IMDb > To Be or Not to Be (1942)
To Be or Not to Be
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

To Be or Not to Be (1942) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 14 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   8,430 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for To Be or Not to Be on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 March 1942 (USA) more
Genre:
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:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins more
NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Lol: Brian Cox Teaches Hamlet Masterclass To a Two-Year Old
 (From Slash Film. 11 December 2009, 8:37 AM, PST)

Jude Law ... You Are the Father
 (From TMZ. 11 October 2009, 8:08 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Sublime 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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
99 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:

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:
Joseph Tura: Well, Colonel, all I can say is... you can't have your cake and shoot it, too. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "L.A. Law: TV or Not TV (#6.2)" (1991) more
Soundtrack:
Polonaise in A Major more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
19 out of 25 people found the following comment useful.
Sublime, 4 October 2002
Author: ivan-22 from Los Angeles

This movie proves that comedy can be sublime. At a time when the gods are crazy, this movie swims with the current, seeking to outdo their craziness. That's why it's also very touching. The outcome of the craziness was unknown at the time. That also makes this film daring. Whether intentionally or not, the film implies that Hitler himself was a Hitler-impersonator, that Hitler is a kind of unattainable ideal, a Platonic idea of pure evil. A similarly sublime and bold and touching film made during another craziness (not twenty years thereafter, as its more applauded cousins!) is "THE GAY DECEIVERS" (1969). It too dances with the gods, and breaks your heart as it makes you laugh.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (65 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for To Be or Not to Be (1942)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Greatest quote... lordxur
Breaking the Code? (Possible MINOR spoiler) user-38
Has anyone noticed the appointment list? jcabc3596
DVD -- March 1 ruggedrascal
It's Not Shemp Howard The Daz
First scene of all tfishandchips
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
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:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.