Million Dollar Mystery

In a small Arizona town, Sidney (Tom Bosley) drops into a diner for a bite. Asking what is good to eat, he learns the chili is very hot but tasty. Despite uttering words that it wouldn't matter if his stomach gets upset, Sid orders it. Not two minutes later, he is on the floor dying. But, before his final breath, he gives notice that he was a government worker, stole some money as revenge, and has hidden a cool million under four Arizona bridges. Whoa, that's incredible news! In the diner at this moment are the chef and his wife, an accountant with his wife and precocious son, a ladies man and his entourage, and a honeymoon couple. They all heard the news and start off on a wild chase for the money. Along the way, they pick up a crazed Nam vet, Slaughter (Rich Hall), a pair of law enforcement officers and two FBI agents in pursuit of Sidney. Only the smart kid seems to have a brain to figure things out, while the honeymooners have to stop often for a sly tryst. As they all locate the first million, the suitcase holding the dough opens and money blows in the wind. Aargh!. As they move onto the next bridge and the next, does this group of bumbling folks have any chance of becoming rich? In the tradition of Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World and coming before Rat Race, the concept of ordinary folks making fools over themselves in an impossible run for the money is still very entertaining. Most of the cast is unknown, although nicely adept, while Bosley, Hall, and Kevin Pollack are big hoots. The clever script is a huge asset, while the Arizona highways and byways are a delight, too. Naturally, the direction keeps up a fast, fast pace. Folks, why buy cable or watch reruns when you can entertain the family with gems like this?

***SPOILER WARNING***

Is it me? Or are you just asking for trouble when your movie is sponsored by a company that makes trash bags? Many movies use huge ad campaigns but I swear 'Million Dollar Mystery' is the only movie that I can think of that IS an ad campaign.

Commercials at the time featured Tom Bosely informing us that there was a million bucks stashed somewhere in the United States. Half the clues were in boxes of Gladbags, the other half were in this movie.

The movie is more or less beside the point. It is a dimwitted remake of Stanley Kramer's 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'. A dying man (played by Bosley) stumbles into a diner and just before he dies he informs the other cast members that he has hidden $4 million bucks and gives them clues on where to find it. Maybe I'm being greedy but don't you feel kind of gypped that they get 4 million bucks for their troubles and we only get one?

The funniest scene in Kramer's comedy is when Jimmy Durante kicks the bucket, literally. It's a classic gag that filmmakers of this movie wisely chose not to steal. If they did it would have taken time away from the other 25 plus sponsors who have product placements throughout the movie.

Once upon a time Walt Disney took a gamble at whether or not audiences would sit through a movie where the cartoon was the feature and made 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. Producer Dino De Laurentis apparently took a gamble on whether or not audience would sit through a movie where the commercial was the feature and failed miserably. How many people do you know who have seen this movie?

Rating: * (of four)

This might not have the star power that Rat Race or It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World had, but it has quite a manic energy and some pretty entertaining characters. To me the funniest were the crazed 'vietnam vet' Buzzard ("It's pronounced Boo-zard") who clearly picked up his military jargon from Rambo movies, Eddie Deezen (better known as Mandark from Dexter's Lab) as a nerdy newly-wed, and the two hapless FBI agents with their hilarious banter. It's not an earth-shatteringly funny movie but a good afternoon of entertainment, and with some exciting car chases to boot. Probably the funniest moment in it was the rather short lived plane hijack scene where nobody is what they seem, and the short but funny gun exchange afterwards.

Recommended if you like such "chase for the money" movies.

Million Dollar Mystery (1987) is a film that critics were far too hard on. While it's not a cinematic masterpiece, it never aimed to be one. This lighthearted adventure features a treasure hunt filled with slapstick humor and eccentric characters, including the unforgettable Eddie Deezen, whose quirky charm adds to the film's delightfully goofy atmosphere. The plot invites audiences on a whimsical ride, complete with zany antics and a carefree spirit. Rather than taking itself seriously, the film embraces its campy charm, making it a fun escape from reality. For fans of 80s comedies, Million Dollar Mystery delivers exactly what it promises: pure, silly entertainment that's perfect for a laid-back movie night. So, if you're in the mood for a lighthearted romp, give this movie a chance-it's sure to bring a smile to your face!

Richard Fleischer's "Million Dollar Mystery" has essentially the same plot as Stanley Kramer's "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". Here a strange man (Tom Bosley of "Happy Days") dies in a diner and tells everyone in the vicinity that there's $4 million buried, and so they spend the rest of the movie experiencing a series of mishaps trying to find it. Obviously it's not even in the same league as "IaMMMMW" - and the product tie-in certainly weakens the movie - but it's good for a few silly laughs. As can be expected, Eddie Deezen is a riot. Equally funny is Kevin Pollak as a cop who's more into impersonations than crime-fighting. The movie's probably OK seeing once. I recommend the original version more.