On The Double (1961)

The British army recruits an American G.I. (Danny Kaye) with a talent for mimicry to impersonate a British General (Danny Kaye). But they don't tell him the reason for it: the General is an assassination target for Nazi spies. Directed by Melville Shavelson (HOUSEBOAT). This isn't the first time Kaye has played multiple roles (think SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY or ON THE RIVIERA) and the situation is rife with comic possibilities. Alas, the film doesn't take advantage of them. Indeed, Kaye seems rather lacklustre here with the manic craziness that earmarks his brand of humor appearing only occasionally. The one genuine comedic highlight is a formal party where a cat steals Kaye's contact lens and Kaye is forced to interact without being able to see. That sequence also includes a very amusing Margaret Rutherford as Kaye's belligerent whisky drinking Aunt and a funny Highland Fling which Kaye attempts to participate in. Other than that, it's hit and miss, mostly miss and the last half hour really drags. Plus, I didn't find the "Oh, those crazy, nutty Nazis" caricatures very amusing but then I never quite got that whole Hogan's Heroes comic Nazis thing. With Dana Wynter as Kaye's wife, Diana Dors as Kaye's mistress, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Jesse White and Gregory Walcott.