A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)

A wily slave must unite a virgin courtesan and his young smitten master to earn his freedom.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Melvin Frank (screenplay), Michael Pertwee (screenplay)

Stars:

Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zero Mostel	...	Pseudolus
Phil Silvers	...	Marcus Lycus
Buster Keaton	...	Erronius
Michael Crawford	...	Hero
Jack Gilford	...	Hysterium
Annette Andre	...	Philia
Michael Hordern	...	Senex
Leon Greene	...	Captain Miles Gloriosus
Roy Kinnear	...	Gladiator Instructor
Alfie Bass	...	Gatekeeper
John Bluthal	...	Roman Chief Guard
Pamela Brown	...	High Priestess
Patricia Jessel	...	Domina
Beatrix Lehmann	...	Domina's Mother
Frank Thornton	...	Roman Sentry

Storyline

Pseudolus (Zero Mostel) is the laziest slave in Rome, and has one wish, to purchase his freedom. When his master and mistress leave for the day, he finds out that the young master has fallen in love with a virgin in the house of Marcus Lycus (Phil Silvers), a slave dealer specializing in beautiful women. Pseudolus concocts a deal in which he will be freed if he can procure the girl for young Hero (Michael Crawford). Of course, it can't be that simple as everything begins to go wrong.

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Plot Keywords:

child kidnapping | kidnapping | neo screwball comedy | italy | british sex comedy | 

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Taglines:

Something for Everyone!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Miles Gloriosus", literally translated, is the Latin term for "glorious soldier". But it is also Latin slang for "blowhard" and "braggart".

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Goofs

In one song, Miles Gloriosus recounts his encounters with the Turks in war. The Turks would get nowhere near the Roman Empire as a military threat for centuries after the time depicted in the story.

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Quotes

Miles Gloriosus: Arrange food, drink, entertainment, and a sit-down orgy for fourteen.

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Crazy Credits

One fresco depicts a Roman orgy, but one character raises the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) seal in protest. In 1966 when this movie was released, the old Production Code was still in effect. It was replaced by the rating system in 1968.

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Connections

Referenced in Little Mosque on the Prairie: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Mercy (2008)

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Soundtracks

The Dirge
Written by Stephen Sondheim
Performed by Leon Greene and ensemble

User Reviews

Oldie but goodie

I never saw this in the 60's though I was of an age to...just saw it the other night on television and only watched it for Buster Keaton, whom I have recently developed a great joy in seeing. I enjoyed the whole thing...silly, (sexest,yes, a movie of the 60's), funny stuff. My kids aged 10 and 12 really enjoyed it, too.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Melvin Frank Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1