One Two Three (1961) – crackling satire

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Genre : Comedy + Satire (political, business practices, Cold War…)

Length : 1 hour 48 minutes

Platform : You Tube (free)

Director : Billy Wilder.

If it’s a Billy Wilder film, prepare for non-stop drama and machine gun like dialogue delivery. Wilder’s noted for his sarcastic sense of humor in many of his comedies like Stalag 17, Some like it hot, The Front Page, The Odd Couple, etc .  Most of his rib-tickling comedies make some statement (in the background). One Two Three is also along the same lines.

Except that it had a disastrously wrong release timing.

Set in West Berlin , it was released on December 15, 1961 while the Berlin Wall had gone up on August 13,1961. The Cold War had almost gone hot, with American and Russian tanks in a stand off at Checkpoint Charlie while the world held its breath (picture left).  The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis would further drive home the point that the Cold War was no laughing matter. So the film’s lukewarm reception by critics and masses was already fated (A similar fate fell on Buffalo Soldiers about corrupt Army soldiers that was released on September 8, just three days before the September 11,  2001 World Trade Centre attacks and sank like a stone as it was felt to be an “unpatriotic” film, mocking the US Army). Given this background, it seems a bit sad that the film didnt do well as it has Wilder’s signature all over .

It’s 1961 and “Mac” McNamara (James Cagney) is a Coca Cola executive based in West Berlin. Mac is lobbying to become the head of European division and he gets a request from his Atlanta HQ to take care of Scarlett Hazeltine(Pamela Tiffin), the ditsy daughter of his boss. As expected Scarlett comes to Berlin and all hell breaks loose . Soon Mac discovers she is having an affair with an East German communist Otto (Horst Bucholz) and they plan to get married, with identical rings “forged from the metal of  cannon that fought at Stalingrad”. Since Mac had previously marketed Coca Cola to the Russians in East Berlin with no success, he has some useful contacts which come in handy when kidnapping Otto and then torturing him to confess that he was an American Spy. The instrument of torture ? The hit “beach rock” song “itsy bitsy yellow polka dot bikini”.  Mac’s position is further jeopardized when he learns that Scarlett’s father is also visiting West Berlin. Mac’s wife who is fed up , announces that she is also leaving him. Things go from bad to worse for Mac. Or do they?

In typical Wilder fashion, the camera frame in his office-set films is filled with numerous entries and exits, creating a passive observer effect.  There is a feeling of watching a drama and perhaps that’s why we can focus more on the characters and their foibles. The satire is  subtle and at times, blatant. Mac is a clear example of a “businessman” who will do anything to get his posting in London. He is also unafraid of starting a sales relationship with the communist East German and their Russian bosses. The “oh-so-noble” Communist who surrenders his communist ideals for love = marrying the daughter of a Coca Cola executive. Mac himself changing his tune to bring back Otto from the East  so that he can now satisfy his visiting Boss about a suitable match for the daughter. A former Gestapo officer constantly eavesdropping on Mac’s conversations.

The humor keeps popping up at a cracking pace , driven by James Cagney in a brilliant performance. It’s a little difficult to imagine him in a comic role given how he was famous for portraying gangsters of varying imbalance (Remember – Made it Ma? top the World ?) .  As Mac, he steals everyone’s thunder .

The final shot of the film is a classic about the Cola Wars and has seen to be believed (hint – check the DVD poster for the cola label / colors).

There are some interesting shots of the divided Berlin near Brandenburg Gate WITHOUT the Berlin Wall. Some shots of East Berlin too with the wartime rubble still visible . The climax is set at Templehof Airport, where operations were discontinued in 2008.Otherwise the studio feel of the film is clearly visible .

All in all an enjoyable romp and an excellent example of Billy Wilder’s deft craft which is free on You Tube.

Script –  4 out of 5

Story – 4 out of 5

Direction – 5 out of 5

Photography – 4 out of 5

Total – 4.3 out of 5