from movies. Of course in later years he returned.

[seanramsdell]

I discovered this film by Martin Scorsese's Personal Journey

[keithbrown]

My favorite Wilder film along with Sunset Blvd. ! The only bad thing is when I show it to younger folks I have to explain the history of the time they filmed it in for some of the jokes to make sense for them.

[dancingdog]

Wow! I haven't seen this in decades. It used to play regularly on channel 56 in Boston in the 70's & early 80's. I'd love to see the widescreen treatment! :)

[jamesedwardclard]

love this movie, I want to rewatch it now.

[Brianf]

Whoa, I would've skipped right over this movie with a title like that. Definitely gotta check it out.

[skellys]

I saw the film when it first came out and loved it, too. I had no idea that it did so poorly at the box office, but it's a winner!

[BadMoonHorrors]

Always nice to see people enjoing it, although for me personally it's kind of mid-range, I like it but it's far from my favourite. Always think it should be either less slapstick or even more.
Now let's come to the nitpicking: Lilo Pulver is Swiss, not German.
But yes of course she was the star of countless German movies and extremely popular here. Fräulein Ingeborg was one of her very few on the nose sexy roles, she played a lot of tomboyish, pally and untainted characters, so not the first one who comes to mind in regards to Marilyn Monroe alternatives. She told in her autobiography how she pimped her bra with tissues when she went to the casting. Her real life husband plays the East German policeman at the Brandenburg Gate, who takes the sixpack of Coke as bribe.
She rose fame with a younger audience when she became a member of the cast of the German edition of Sesame Street from 1978 to 1984.

[SavoirRare]

“Spartacus” looks just like Tom Cruise.

[chiconeededthemoney]

I had wondered what happened to this movie. I saw it once years ago and enjoyed the heck out of it but I couldn’t remember it’s name

[PaulTesta]

Michael,

I'm a huge fan of "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" (Mx4W) myself. And I know many people who really enjoy the movie; but, rarely do I ever come across someone who considers it the greatest movie EVER!

Given the mixed reviews Mx4W has gotten over the years, what is it about this movie that caused you to hold it in such high regard.

Very curious to hear your thoughts...

Paul

[helenwhite]

Lose the war then self respect.as amusing as firestorm in munchengladbach.