This is a wonderful movie, well made and well acted, that gives us the chance to get to know the characters as the story unfolds.
As the movie begins, the setting in Paris as the Nazi army takes power in World War II is a familiar one. We're given a gentle introduction to Danny Kaye's character, one S.L. Jacobowsky, as he copes with the privations of wartime and finds creative ways around them.
The familiar setting also gives this movie more of a timeless feel than some of Danny Kaye's "camp" films such as The Court Jester (which I nonetheless put in my system recently while testing new connections and then sat down to watch to the end.)
I'm a great fan of Danny Kaye the entertainer, including the shtick (usually), but I like this movie precisely because it shows a side of his talents that we saw in only a handful of films, and perhaps on his television show. So sit back and relax and stop worrying the movie will dissolve into one of those camp musicals - it won't.
This is a wonderful role for Curd Jürgens as well, though almost anything I say would be telling too much. Nicole Maurey does a lovely job filling out the list of main characters.
As the movie begins, the setting in Paris as the Nazi army takes power in World War II is a familiar one. We're given a gentle introduction to Danny Kaye's character, one S.L. Jacobowsky, as he copes with the privations of wartime and finds creative ways around them.
The familiar setting also gives this movie more of a timeless feel than some of Danny Kaye's "camp" films such as The Court Jester (which I nonetheless put in my system recently while testing new connections and then sat down to watch to the end.)
I'm a great fan of Danny Kaye the entertainer, including the shtick (usually), but I like this movie precisely because it shows a side of his talents that we saw in only a handful of films, and perhaps on his television show. So sit back and relax and stop worrying the movie will dissolve into one of those camp musicals - it won't.
This is a wonderful role for Curd Jürgens as well, though almost anything I say would be telling too much. Nicole Maurey does a lovely job filling out the list of main characters.