Me and the Colonel (1958)

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!

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

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.

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.