Years ago, before our era of high definition film transfers, DVDs and Blu-Rays, a group of us aided MGM/UA in making a “special edition” presentation of
“It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” (along with a 60 minute documentary) that contained some 70mm footage that had not been seen in decades.
The footage was from both 70mm and Cinerama Rectifed preview/premeire showings from literally around the globe. Also found was a short 70mm “preview demo” of
some in-progress scenes from the film. including a version of the gas station demolition that ends with a surprise return appearance of Ray and Irwin.
Though knowing that this gave us only a few damaged pieces of “Mad World”’s total cinematic puzzle, and would not represent any replicated preview or premiere version. at least fans of the film (including Stanley) would be able to see more of what happened that day in California.
As the years (and research) went on, we have begun to believe that the attendants rescue may not have made any theatrical cut of “Mad World”, resulting in our old standard defintion Special Edition being the only time you’ll see the return of Ray and Irwin.
It should be noted that one of the trims gathered from prints around the country DID contain the brief shot of the cops watching Pike’s rampage(!)
It should also be noted that much of what was cut from earlier versions of Mad World was a possible excess of Detective/Police surveilence footage that might have diluted the film’s momentum . Certainly this scene of the cops driving up to help Ray & Irwin would fit this category, and there is something visually satisfying about that final held shot of the flattened gas station.
In the video HERE we present three choices. And we want you to vote below!
Please note that this is not any official MGM/UA function, we are totally fan-based with the best respect of filmmakers and distributors intentions.
Choice 1 – No. Leave it the way it always was. Once Pike drives off, they’re gone.
Choice 2 – Yes. Bring back the surveilence, as the cops pull up immediately after Pike leaves and find Ray & Irwin coming out of the debris.
Choice 3 – Yes, but leave us first with the shot of the demolished gas station then come back a few minutes later to Ray & Irwin coming out of the debris with the cops there.
