Who's Minding the Mint? (1967)

The Age of Commercialism

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The first must-see film of the year.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Enterprising United States Mint worker Jim Hutton (as Harry Lucas) accidentally shreds $50,000 of freshly minted cash down his sink's garbage disposal, thinking it's the awful homemade fudge given to him by pretty co-worker Dorothy Provine (as Verna Baxter). Big oops! With restless and retired Walter Brennan (as "Pop" Gillis) itching to print money again, Mr. Hutton decides to sneak into the U.S. Mint, and round up $50,000 to replace the missing money… They enlist help from deaf safe-cracker Jack Gifford (as Avery Dugan), pawn shop owner Milton Berle (as Luther Burton), gambling sewer worker Joey Bishop (as Ralph Randazzo), portly boatman Victor Buono (as "The Captain"), and ice cream truck salesman Bob Denver (as Willie Owens). Mr. Denver is fresh off "Gilligan's Island". An expert at cutting sheets of bills, Ms. Provine agrees to help Hutton, who is the man she loves. Things get greedy and out-of-hand... On the night of the heist, talky Mr. Bishop arrives with his non-English speaking cousin Jamie Farr (as Mario), a long way from "M*A*S*H" and needing a job; and, Mr. Brennan must take along his expectant dog "Inky", who is about to deliver her pups. Director Howard Morris gives the comedy some good suspense, and lets his comedians peddle their wares. It's a slow-starter, but builds nicely. Yet, nothing approaches the comedy crescendo anticipated. ****** Who's Minding the Mint? (9/26/67) Howard Morris ~ Jim Hutton, Dorothy Provine, Walter Brennan, Milton Berle

This low-key comedy features a wonderful cast which is generally fun to watch. There are not a lot of laugh-out-scenes and definitely not as funny as adversed, but still enjoyable. Although mostly greedy, most of the characters are still likable enough. I particularly enjoyed Jack Gilford and Milton Berle's roles, the latter when he played George Washington!The rest of the cast includes such names as Dortohy Provine (there's a '60s actress that seemed to disappear quickly), Walter Brennan, Bob Denver, Victor Buono, Joey Bishop and Jamie Farr.In all, a pleasant lightweight comedy which probably deserves to be better known.

I've got a slight bone to pick. I remember seeing this. back in '67 in a Saturday afternoon matinée. Twenty-eight years later I began working for the Treasury Dept. There is no Mint in Washington D.C. Jim Hutton works for the Bureau of Engraving & Printing which ain't the Mint. The Mint produces coins, but I suppose having the ever-scheming Hutton walk out of the Mint with a 52 lb bag of quarters wrapped in fudge would suspend disbelief a little too far. The under-rated director, Howard (Ernest T. Bass) Morris did a pretty decent job with the material and it sort of plays like a somewhat less frenetic It's a Mad, Mad, Mad (etc.) World. 3 out of *****.

A fast-paced heist comedy, so innocent that nothing is even "stolen". When Jim Hutton, harrassed employee of the Bureau of Engraving, already on the outs with his boss, inadvertently takes 50,000 dollars and shreds them in his garbage disposal, he breaks back in to reprint the money. However, one thing leads to another and he eventually ends up with a gang of misfits, each of whom needs something and jumps at the opportunity to print their own money. Jack Gilford and Victor Buono grab their roles by the throat and they provide a great balance, each singlehandedly preventing the other from stealing the movie altogether out from under the others' noses. Everyone does a good job. The script is solid and plot-driven. Some of the laughs are diluted by appearing in so many other places in movies or tv in the last three decades, but the movie still remains fresh and funny, and makes a good diversion for a dull afternoon. It's too bad movies like this aren't made any more.