One, Two, Three (1961) ***1/2

Billy Wilder's One, Two, Three (1961) is a breakneck Cold War screwball rollercoaster. It tanked at the box office (the Berlin Wall was built after principle photography began), it's full of stereotypes (some of which feel playful), and at times it plays like a big ol' ad for Coca-Cola. It's also occasionally hilarious and has some great zingers (including callbacks to earlier classic films). 

James Cagney carries the bulk of the rapid-fire pace and dialogue and does so commendably. Divorced from the events as current, some (but not all) of the political aspects are pretty pointed and funny. The performances are really broad and LARGE. As key as it is to the film, and as catchy and appropriate as the tune is to the scenes in which it soundtracks, Aram Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" does grate on the nerves a bit after the first few times it's used.

O,T,T is a loud, fast, and silly film but not a dumb one. It's no comedy classic like Wilder's two previous films, Some Like It Hot (1959) (my review here) and The Apartment (1960) (my review here), but it's a fun ride that's worth taking. Recommended for fans of The Marx Brothers, His Girl Friday (1940) (my review here), and Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) (my review here).

You can find my Billy Wilder Films Ranked list here.

You can find my Top 20 Directors list here.