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The Storyline of “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” is a classic comedy movie directed by Billy Wilder and released in 1961. The plot is set in West Berlin during the Cold War era. The story revolves around the character of C.R. MacNamara, played by James Cagney, who is an executive at Coca-Cola’s West Berlin office. His boss has assigned him the task of taking care of his wild daughter Scarlett Hazeltine, played by Pamela Tiffin. Scarlett falls in love with a young East German named Otto Piffl and gets married to him out of rebellion.
The Cast of “One, Two, Three”
The cast of “One, Two, Three” includes some legendary names from Hollywood’s golden age such as James Cagney as C.R. MacNamara and Horst Buchholz as Otto Piffl. The movie also features Arlene Francis as Phyllis MacNamara and Pamela Tiffin as Scarlett Hazeltine.
The Plot
The plot of “One, Two, Three” is a rollercoaster ride filled with twists and turns that keep the audience engaged till the end.
C.R. MacNamara is trying to secure a promotion to head of Coca-Cola’s European division by impressing his boss with a successful launch of a new product. His plans are disrupted when his boss sends Scarlett to West Berlin and assigns MacNamara with the task of keeping her out of trouble. Scarlett falls in love with Otto Piffl, an East German communist who wants to defect to the West.
Meanwhile, MacNamara’s plans for the launch are threatened when the Soviets announce their own cola brand, Pussy Cola. MacNamara comes up with a plan to outsmart the Soviets and get the promotion he desires. He decides to use Scarlett’s marriage as a bargaining chip to get Otto Piffl back to East Germany so that they can infiltrate Soviet intelligence and steal their cola recipe.
The History Behind “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” was released at a time when tensions between the United States and Soviet Union were running high during the Cold War era. The movie is set in West Berlin which was a symbol of the ideological divide between communism and democracy.
The movie was based on a play called “Eins, Zwei, Drei” by Ferenc Molnár. Billy Wilder adapted it into a screenplay along with I.A.L. Diamond. The movie was shot on location in Germany which added authenticity to its Cold War era setting.
The Acting and Characters
The acting in “One, Two, Three” is outstanding with James Cagney giving an exceptional performance as C.R. MacNamara. His charisma and comedic timing make him an engaging character to watch. Horst Buchholz as Otto Piffl and Pamela Tiffin as Scarlett Hazeltine also give great performances.
The characters in the movie are well-developed and complement each other perfectly. C.R. MacNamara’s optimistic and cunning personality is a perfect foil to Scarlett’s wild and rebellious nature. Otto Piffl’s idealistic communist beliefs clash with MacNamara’s capitalist values creating humorous situations.
The Soundtrack of “One, Two, Three”
The soundtrack of “One, Two, Three” features music by André Previn. The music adds to the movie’s fast-paced comedy with its upbeat tempo and catchy tunes.
The theme song for the movie “Ich bin dein Mann” (I’m Your Man) is a fun song that captures the spirit of the movie perfectly.
The Popularity of “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” was a commercial success when it was released in 1961. The movie grossed over $6 million dollars in North America alone.
Over time the movie has gained cult status among fans of classic comedies due to its witty dialogue and fast-paced humor. It currently has an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Cinematography of “One, Two, Three”
The cinematography in “One, Two, Three” is outstanding with its use of vibrant colors and creative camera angles. The movie was shot on location in Berlin which gives it an authentic Cold War era setting.
The scene where C.R. MacNamara tries to get Otto Piffl to defect to the West is particularly well-shot with its use of close-ups and quick cuts creating a sense of urgency.
The Scenes from “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” has several memorable scenes that are sure to put a smile on your face. The scene where C.R. MacNamara tries to teach Scarlett how to behave like a proper American girl is hilarious.
Another memorable scene is when C.R. MacNamara realizes that his plan to outsmart the Soviets has gone awry and he tries to come up with a new plan while being chased by Soviet agents.
The Special Effects in “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” doesn’t have any special effects to speak of but it does use clever editing techniques to create the illusion of fast-paced action.
The scene where C.R. MacNamara is trying to get Otto Piffl to defect to the West is a great example of this. The quick cuts and close-ups create a sense of urgency and tension.
The Dialogue in “One, Two, Three”
The dialogue in “One, Two, Three” is fast-paced and witty with plenty of one-liners that will make you laugh out loud.
Some of the most memorable lines from the movie include:
“Listen Schlemmerhead…” – C.R. MacNamara
“Don’t call me ‘Schlemmerhead’.” – Scarlett Hazeltine
“I’ll call you whatever I please.” – C.R. MacNamara
The Crews Behind “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” was directed by Billy Wilder who also co-wrote the screenplay along with I.A.L Diamond. The movie was produced by Billy Wilder and Doane Harrison was the editor.
The movie’s music was composed by André Previn and the cinematography was done by Daniel L. Fapp.
The Production of “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” was filmed on location in Berlin which added authenticity to its Cold War era setting. The production had to deal with several challenges such as the language barrier as not everyone spoke English.
The movie had a budget of $3 million dollars which was a significant amount at the time. The result was a well-produced movie that has stood the test of time.
The Editing in “One, Two, Three”
The editing in “One, Two, Three” is outstanding with its quick cuts and use of close-ups creating a sense of urgency and tension.
Doane Harrison did an excellent job of keeping the movie’s fast-paced narrative flowing smoothly while retaining its comedic timing.
The Evaluation of “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” is a classic comedy movie that has stood the test of time. Its witty dialogue, fast-paced humor, and iconic performances by James Cagney and Horst Buchholz make it a must-watch for fans of classic comedies.
The movie’s setting in Cold War-era Berlin adds to its appeal and gives it historical significance.
The Analysis of “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” is a satire on the ideological divide between communism and capitalism during the Cold War era. The movie uses humor to highlight the absurdity of both ideologies and how they clash with each other.
The character of C.R. MacNamara represents capitalist values while Otto Piffl represents communist ideals. The movie shows how both characters learn from each other and come to appreciate each other’s point of view.
The Gossip Surrounding “One, Two, Three”
There isn’t much gossip surrounding “One, Two, Three” but it is interesting to note that James Cagney was initially hesitant to take on the role of C.R. MacNamara as he had retired from acting at that time.
However, Billy Wilder convinced him to take on the role which turned out to be one of his most iconic performances.
The Criticism of “One, Two, Three”
“One, Two, Three” was criticized by some for its portrayal of communism as a caricature. The movie was also criticized for its lack of historical accuracy and stereotyping of Germans.
However, these criticisms are largely unfounded as “One, Two, Three” is a satire that uses humor to highlight the absurdity of both communism and capitalism. The movie’s portrayal of Germans is also in line with its fast-paced comedy and not meant to be taken seriously.
The Conclusion
“One, Two, Three” is a classic comedy movie that has stood the test of time. Its witty dialogue, fast-paced humor and iconic performances by James Cagney and Horst Buchholz make it a must-watch for fans of classic comedies. Despite its criticisms, the movie remains a satirical masterpiece that highlights the absurdity of both communism and capitalism during the Cold War era.