The Great Race Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two guys in silly cars drive around, and one of them really, *really* hates pies, but then… pies everywhere!

🍿 The Great Race: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Challenge is Set

The film opens with a display of The Great Leslie’s (Tony Curtis) heroic feats, contrasted by Professor Fate’s (Jack Lemmon) disastrous attempts to outdo him. Leslie proposes an automobile race from New York to Paris to promote the burgeoning auto industry. Professor Fate, driven by envy, vows to win at any cost, setting the stage for their rivalry.

Meet Maggie Dubois

Maggie Dubois (Natalie Wood), a determined suffragette and reporter, convinces her newspaper to sponsor her entry in the race. She aims to prove women’s capabilities and report on the journey. Both Leslie and Fate initially dismiss her, but Maggie’s resourcefulness and determination make her a formidable competitor.

Across America

The race begins, and the contestants face various challenges as they travel across America. Professor Fate employs sabotage and underhanded tactics, while Leslie relies on his skill and good sportsmanship. The journey includes a memorable stop in Boracho, a wild-west town, leading to a massive saloon brawl.

International Escapades

The race continues through Alaska and across the frozen Bering Strait. The contestants encounter treacherous conditions, including a melting iceberg. Fate’s relentless attempts to sabotage Leslie often backfire, creating comedic chaos and highlighting his ineptitude.

Intrigue in Potsdorf

The race takes an unexpected turn in the fictional kingdom of Potsdorf. Professor Fate is mistaken for Prince Hapnik (also played by Jack Lemmon), leading to a case of mistaken identity and political intrigue. Leslie and Maggie become embroiled in a plot to overthrow the government.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• The Great Leslie (Tony Curtis): The heroic and impeccably dressed daredevil who represents good and fair play in the New York to Paris race.
• Professor Fate (Jack Lemmon): The dastardly and mustached villain determined to win the race by any means necessary, fair or foul.
• Maggie Dubois (Natalie Wood): The enthusiastic and independent suffragette who enters the race as a reporter and competitor.
• Maximilian Meen (Peter Falk): Professor Fate’s bumbling but loyal assistant who often messes up his schemes.
• Hezekiah Sturdy (Keenan Wynn): The Great Leslie’s faithful and somewhat chauvinistic assistant who aids him throughout the race.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Professor Fate: “Push the button, Max!” – Professor Fate’s frequent command to his assistant, usually preceding a disastrous outcome.
• Professor Fate: “I’d like to see the Great Leslie try *that* on for size!” – Said by Professor Fate when concocting his outlandish stunts to outdo Leslie.
• Professor Fate: “Now you’re using sex as a weapon!” – Professor Fate exclaims this to Maggie, showing his indignation.
• Professor Fate: “I never mix my pies!” – Spoken by Professor Fate during the pie fight.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $29,150,000
• Worldwide Gross: $29,150,000

💥 The Great Race Reviews

Personal Review

I adore this movie! It’s a pure, joyful explosion of classic comedy. The pie fight is iconic, and Jack Lemmon is hysterically evil as Professor Fate. Tony Curtis is the perfect, charming hero. The movie is long, but I never get bored! I always come away smiling. The sheer scale of the movie made me laugh throughout! Definitely a comfort movie for me!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic slapstick comedy”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ensemble casts”
  • “Those seeking lighthearted, family-friendly entertainment”
  • “Admirers of early 20th-century period pieces”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Slapstick violence”
  • “Mild peril”
  • “Cartoonish depictions of conflict”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A broadly comic spectacle, *The Great Race* delivers laughs through sheer scale and energetic performances. While the plot meanders, the pie fight alone is worth the price of admission. A delightful throwback to classic slapstick.
• New York Times: “*The Great Race* is a sprawling, over-the-top comedy that embraces its silliness. Jack Lemmon steals the show as Professor Fate, and Natalie Wood is charming as the suffragette reporter. It is long, but it manages to stay consistently amusing.

Audience Reactions

The pie fight scene is the funniest thing I have ever seen!: Viewers consistently praise the outrageous pie fight and Jack Lemmon’s comedic performance.

Overall Consensus: A long but beloved slapstick comedy with memorable performances and iconic scenes, especially the pie fight. Fun for the whole family. The general consensus is that Jack Lemmon steals the show and the slapstick and car action are a lot of fun.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Sound Effects)- 1966

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The pie fight scene, though lasting only four minutes on screen, took five full days to film and involved over 2,000 pies.”
• “At first the cast had fun filming the pie fight scene, but eventually the process grew tiresome and dangerous. Natalie Wood choked briefly on a pie which hit her open mouth.”
• “Jack Lemmon got knocked out a few times during the pie fight scene, noting: ‘A pie hitting you in the face feels like a ton of cement.'”

🖥️ How to Watch The Great Race?

The Great Race is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings. Unfortunately, it’s not currently available on major streaming subscription services like Netflix or Hulu. You can find purchase options on platforms like Google Play Movies and YouTube Movies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Great Race, you might like these similar films:

• It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963): A sprawling, star-studded comedy with elaborate set pieces and a focus on slapstick action and over-the-top characters.
• Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965): Another comedic, large-scale period piece centered around a competition (an air race), with a similar lighthearted and adventurous tone.
• Rat Race (2001): A modern comedy that shares the core concept of a chaotic, cross-country race with diverse participants and absurd obstacles.
• Around the World in 80 Days (1956): Shares a theme of adventure and a journey across the world

🛒 The Great Race Related Products

• The Great Race (Blu-ray): Relive the epic comedy in stunning high definition! A must-have for any classic film collector. Perfect family night movie with great slapstick humor.
• Professor Fate T-Shirt – ‘Push the Button, Max!’: Show your love for the dastardly villain with this exclusive T-shirt. Great for fans of classic comedies. Made of comfortable, high-quality material.
• 1908 Leslie Special Diecast Model Car: A detailed replica of the iconic car driven by The Great Leslie. Perfect for collectors and fans of vintage automobiles. Beautiful craftsmanship and display-ready.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Great Race features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Sweetheart Tree” – performed by Natalie Wood
• “He Shouldn’ta, Hadn’ta, Oughtn’ta Swung On Me!” – performed by Dorothy Provine

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

THE TAO TEI (The Great Wall) EXPLAINED

Ever wondered about those crazy monsters in The Great Wall? This video breaks down the mythology behind the Tao Tei and their role in the film. Honestly, understanding their backstory made the movie way more interesting for me!

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