In his last winning movie, a World War II farce, Danny Kaye gives a virtuoso performance in a dual role as General Lawrence MacKenzie-Smith, a British military bigwig marked for death by the Nazis, and Pfc. Ernie Williams, a bumbling, hypochondriac American soldier who's recruited to stand in for him. The 1961 film plays to Kaye's considerable comic strengths—facility with dialects, tireless energy, and knack for physical comedy—while several set pieces recall his best work. Kaye is ably supported by Dana Wynter, portraying MacKenzie-Smith's neglected wife; Diana Dors as the blonde bombshell chauffeur who's also his mistress; and Wilfrid Hyde-White as a British officer in on the charade. Jesse White (aka the Maytag Repairman) adds some good old American bluster as Ernie's pal. Director Melville Shavelson, who began his career as one of Bob Hope's writers, serves Kaye well, while the clever script, which Shavelson co-wrote with Jack Rose, features some ace gags. Kaye's real-life wife, Sylvia Fine, wrote the entertaining songs. Making its long overdue DVD debut, On the Double is recommended. (D. Liebenson)[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 27, 2013—Olive, 92 min., not rated, Blu-ray: $24.95— Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1961's On the Double sports a decent transfer and DTS-HD mono audio, but no special features. Bottom line: a fine Danny Kaye vehicle takes a welcome bow on Blu-ray.]
On the Double
Olive, 92 min., not rated, DVD: $24.95 Volume 26, Issue 3
On the Double
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