To Be or Not to Be (1942)

Danger Close

This isn’t the first WWII film we have covered to be filmed and released while the war was still ongoing, but it is our first comedy that fits those parameters. It often pops up on lists of best comedies ever, and for good reason.

The Nazis have invaded Warsaw and a German spy has just landed with damning information about the Polish resistance. It’s up to famed stage actress Maria Tura, her would-be lover, her jealous husband, and a squabbling troop of Shakespearean actors to intercept the spy and keep the intelligence from reaching the Gestapo.

The gags might honestly work better now than they did at the time (not everyone could make light of the war while its outcome was uncertain), and you will see the DNA of many modern films that followed the caricatures of evil played out to brilliant effect here.

So join us and find out what the “Lubitsch touch” is all about, as we dive into this hilarious and edgy film courtesy of Liam (of course).

Tune in and find out, on this episode of your favorite war film podcast!

Next Episode: Our Second Veteran Interview!

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