228 - To Be or Not to Be

Eavesdropping at the Movies · May 7, 2020 · 40m

Carole Lombard and Jack Benny lead chaos in 1942's To Be or Not to Be, Ernst Lubitsch's classic black comedy set amongst a group of actors turned resistors in occupied Poland. Considered to be in bad taste at the time, it was, to say the least, a bold film to make, one that mocked the very real and active threat of the Nazis to their faces. It's also endlessly witty and truly hilarious, generous and kind. It's a treat. We think about it in comparison to other satire, in particular that of Mel Brooks, who José argues has an aggression and contempt that Lubitsch avoids, while Mike suggests that…