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 is the laziest slave in Rome and has but 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 Lycus, 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. 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 | virgin | 

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Taglines:

Something for Everyone!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Toll trieben es die alten Römer

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Zero Mostel and Jack Gilford reprised their roles from the original Broadway production. Phil Silvers had been offered the role of Pseudolus on Broadway, but turned it down because he couldn't wear his glasses, and feared an onstage accident. Silvers went on to play Pseudolus in a 1972 revival.

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Goofs

When Pseudolus water skis during the final chase, we can tell its a thinner stunt double because his clothes (which fit Zero Mostel so well), are loose. He has too much hair, as well.

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Quotes

Pseudolus: [disguised as a soothsayer and chanting loud gibberish] I say! You are in need of a soothsayer.
Erronius: How did you know?
Pseudolus: I'd be a fine soothsayer if I didn't.

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits are a sequence of animated Roman frescoes. At the end of the credits, all the frescoes appear together as a gallery with the words "THE END" as a centerpiece.

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Connections

Referenced in Breaker High: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Post Office (1997)

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Soundtracks

Comedy Tonight
(reprise)
Written by Stephen Sondheim
Performed by Zero Mostel, Michael Crawford, Annette Andre, Patricia Jessel, Michael Hordern, Leon Greene, Buster Keaton, Jack Gilford', Phil Silvers and the ensemble

User Reviews

A manic classic.

Zero Mostel. Need I say more? Reason enough to rent this movie, despite the hideous 'pan and scan' that makes viewing it a chore. Based on a Broadway musical, it's clever and fast and sexist in that kind of 1960's way. Buxom ladies, lascivious men with comb overs abound. It's fun if you're in the right mood, and Zero Mostel makes it all go down smoothly. I think this (and the Producers) was his best role, and it also has many recognizable supporting players that make you laugh simply by showing their faces.