Quem Está Guardando Esta Erva?

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.

This is one of the most underrated caper films of all time. Jim Hutton was perfect in his role as a Harry, a mint worker who somehow sinks $100,000 down his garbage disposal. Also, the cast of characters he has surrounding him from Milton Berle as the weasle of a pawn shop owner to Walter Brennan as the former mint worker who felt he was put out to pasture. Dorothy Provine is also great as Verna, the girl who truly loves Harry. Too bad this film isn't out on video or D.V.D. because it is truly a lost classic.

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).

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 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!!!