Me and the Colonel (1958) User Reviews

One resourceful ally

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 20 June 2015]

In Me And The Colonel Danny Kaye's career took a dramatic turn as he stars in the movie version of the play Jacobowsky And The Colonel which was an autobiographical work of refugee writer Franz Werfel. It was also Werfel's last work as he died in 1945 as the play was running on Broadway. Werfel when fleeing France and the onrushing Nazi occupation traveled the same route from Paris to southern France and I'm sure his real life experiences verbatim would make an interesting story.

The play starred another refugee Oscar Karlweis as the philosophical Jewish refugee Jacobowsky and Louis Calhern as the stiff necked Polish colonel who among other things is anti-Semitic, so typical of his class in those days. On screen the colonel is played by CurtJurgens and he has a mission, to get to the United Kingdom and give the new Polish in exile government a list of contacts. Naturally the Nazis want to get their hands on him and the list. The colonel wants to also get his French wife Nicole Maurey out of France as well and his orderly Akim Tamiroff.

The film is their journey through France along the same path Werfel took to get out of Europe. In Jurgens mind Kaye is annoying Jew, but he gradually learns to both respect Kaye's resourcefulness and see a Jewish person as a human being. All too human as Maurey also starts to develop feelings for him.

For this role Kaye dropped a whole lot of his usual shtick and his performance is simple and restrained. The humor and there is a bit there is of the whimsical and ironical kind. He does it well. Two other performances of note are that of Alexander Scourby as the Nazi colonel who also has designs on Maurey and Martita Hunt as a helpful, make that very helpful Mother Superior of a convent.

For a different and refreshing Danny Kaye I highly recommend Me And The Colonel.

Danny Kaye's first drama

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 23 March 2023]

Even though the title sounds cute, Me and the Colonel is a drama. So, before you think you're going to get another "jester" or "Walter Mitty", Danny Kaye is different in this one. He dons a mustache, gray hair, and puts in a solid effort at a European accent. He plays a Jewish refugee trying to leave Paris before the Nazis come to officially occupy it. He's missed all the regular avenues out of town, so he has to hitch a ride with Curd Jurgens, an anti-Semitic Polish officer. Curd can't stand the situation, and Danny has to beg, borrow, and bribe his way into the backseat of the car (which he ends up purchasing so that Curd literally has no choice).

Danny Kaye was universally hailed for his dramatic performance, but probably only because of the shocking contrast to his usual fare. I don't mean to insult him, but if he was normally a dramatic actor, I'm sure Curd Jurgens would have been praised instead. Curd has a couple of really excellent, moving scenes; I'm glad American audiences got to see some of his talent, since he usually acted in German and French dramas.

Surprisingly, there's a love triangle in this movie. Curd's girlfriend Nicole Maurey comes along with them to sneak out of the country, and she's impressed by Danny's resourcefulness and generosity. In contrast to Curd's boldness and intensity, Danny is meek and forward-thinking. But, really, ladies; is there any contest? On your right, you have strength, masculinity, magnetism, class, distinction, and protection. On your left. . . Pick Mr. Right, Nicole! You'll have to watch this movie to find out if she has any sense. It is an enjoyable drama with snappy and clever dialogue, engrossing plot twists, and the rare feeling of "we don't know who's going to win the war" that movies in the 1950s failed to capture.

Not vintage Kaye!

[JohnHowardReid · 6/10 · 10 September 2016]

This Danny Kaye vehicle starts unpromisingly as a feeble, flat-footed comedy but develops – despite Curd Jurgens' heavily misplaced performance – into a slight but rather poignant little microcosm of suffering humanity. Danny Kaye, in a rare dramatic role, delivers a fine, sensitive account of "me" – which contrasts all the more with Jurgens' gaucheries. Glenville's direction is at its best in the handling of crowd scenes, and also in his effective use of natural locations. Elsewhere alas, he makes no attempts to dampen Jurgens' heavy-handed enthusiasm, or even to speed up any of the slow-moving expository scenes which – to add a total disinterest to what was already an almost complete turn-off – are filmed from the most uninteresting angles possible!

More and more i like this movie

[lfowden84 · 10/10 · 18 August 2006]

Caught this gem on late night TV a few years ago.Even though the story is set during World War II and Danny Kaye's character is trying to escape to safety, it has so many poignantly funny moments that one remembers and has a chuckle about it. My favourite: "in the cathedral of my heart a candle will be lit".This is by the Colonel to one of his many paramours. Eventually Danny Kaye cannot help himself and wonders how big is the Colonel's heart to accommodate all this candles? Next is the oft repeated line : "less and less I like this Jacoboski".Last but not least is the third character in the story, the faithful sergeant played by Akim Tamiroff. This film has drama,pathos,laughs and tears all within a story of escape,pride and sadly war.Highly sought after if released on DVD. Millie

Witty presentation of a difficult war era.

[lora64 · 10/10 · 22 June 2001]

I must say, Danny Kaye delivers a very skilful and thoughtful performance as Jacobowsky, and Curt Jurgens is hilarious in his over-the-top display of pompous honor as the military Colonel. In the dangerous and harrowing era of the war it's surprising that any degree of humor could be found in stark situations, but this story does so, and does it well. At times it's downright funny, other times it's delightfully witty, turning life's awkward moments into amusing vignettes. Yet shining throughout is the quality of Kaye's sympathetic character who draws on the inherited wisdom of his people to help him meet one difficulty after another. An excellent story indeed. Thank goodness human nature can still find humor even in life's most dire moments.

Film is unduly ignored

[Larry36 · 10/10 · 8 December 1999]

This film was a wonderful vehicle for the talents of Danny Kaye who played a serious, dramatic role instead of the typical zany comedic parts he usually performed. Franz Werfel,a Jew who had to flee Nazi Germany, wrote the drama on which this film is based and used much humor(especially in the relationship between Jakobowsky and the Colonel) to take on a serious subject: anti-semitism in Europe during World War II.In order to do this, he had to create stereotypes, which is common in comedy.

A similar stereotyping is done in Mussorgsky's piano suite "Pictures at an Exhibition" in the part called "Samuel Goldenberg and Schmyl." However, instead of satirizing two Jews, Werfel was making fun of the differences between an anti-semitic Polish aristocrat and a bourgeois Jewish Pole who has the gift of being a survivor. Perhaps, because of this, the reception of the film has been cool. It has never been released on laser disc or DVD in the U.S. and is seldom seen on television. However, it is available in Germany on DVD in anamorphic 16x9 format, PAL Region 2 encoding.

A Danny Kaye movie that more than stands the test of time

[CornanTheIowan · 9/10 · 6 February 2010]

This is a wonderful movie, well made and well acted, that gives us the chance to get to know the characters as the story unfolds.

As the movie begins, the setting in Paris as the Nazi army takes power in World War II is a familiar one. We're given a gentle introduction to Danny Kaye's character, one S.L. Jacobowsky, as he copes with the privations of wartime and finds creative ways around them.

The familiar setting also gives this movie more of a timeless feel than some of Danny Kaye's "camp" films such as The Court Jester (which I nonetheless put in my system recently while testing new connections and then sat down to watch to the end.)

I'm a great fan of Danny Kaye the entertainer, including the shtick (usually), but I like this movie precisely because it shows a side of his talents that we saw in only a handful of films, and perhaps on his television show. So sit back and relax and stop worrying the movie will dissolve into one of those camp musicals - it won't.

This is a wonderful role for Curd Jürgens as well, though almost anything I say would be telling too much. Nicole Maurey does a lovely job filling out the list of main characters.

Wonderful blend of drama, comedy, and pathos

[aromatic-2 · 9/10 · 7 September 1999]

Not your typical Danny Kaye movie, this brooding character study walks a tightrope among three genres and succeeds in being movie without being cloying. Curt Jurgens is marvelous as the Colonel. And, Danny Kaye gives one of his most distinctive performances. Well worth seeing.

Sweet sarcasm

[arieliondotcom · 9/10 · 17 January 2010]

It's hard to understand how war and humor can go together. But the whole premise of this film is that human beings can manage to laugh in even the bitterest experiences. In fact, it's sometimes the irony of life that brings laughter through the tears as sarcasm.

Sweet sarcasm is the core of this movie and Danny Kaye is the only one who could deliver it with such pathos and perfection. Amid hatred and discrimination, stupidity and war there is cleverness and cutting truth delivered through irony.

Outstanding writing and casting make this a gem. The only flaw in the diamond is that it gets slow sometimes and can feel like a late 50's movie masquerading in a 40's war movie coat.

Making the movie in color would have been too jarring to the concept of an "old" war movie. But it is also noticed in it's absence.

This is a great movie in a dull package but sharp minds will watch and heed its pointed humor and laugh through their tears.

I Will Light a Candle to You in the Synagogue of My Heart!

[malvernp · 9/10 · 29 October 2020]

It is well known that many comic actors are frustrated serious dramatic thespians. Why else would Charlie Chaplin make Monsieur Verdoux or Limelight? Or Bill Murray tackle the leading roles in the remake of The Razor's Edge or Mad Dog and Glory? Or Steve Martin take on such projects as the 1981 version of Pennies From Heaven or The Spanish Prisoner? Or Cary Grant (who picked his roles with great care) assume the part of the disillusioned Cockney drifter in the decidedly downbeat None But The Lonely Heart?

Apparently, the reverse situation is far less common. Laurence Olivier made The Divorce Of Lady X in 1938, and that did not tempt him to do comedy again when he became more famous and in better control of his career (with the exception of the unfortunate The Prince And The Showgirl). The Bride Came C.O.D. and The Man Who Came To Dinner were projects that Bette Davis made without much commitment--and it shows. Greer Garson starred in Julia Misbehaves and the less said about it the better. Humphrey Bogart seems decidedly out of his element in Sabrina.

This leads us to Danny Kaye and Me And The Colonel (MATC). This film represents a real departure from Kaye's generally hyperkinetic physical comedies of earlier years. In MATC, he takes on the part of a somewhat shy, gentle, clever but understated character just trying to survive in a very unsettled world. He does this with great sensitivity and believability. Kaye actually makes it seem plausible that such a man could be seen as attractive by the very lovely Nicole Maurey. None of the manic aspects of Danny Kaye's comic character surface during the movie. His naturalistic acting style is quite engaging. The delightful interplay between Kaye and Curt Jurgens (the anti-Semitic Colonel who grows to greatly appreciate Kaye's Jewish Samuel Jacobowsky) is a real treat to watch. It is refreshing to see a Jewish character depicted in a way that makes his cunning, intelligence and wit appear as positive rather than negative personal attributes.

This is a lovely film that is not well known by the general public. It successfully transforms a serious wartime situation that borders on tragedy into a journey of growth, discovery and humanity. Kaye had every right to be proud that he made this movie.

beautiful

[Kirpianuscus · 2 April 2020]

The basic prize for the viewer is the acting. Then the humor. Not the last, the gentle romance. A story of war and survive, seductive for the clash between characters, for the birth of a sort of comradery and for something remaining great for wise manner to use sentimental nuances.

Great but hard to find Danny Kaye Movie

[mmyy · 10/10 · 25 March 2018]

This is a movie based on a play by Franz Werfel who had the "priviledge" of being the writer whose books Hitler vowed to burn first. Luckily, he was able to escape Europe and come to America. As a side note--he was married to Alma Mahler Werfel--Mahler's widow who managed to marry or live with many of the greatest artists of the 20th century. But Werfel had quite a time trying to escape Hitler and his play was about this story. When the play came to Broadway it was softened and a lot of humor was added. The movie is more true to the Broadway play. And it is a WONDERFUL movie. Full of suspense, humor, innocence and evil. All the acting is wonderful. Danny Kaye does a wonderful job in the lead. It is not like any of his other movies. Black and white and beautiful. Worth whatever trouble you have in finding it.

Different kind of movie for Danny Kaye

[marytc · 10/10 · 24 March 1999]

Me and the Colonel was a different movie for Danny Kaye, it was drama rather than a musical, he was very good in it. I especially liked the parts where he conned he way through situations. All in all I really enjoyed the movie.

Danny Kaye in a serious role!

[lilyevans-64502 · 31 December 2017]

We all know he's a knockout comedian, but this movie really comes to prove how versatile Danny Kaye is. At first I was doubting whether it would be amusing because I was not laughing, but then his performance left me teary eyed. Just one thing-it would have been much better to see his gorgeous orange hair in color. But no complaints! This is a wonderful movie that should be better known!

Danny Kaye's one serious film - and his best

[clanciai · 10/10 · 3 March 2021]

The story is by Franz Werfel, the author of among other novels "The Song of Bernadette", also made into a famous film, but this is a war story about mainly refugees and their ordeals under the German occupation - the film starts with the Germans advancing on Paris. Danny Kaye, a Polish Jew, and Curt Jurgens, a Polish officer wanted by the Gestapo, both have to run for their lives, but the colonel is an impossible bully and almost outrageous in his intolerability. Danny Kaye is an accomplished master of survival, while the colonel only knows military force and hard elbows. Nevertheless Danny Kaye succeeds in getting him out of Paris by his roundabout methods of cleverness, while the colonel just hates him from the beginning and makes their escape as difficult and impossible as possible. He even insists on getting out his beloved from behind the German lines in Rheims, while he is almost only active in drinking. They manage to get her out of Rheims, but then the worst part remains. The glory of the film is in the characters expressed by a very interesting dialogue, naturally with many arguments and conflicts, but the quiet philosophical deep and experienced wisdom of Danny Kaye sustains the drama all the way, which more and more turns into a thriller. Alexander Scourby as a polite but resolute German officer plays an interesting part, Francoise Rosay is the hostess at the inn in Paris, and Martita Hunt has a decisive supporting part as an abbess turning up on three occasions in just the right moment. The music by George Duning adds some lyricism to the drama, there is a dancing scene at a sumptuous French chateau that you will never forget, and above all the direction is superb. I saw this film 55 years ago, it was already then etched into my mind, but after such a long time it proved much better than I remembered. It's a pity that Danny Kaye did not continue making serious films, "Five Pennies" by all means is serious indeed in all its authentic realism, but he never returned to any kind of the serious but still humorous sincerity of S.L.Jacobowsky.

Sentimental slant on a peculiar situation

[m_finebesser · 9/10 · 17 August 2001]

A Polish Jew teams up with a German Colonel on a postwar expedition. To say that they make an odd couple is the understatement of the century. The actors are good enough that the sentimental approach never wears too thin. If your tolerance for pathos is low, you may wish to avoid this one. Otherwise, the performances are first-rate and it will make you feel good.