Who's Minding the Mint?

It's a smaller-scale "Mad Mad Mad etc World" with some crafty veteran gagsters (Gilford, Berle, Buono, Brennan, Bishop et al) doing their shtick. Small improbabilities build and build until you end up with a string of boats with wildly-costumed characters sailing in an improbable location from an impossible caper. Total on-screen madness, yet it made sense at every small plot step along the way. Tightly-constructed and very much a late-60s comedy. It's one of those favorites you're slightly ashamed of.

I consider "Who's Minding the Mint?" THE 1960s comedy. Directed by that certifiable genius Howard Morris it's fast and funny with a marvelous premise, witty lines, and sight-gags that are impeccably set-up and pulled off by a director who knows funny and a fine ensemble cast.

Jim Hutton is Treasury worker Harry Lucas, a fellow who knows all the angles. After hours he lives the life of a minor playboy on no budget by scamming department stores. A superior, played with officious glee by David J. Stewart, suspects Harry of criminal methods and Harry is up against it when he accidentally looses $50,000. However, it shouldn't be too difficult to replace the lost bills with the help of retired printer "Pop" played by Walter Brennan, who aches to get his hands on the presses.

Questions arise as to how to get the plates, how to get into the building, how to cut the bills, et cetera, and before he knows what's happening Harry is the leader of a gang with designs on more than replacing $50,000.

Milton Berle oozes larceny out of every pore. Bob Denver is adorable as a would-be ladies man opposite Jackie Joseph as a bohemian who may be more than he can handle. Victor Buono is simply outstanding as an outlandishly accented "ships captain". Joey Bishop is dry and funny as a gambler and Jamie Farr as his non-English speaking cousin. Dorothy Provine, the 60s comedy go-to-gal, is a nice girl who'd do anything for Harry. And what could go wrong when you have a deaf safe cracker played by Jack Gilford?

Adding to the fun is Lalo Schifrin's sprightly score reminiscent of his famous Mission Impossible theme.

Honestly, this is a movie that keeps me chuckling and laughing throughout its tidy 97 minutes. Highly recommended.

Most of us who love serious films have a Dark Side, in which we shamefully adore some really non-serious work of cinema. I shamefully admit it; I love Who's Minding The Mint. At every turn in the preposterous plot, a new (old) face appears and each of these characters really runs with his tiny part. The plot deals with breaking into the U.S. Mint and printing up sheets of money, but plot is secondary to the moment-by-moment antics of this assembled comedic multitude.

Watching the ensemble work of veteran comics (such as Milton Berle, Jack Gilford, Joey Bishop, and a young Jamie Farr) I was reminded of the much-more-honored MadMadMad World. Besides ya gotta love Bob Denver (Gilligan) playing a sex symbol.

I saw this movie in the movies as a kid. When it came out on VHS I bought it and my kids became fans. I still have it on VHS and wish I had it on DVD. Everyone is superb and all the gags are great. I love the end where they're in the van with the church music playing.

Jim Hutton was a great actor and this is one of the funniest things he did. He is surrounded by an absolutely hilarious supporting cast. It's a well-made farce and the premise is so ridiculous that everything becomes even funnier as the movie goes on.

I've asked countless people in my life if they've ever seen this movie and they say they haven't even heard of it. It's a pity because it's really a delightful movie. I loved it, my kids loved it and I hope my grandkids love it. I just wish it would come out on DVD!!!

Like other reviewers here, I have always wondered why this wonderful film has been forgotten. Not only is it a great parody of the 'anatomy of a crime' films that were popular in the 1960's, it showcases some marvelous comedy talent. One little quibble: the title is a misnomer; the conspirators do NOT break into the US Mint. They break into the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing (the facility in Washington, DC which prints our paper currency).