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This comedy is a cold war gem, and unfortunately many people have never discovered. It's one of the later movies James Cagny made, and Arlene Francis is excellent is his wife. This was the first movie for Horst Buckholz, who later became one of the "The Magnificent Seven." Cagny was absolutely magnificent in this comic role! The story (minimal spoilers) is about the top Coke company man in West Germany during the cold war, who is ambitious to move up. The head of Coke sends his goofy daughter over for Cagny to keep her out of trouble, but the next thing he knows she has crossed into East Berlin and created a crisis for him. His frantic efforts to solve the problem go in a totally unexpected direction, and the movie takes its name both from its fast pace and a line Cagny speaks. What's fantastic in this movie is really the treat for those who lived through or understand the Cold War. The movie is full of sly German habit pattern jokes, ex-Nazi jibes, a running joke about corrupt but ineffective Soviet Commisars, and even mistress jokes. Highly recommended for those who remember the time and want to see it delightfully skewered in this fast-paced comedy. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
My father showed me this movie when it was on TV before cable. It was rarely on so I am thrilled to have it on DVD. First of all Cagney can't be beat. This must have been such a fun role for him to play. This was his last film until Ragtime in 1981! Arlene Francis plays his wife, Horst Bucholz plays an East Berliner who falls in love with the daughter of Cagney's boss. Cagney has to make him a respectable capitalist while flirting with his secretary and trying to be the first soda manufacturer behind the iron curtain. Maybe a little dated, now that the Cold War is over but still hilarious and full of great character actors as well as scenes from post-war Berlin. You won't go wrong.
Cold War spoof about an fast talking ad-man type who works for Coca-Cola in 1950's West Berlin. He is the consumate salesman clawing himself to the top job of Director of Sales for Europe. He has this idea to get Coke behind the Iron Curtain. MacNamara (James Cagney) and his wife (Arlene Frances) and their son are just about to leave for vacation when he receives a call from Mr. Hazeltine, the big boss in Atlanta, Ga, USA. It seems that his 17 year old daughter, Scarlett (Pamela Tiffin) is arriving in Berlin that day, and he wants Mac and his wife to look after her for a week or so. She is wild as the wind, giddy as a lunatic, and about dumb as a box of hammers - and the bosses daughter. Well, a week grows into months, and just when it seems like nothing else can go wrong, Scarlett disappears. After an initial panic, she returns. But they then find out that she has been sneaking out at night, that she is pregnant, and married to a card carrying East German communist! Oh, by the way, the Hazeltines are arriving in Berlin tomorrow! In the next 24 hours Mac has to figure out how to make him not only presentable, but a Baron, a manager of the bottling plant, teach him how to be polite, eat with a fork, wear shoes, and become a capitalist. All this and make it convincing to the Hazeltines. In typical fast-talking, mile a minute comedy, Cagney pulls it off. This is a hilarious movie. You won't stop laughing.Read full review
(1960) James Cagney's character is a loud-mouthed corporate businessman who is working in West Berlin during the cold war. His wife is pushing for a transfer stateside back to Atlanta, the Home Office. When his Boss'daughter turns up in West Berlin with her East Berlin communist boyfriend, Cagney's begins to see his transfer (and his marraige) explode before his eyes. And then she says she is pregnant! The comedy really begins when Cagney comes up with a plan, then lots of plans, in every which direction. This is a zany, fast paced comedy with well written script full of wonderful one-liners. I'm pleased I finally have the movie for my library - I know I'll be watching it many times!
A gem of a movie. The last staring role for James Cagney. So grateful to own this fantastic Billy Wilder film.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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