It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (FILM)

The Historic Plaza Theatre is thrilled to welcome back one of Hollywood's most beloved comedies when It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World (1963) returns to the very stage where it played during its original theatrical release. The special screening takes place Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 1 PM. Tickets start at $25. A very special VIP package, including exclusive access to the BIG W afterparty, will be available for $75. 
 
Tickets for It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World begin pre-sales on Tuesday July 14 to Plaza Theatre members with the public on sale scheduled for Friday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. via palmspringsplazatheatre.com. Plaza Theatre members receive early access to the best seats, for more information about membership, visit the Plaza Theatre membership page on our website. 

The It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World event will be hosted by Kat Kramer and Karen Sharpe-Kramer, daughter and widow of legendary filmmaker Stanley Kramer, who will be joined by author James Curtis for a book signing and Q&A. Additional activities for the event include: a costume contest, trivia games, and an online treasure hunt. Dress in your finest early 1960s outfits (show us your best Mrs. Marcus or Lennie Pike!) and come ready to win prizes. 

ABOUT THE FILM 

Directed and produced by Stanley Kramer and released by United Artists, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World is an epic slapstick comedy featuring one of the most celebrated ensemble casts in Hollywood history — Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hackett, Phil Silvers, Dick Shawn, Buster Keaton, Jerry Lewis, The Three Stooges, Jimmy Durante, and many more. 

The film was largely shot on location in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, and Stanley Kramer, a former Palm Springs resident with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars — maintained deep ties to the Coachella Valley throughout his career. The picture was nominated for six Academy Awards and won the Oscar for Best Sound Effects and is widely celebrated for its return to the Mack Sennett tradition of big-screen slapstick. 

ABOUT THE HOSTS 

Kat Kramer and Karen Sharpe-Kramer continue Stanley Kramer's legacy through their production company, KNK Productions, Inc. Kat is also the founder of Kat Kramer's Films That Change The World, an internationally acclaimed cinema series. 

BOOK SIGNING WITH JAMES CURTIS 

The event includes a signing of Curtis's new book, Comedy Is a Grim Business: The Making of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World, a comprehensive 300-page account covering more than 60 years of history, from the film's inspiration through casting, production, international release, and restoration. The book is essential reading for film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and comedy fans alike.