IMDb >
To Be or Not to Be (1942)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsTo Be or Not to Be (1942) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
6 March 1942 (USA)
more
Plot:
During the Nazi occupation of Poland, an acting troupe becomes embroiled in a Polish soldier's efforts to track down a German spy. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Nazi
|
Actor
|
WWII
|
Polish Resistance
|
Blitzkrieg
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 2 wins
more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Jude Law ... You Are the Father
(From TMZ. 11 October 2009, 8:08 AM, PDT)
Curio: 10 Cents for Carole
(From FilmExperience. 7 October 2009, 11:00 AM, PDT)
(From TMZ. 11 October 2009, 8:08 AM, PDT)
Curio: 10 Cents for Carole
(From FilmExperience. 7 October 2009, 11:00 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Playing Hamlet in Poland
more (65 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Carole Lombard | ... | Maria Tura | |
| Jack Benny | ... | Joseph Tura | |
| Robert Stack | ... | Lieut. Stanislav Sobinski | |
| Felix Bressart | ... | Greenberg | |
| Lionel Atwill | ... | Rawitch | |
| Stanley Ridges | ... | Professor Siletsky | |
| Sig Ruman | ... | Col. Ehrhardt | |
| Tom Dugan | ... | Bronski | |
| Charles Halton | ... | Producer Dobosh | |
| George Lynn | ... | Actor-Adjutant | |
| Henry Victor | ... | Capt. Schultz | |
| Maude Eburne | ... | Anna | |
| Halliwell Hobbes | ... | Gen. Armstrong | |
| Miles Mander | ... | Major Cunningham |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
Canada:PG (video rating) |
South Korea:12 (2003) |
Finland:S |
Sweden:15 |
USA:Approved (PCA #7834) |
West Germany:12
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Carole Lombard took the female lead despite the strenuous objections of her husband, Clark Gable.
more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Tura is disguised as Colonel Erhardt in his meeting with Siletsky he is wearing the uniform of a Major General (actually an SS-Gruppenfuehrer).
more
Quotes:
Josef Tura:
Someone walked out on me. Tell me, Maria, am I losing my grip?
Maria Tura: Oh, of course not, darling. I'm so sorry.
Josef Tura: But he walked out on me.
Maria Tura: Maybe he didn't feel well. Maybe he had to leave. Maybe he had a sudden heart attack.
Josef Tura: I hope so.
Maria Tura: If he stayed he might have died.
Josef Tura: Maybe he's dead already! Oh, darling, you're so comforting.
more
Maria Tura: Oh, of course not, darling. I'm so sorry.
Josef Tura: But he walked out on me.
Maria Tura: Maybe he didn't feel well. Maybe he had to leave. Maybe he had a sudden heart attack.
Josef Tura: I hope so.
Maria Tura: If he stayed he might have died.
Josef Tura: Maybe he's dead already! Oh, darling, you're so comforting.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Dieu est grand, je suis toute petite (2001)
more
Soundtrack:
Polonaise in A Major
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (65 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for To Be or Not to Be (1942) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Die Blechtrommel | Annie Hall | The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp | Ostre sledované vlaky | Shakespeare in Love |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |

Having seen most of Ernst Lubitsch American films, we had missed this one because it's not played often these days. "To Be, or not to Be" is a wonderful satire that only a director like Lubitsch, with his European background could have pulled. The film is a good comedy that seems to has kept some of its freshness intact.
The film works because of the great contribution of Jack Benny and Carole Lombard, who sadly, died before the film had its premiere. They play the Turas, a Polish theatrical couple that foresee the Nazi invasion of their country.
In fact, Jack Benny, a man associated as a comedian, first on radio, then on television, was an actor with an uncanny sense of timing. Mr. Benny was a natural for this type of comedy, as he proves in the film. His pairing with Carole Lombard was a stroke of genius. In fact, for being associated to lighter fare, he demonstrates with his take on Joseph Tura, he was an actor of stature.
Carole Lombard is seen as Maria Tura, a grand dame of the Polish theater. Ms. Lombard gave a marvelous performance and her contribution to the success of this film is amazing. Robert Stack is seen as the pilot Sobinski. Other faces in the cast include Felix Bressard, Lionel Atwill, Sig Ruman, George Lynn, and others that are perfect under Ernst Lubitsch guidance.
This is a film to be treasured because of the work of Jack Benny and the impeccable direction of Ernst Lubitsch.