I remember seeing this movie in December 1965 with my dad and my brother and this was one film that had all of us stitches. It was hilarious! The movie began with an equally entertaining beginning. Being a 20th Century Fox movie, instead of that majestic intro, the intro, same music, was played on a miss-tuned upright piano.
Then came the opening theme with the corny cartoon of the old time airplanes flying slowly across the screen with the opening credits following as the opening theme played with the lyrics on the lower half and a bouncing ball so the audience could sing along.
This movie had all the tell tale signs of a Blake Edwards movie. I was surprised to learn that Blake Edwards had nothing to do with this movie, except, perhaps set an example of how great films are made with his many hit movies, like THE PINK PANTHER, for example, with an opening theme that was so popular that they had to make a cartoon series out of that silly pink feline. Back to the movie.
Terry Thoman made such a delightfully sinister villain that even though we were not supposed to like him, neither did we want him to get his just desserts too soon in the movie.
Alberto Sordi played the Italian perfectly. Maybe his being a real Italian with a long list of Italian comedies, always funny, but never typecast.
Ethnic stereotypes were played out throughout the movie. But considering that they were played by an international cast, an Italian actor playing the Italian pilot, a German actor playing the German pilot, etc... Nobody could or should've taken offense. The whole movie was done in fun the way a good comedy should be done.
I was surprised to find this movie on a discounted DVD. It cost less than $9.00. Even in the $18.00 price range, this movie would've been worth its price. I was also surprised to find that I enjoy this movie just as much today as I did when I saw it in 1965. One may call it "second childhood". I call it an excellent movie.
Buy it, don't rent it. That way, you will be able to enjoy this movie over and over again. I know I have.
Then came the opening theme with the corny cartoon of the old time airplanes flying slowly across the screen with the opening credits following as the opening theme played with the lyrics on the lower half and a bouncing ball so the audience could sing along.
This movie had all the tell tale signs of a Blake Edwards movie. I was surprised to learn that Blake Edwards had nothing to do with this movie, except, perhaps set an example of how great films are made with his many hit movies, like THE PINK PANTHER, for example, with an opening theme that was so popular that they had to make a cartoon series out of that silly pink feline. Back to the movie.
Terry Thoman made such a delightfully sinister villain that even though we were not supposed to like him, neither did we want him to get his just desserts too soon in the movie.
Alberto Sordi played the Italian perfectly. Maybe his being a real Italian with a long list of Italian comedies, always funny, but never typecast.
Ethnic stereotypes were played out throughout the movie. But considering that they were played by an international cast, an Italian actor playing the Italian pilot, a German actor playing the German pilot, etc... Nobody could or should've taken offense. The whole movie was done in fun the way a good comedy should be done.
I was surprised to find this movie on a discounted DVD. It cost less than $9.00. Even in the $18.00 price range, this movie would've been worth its price. I was also surprised to find that I enjoy this movie just as much today as I did when I saw it in 1965. One may call it "second childhood". I call it an excellent movie.
Buy it, don't rent it. That way, you will be able to enjoy this movie over and over again. I know I have.