Rating: Summary: Not that funny Review: I was told this is one of the funniest movies of all time, I had a sinking feeling that it wasn't. But hey I gave it a shot. The movie was very well done and moved along at a rapid pace with one liners flying so fast that i probably missed most of them, considering half the time i was trying to figure out what they were referring to. Most of the jokes I could imagine my grandfather laughing at, thinking back I 'm not sure if I laughed once. I did get a kick out of Cagneys wife tho. Id say if your under 40 this movie is not going to cause you to pass out from laughter.
Rating: Summary: Not that funny Review: I was told this is one of the funniest movies of all time, I had a sinking feeling that it wasn't. But hey I gave it a shot. The movie was very well done and moved along at a rapid pace with one liners flying so fast that i probably missed most of them, considering half the time i was trying to figure out what they were referring to. Most of the jokes I could imagine my grandfather laughing at, thinking back I 'm not sure if I laughed once. I did get a kick out of Cagneys wife tho. Id say if your under 40 this movie is not going to cause you to pass out from laughter.
Rating: Summary: masterful satire Review: If Cagney didn't retire after One Two Three he could have made a great career in comedy. Wilder, Cagney, and a bunch of no-names come together to create one of the greatest satires ever, right up there with Dr. Strangelove. Not one aspect of the Cold War goes unridiculed, no matter what side of the curtain it's on. Make sure you see this incredibly underrated gem.
Rating: Summary: I'm going to the USSR - that's short for Russia Review: It is a real tragedy that this movie is not better known, it is one of the funniest that I have ever seen. James Cagney had a real gift for comedy, and this is one of his best performances. The great director Billy Wilder keeps up a breakneck pace throughout the entire film, jokes and gags come so fast that the viewer barely has time to laugh at one before another comes. And the jokes don't provoke chuckles, but belly laughs. You will be exhasted and out of breath by the end of the movie, but it will be well worth it.
Rating: Summary: Moves Like Lightning with a Razor Wit Review: James Cagney gives one of his finest performances in a movie full of them. The pace is breakneck and you'll miss a lot of Cold War sight gags and one-liners if you don't keep up. The supporting cast adds a lot of fun, especially Arlene Francis who doesn't back down to Cagney's screen dominance. Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond's script is razor-sharp, and Wilder's direction is on top of his game. This movie is a must for those who are old enough to actually remember when JFK was president; and much of the laughs would be lost on succeeding generations.
Rating: Summary: Coca Cola Executive takes on the Communists Review: James Cagney is C.R. MacNamara, head of Coca Cola operations in West Berlin, faced with crisis after the Coca Cola tycoon's daughter he's been baby-sitting turns up married to and pregnant by an idealistic East German communist. Cagney is remarkably funny and quick witted as he battles Russian trade commissars, East German police, and matches wits with the young East German groom Otto Piffl, portrayed by Horst Buchholz. The action and humor is fast paced and demands the viewer to be well versed in historical foreign affairs, otherwise many of the gags and one-liners will fly over one's head. It's a period piece, taking place in 1961 before the "Berlin Wall' went up that separated the East and West sectors. Much of the humor is at the expense of Germans and Russians; evident by MacNamara's German national heel-clicking staff that appears to be full of ex-Nazis that escaped trial, and several Russian trade commissars he deals with who are hard-core pupils of Premier Khrushchev. Although this picture lacks political correctness, its humor is wickedly funny and a guilty pleasure for those who appreciate the Cold War. At the core of the crisis is Scarlett, the dim-witted daughter of MacNamara's boss, who secretly marries Piffl. Upon discovery, MacNamara attempts to de-rail the marriage by framing Piffl before the East German police as a perceived capitalist. The situation heats up when MacNamara then finds out that Scarlett is pregnant, and that her parents are flying into Berlin within the next couple of days. MacNamara, being the devious and ambitious person that he is, unfolds a scam to put the situation in order. It's a laugh a minute as MacNamara invades East Berlin to get Piffl out of jail, and then embarks on a campaign to convert the young idealist into a fine young capitalist who will be approved by Scarlett's father. Overall a hilarious story co-authored and directed by Billy Wilder. The VHS edition is full frame format and high quality. It's another classic deserving a DVD edition.
Rating: Summary: One of the funniest movies ever made. Review: One of Cagney's least known and his best. This zany movie has everything: car chases, love stories, corporate power, and government intrigue. It tastefully pokes fun at Germans, Russians, Americans, Southerners, even the Bulgarians! Definitely a period piece but 1, 2, 3 is witty and fast paced. You can't miss this movie.
Rating: Summary: "Slurplelicious" Refreshment! Review: One Two Three... If one is truly a vintage film stu-dent or shall we say enthusiast; One Two Three is a must see video...Film say from the '50's & 60's era that are a direct offspring of the '30's & '40'sscrewball comedies are a particular delight for me; perhaps I was captured by the light dizzing nuance of wink- wink, nudge-nudge situations;as a mere slip of a girl in the late 60's. The plot of One Two Three is sublime. The wonderful hilarity of James Cagney playing the artful exec.of an overseas Coca-Cola firm.(can you stand it!) Trying to deluge his hapless; but not spotless, cohorts with his slippery ethos. For the glory of an innocent soft-drink. But is it? Mr.Cagney charms fawns,and preys on the golden nebulous crystallization of what's known as goodfaith; while stacking the deck of surety for his own toppling reward. Meanwhile, it might as well be the clobber of a steely snowball that thwarts his plan. Stopped cold; he realizes he's no match for the hatched plans of his boss's southern teen peach; whom is determined to bed,wed, and breed w/an American-hating com-munist dream-boat. The adorable comrade is played by Horst Buchholz; who gives an equally outrageous portrayal of single-minded ambition in the atmos-phere of chaos and cola... Arlene Francis is a cinch as James Cagney's 'had-it-up-to-here', delightfully droll wife; what style, what panache', what zingers she can throw! While the heart of the film spins, stirs, and tingles; like a long awaited tonic...it's the script that emulsifies all of the in- gredients of this concoction; not tomention the superbly genious direction of the one and only Mr. Billy Wilder.... After a tedious day; please allow me to suggest a beverage that's clarifying year 'round: Pour: 1 part:'The Fortune Cookie' Pour: 2 parts:'His Girl Friday' Drizzle: 2 parts:'Some Like it Hot' Squirt: 1 part:'White Heat' Swizzle: 3 parts:'Yankee Doodle Dandy Spray: 3 long streams: 'Bringing up Baby' * while blending gently w/a wink & * a nod...careful to stir and not * to shake.... You'll have a Slurplelicious Dandy of a time...Bottoms Up! Anouk, ;-)
Rating: Summary: fast moving cold war comedy Review: one,two,three is in my opinion a small gem of a movie that plays on the news of it's time in a most acerbic and yet fun way. one of my personal favorites.
Rating: Summary: Another unremembered classic Review: People who know Jimmy Cagney only as a wise cracking ganster or Horst Buchholz as Chico in the MAGNIFICANT SEVEN or Arline Frances from TO TELL THE TRUTH will be absolutly delighted. The lines are like a gusher of water in the desert when you're dying of thurst, you want to drink in every one. This is the fastest paced movie since A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. The pace is furrious as is Cagney. It is full of comic timing and genius. A fine subplot involves the relationship between Cagney and Frances, this movie is full of messages if you look deep at it. Of course that will have to wait till the 4th or 5th viewing since you'll be laughing too hard to notice it. Perhaps the leftward tilt of Hollywood keeps this movie off the small screen as it pokes fun of all the weaknesses of communism, but whatever your views you can't help but laugh.
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