1941 (1979)

**_Spielberg’s wild comedy about the West Coast’s response to Pearl Harbor_**

This is basically a melding of "The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!" with the over-the-top zaniness of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," both of which were made by the same production team. Like those flicks, it features an all-star cast with the likes of Robert Stack, Treat Williams, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Christopher Lee, Tim Matheson, Warren Oates, Slim Pickens and more. Blondes Nancy Allen and Diane Kay shine on the feminine front.

I think it’s all-around more entertaining than those two prior movies. If you’re in the mood for a fun, dynamic flick, you can’t go wrong. Speaking of dynamic, there’s a great Jitterbug sequence. People forget how crazy that dance was back in the day.

Contrary to what some believe, “1941” was a moderate hit at the box office, just not a massive hit. Not to mention it has gone on to develop a deserved cult following.

It runs 1h 58m and was shot Oct-May 1978-1979 in the greater Los Angeles area with the opening sequence done on the Oregon coast at Cannon Beach and Gold Beach, the latter of which is a six hours’ drive south of the former.

GRADE: B

In short, 1941 is gloriously unhinged chaos! I saw it 3 times in the theaters!! John Williams delivers an absolutely brilliant, swaggering score that punches every scene. It's messy, mad, bonkers and totally unforgettable type of movie! I absolutely love this flick!!!!

Anyone remember "The Mouse that Roared" (1959)? Well this reminded me of that, only nowhere near as good or funny. Days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a Japanese submarine that probably couldn't find it's own way back home stumbles into Los Angeles harbour. Shame prohibits them from returning home without some sort of victory honour, so they decide to decimate Hollywood. Meantime, tempers and hormones are running high in the city with the sailors and the soldiers all getting set for a jingoistic battle royal whilst hoping to pull the odd chick or two along the way. As captain "Mitamura" (Toshiro Mifune) selects his target the local equivalent of "Dad's Army" are atop the ferris wheel keeping watch - but what chance they will spot their intruder? The dancehall is packed to the rafters for a radio competition with quite a grand prize, and that's where "Stretch" (Treat Williams) is vying with the nimble on his feet "Wally" (Bobby Di Circo) for the attentions of a gal whilst the madcap "Wild Bill" (John Belushi) patrols the skies desparate for a kill. With these scenes now set, the slapstick now goes into overdrive and Steven Spielberg decides to take us on a messy series of escapades that evolve from the timid mouse to more of a no-expense spared nightmare for the set builders, the paint-tin fillers and just about anyone who lives or works in a city that is soon being destroyed far more effectively but it's own side than it ever could have been by the enemy. Now if you like your comedy chaotic, fairly puerile and rapid-fire the this ought to do nicely. I don't really and with the possible exception of Christopher Lee in the unlikely role of a Nazi U-boat captain disdainfully observing his Imperial counterpart, I lost interest in this quite quickly. Some of the sequences, especially the dancing, seem to go on interminably and I felt the whole film simply ran out of ideas after about half an hour. Worryingly, it ends as if a sequel could have been on the cards - I was left with a sinking feeling, and not in a good way either! Wasn't for me, sorry.