A widow tries to give away her fortune in this star-studded 1964 comedy

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the black comedy What a Way to Go!, a wealthy woman attempts to donate $211 million to the IRS, convinced she is cursed. Each of her husbands found immense success before dying tragically, leaving her with a fortune she despises. Her quest for a simple life drives this chaotic, star-studded narrative.

The film follows Louisa, who narrates her life to a psychiatrist while attempting to offload her massive wealth. Her journey begins with Edgar, a shopkeeper who achieves empire-level success after being humiliated by a rival, only to overwork himself to death. Subsequent husbands meet equally bizarre ends: an avant-garde artist is killed by his own robotic cranes, a tycoon is kicked through a barn wall by a bull, and a famous clown is trampled by fans. Each partner’s rise to fame and fortune seems to trigger their demise, reinforcing Louisa's belief in a dark, wealth-related curse.

The production history of the film was as complex as its plot. Originally titled I Love Louisa, the project was initially linked to Marilyn Monroe, who died in August 1962 before filming could begin. Director J. Lee Thompson eventually secured Shirley MacLaine for the lead role, supported by a cast of heavyweights including Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, and Gene Kelly. The film was shot in just 45 days on the Fox backlot, utilizing 73 sets and a $3.5-million jewelry collection loaned by Harry Winston to capture its opulent, satirical tone.

Despite mixed critical reception—ranging from praise as a "dazzler" to condemnation as an "abomination"—the film was a financial success. It earned $9.09 million in rentals against a break-even point of $8.5 million. The production received Academy Award nominations for its elaborate art direction and costume design, reflecting the "loudness and pathos" that publicist Arthur Jacobs envisioned for this unique, genre-bending project.

The film’s legacy is tied to its visual excess and its cynical take on the American dream. By contrasting Louisa’s desire for a simple, Thoreau-inspired existence with the absurdity of her husbands' rapid ascents to wealth, the film serves as a critique of materialism. Even the final resolution, where a simple life is found only after a pipeline accident prevents the couple from becoming wealthy, underscores the film's persistent, ironic theme.

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