The Great Race (1965)

"The Great Race" is a spectacular epic comedy centered on the ultimate automotive challenge. Professional daredevil and white-suited hero, The Great Leslie, convinces turn-of-the-century auto makers that a race from New York to Paris (westward across America, the Bering Straight and Russia) will help to promote automobile sales. Leslie's arch-rival, the mustached and black-attired Professor Fate vows to beat Leslie to the finish line in a car of Fate's own invention, aided by his bumbling sidekick Max. Joining the transatlantic trek is suffragette journalist Maggie DuBois, caught between the two rivals, as the ensemble faces a gauntlet of ingenious traps, treacherous landscapes, and escalating comedic chaos, including a legendary pie fight. This film is a quintessential Blake Edwards masterpiece, perfectly embodying his flair for grand-scale slapstick, meticulously choreographed visual gags, and precise comedic timing. It showcases his ability to create an expansive, visually stunning spectacle without sacrificing intimate comedic moments. The iconic performances by Jack Lemmon as the scenery-chewing Professor Fate and Tony Curtis as the unflappable Great Leslie are pitch-perfect examples of Edwards' gift for drawing out archetypal comedic characters. From the elaborate contraptions and the absurdly over-the-top villainy to the enduring charm and the sheer joy of its physical comedy, "The Great Race" stands as a vibrant testament to Edwards' unique directorial voice and his unmatched skill in crafting an ambitious, laugh-out-loud cinematic experience.