To Be or Not to Be was made in 1941. It takes place two years earlier in Warsaw, when Germany invaded Poland. It was released nearly two months after Carole Lombard's death in a plane crash. She was flying around the country selling war bonds. Her last words before entering her plane in Indiana were, "Before I say goodbye to you all - come on - join me in a big cheer- V for victory!"
Lombard plays Maria, a patriotic Polish actress married to an extremely vain actor, Joseph. He is so conceited that he loves himself more than his wife. This causes her to flirt with and date a Polish Air Force pilot named Stanislov. He visits her backstage whenever Joseph starts reciting Hamlet's soliloquy. This upsets Joseph, but not because he is visiting his wife but because he is walking out during his performance. He complains about it to Maria, who says that, "Maybe he didn't feel well. Maybe he had to leave. Maybe he had a sudden heart attack." To which Joseph replies, "I hope so."
During a production of Hamlet, Germany attacks. A narrator speaks of patriotism and the use of "V" for victory as a symbol of hope. Stanislov goes to England to fly with the Royal Air Force while Maria and Joseph join the Polish underground. Although this is a comedy it also works well as a World War II adventure tale. Stanislov parachutes back into Poland after discovering a professor, Siletsky, is a spy. He told Stanislov he lived in Warsaw, but he never heard of Maria. He has to stop the spy, who is in Warsaw, before he reveals too much information.
Stanislov ends up staying with Maria. Joseph finds him sleeping in his bed. "How did you get here?" "I jumped from a plane." "Right into my bed aye?" Siletsky has Maria brought in for questioning. He propositions her to spy for Germany as well as start an affair. Maria, Stanislov and Joseph devise a plan to kill Siletsky. This involves Maria going to dinner with Siletsky and Joseph impersonating a Nazi officer. He assures members of the underground that he can play the role, "I am going to do the impossible, I am going to surpass myself."
I like how these older films make sexual suggestions in vague ways. When Maria goes to Siletsky's room, he pours her a drink and says, "Should we drink to a blitzkrieg?" She quickly, yet cooling, responds, "I prefer a slow encirclement." Maria states that Stanislov and Maria never actually had sex, but watch her interest peak when Stanislov tells her, "I don't know about it being thrilling. But it's quite a bomber. You might not believe it, but I can drop three tons of dynamite in two minutes."
To Be or Not to Be is a comedy first but it works well as a drama. Someone gets shot and killed. Maria seems surrounded by Nazi's who want to have sex with her. In the film's most tense scene, the Nazi's discover Joseph is a fake.
Carole Lombard never looked so good. Although known for her comedic timing, she was also quite a beautiful woman. I only know Jack Benny from his television work, but he is hilarious here. He cancelled his radio program on the day he heard of Lombard's death. Robert Stack is fine as the love struck pilot. He would also go on to greater fame on television.
To Be or Not to Be is a great film that only seems to go over the top in one brief moment on a plane. As I wrote, this is a comedy and to mark it down for one scene is ridiculous. Besides, the final scene makes up for it.
