Spielberg taps into the roots of movie comedy

Rating: 9/10 (16 September 2005)

I have always considered "1941" to be a misunderstood masterpiece. Stevie tapped into the madcap comedies of the 1930's and captured that amazing frenetic energy wonderfully. The inter-cut, naturally delivered but wholly contrived dialog is pure Howard Hawks while the sight gags, non requiters, and puns seem like the Marx Brothers. We have mistaken identity (a few times!), a dangerously-crazy villain, a humorously crazy hero, the local schlub turned hero, epic quests that are ultimately meaningless, and befuddled fathers.
OK, its not "Bringing Up Baby" (which was considered a terrible bomb in its own day), but it carries on the same traditions. Watch "Duck Soup", "Bringing Up Baby", and "Sons of the Desert", then watch "1941" with that same outlook.