The Great Race/YMMV

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


  • Fan-Preferred Couple: Some fans consider Maggie / Professor Fate as having more chemistry than Leslie / Maggie. Probably not helped by how one hilarious scene has her actually kissing the guy. There's actually some Reality Subtext here. Natalie Wood was forced by the studio to do this movie against her wishes, then to make matters worse she was paired up with Tony Curtis. They'd already done two films together and had developed a passionate hatred for each other, so the lack of chemistry between Maggie and Leslie was genuine.
  • Large Ham: Jack Lemmon as Professor Fate. His laugh takes this Up to Eleven - and it's awesome.
  • Ensemble Darkhorse: Professor Fate. Despite Leslie being the hero and the Knight in Shining Armor, Jack Lemmon's villainous, over-the-top, hammy portrayal won the hearts of many. Jack Lemmon even mentioned that he got the most fan mail about the Professor than any other character he ever played.
  • Hilarity Ensues: Professor Fate's attempts to outdo or sabotage Leslie.
  • Role Association: Peter Falk, of course. Also, the wife of Maggie's editor is played by Vivian Vance, famous for the role of Ethel Mertz.
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