The Goose Steps Out (1942)

A bumbling teacher turns out to be the double of a German general. He is flown into Germany to impersonate the general and cause chaos and hilarity in a Hitler Youth college.

Directors:

Basil Dearden, Will Hay

Writers:

Bernard Miles (based on an idea by), Reg Groves (based on an idea by) (as Reg. Groves)

Stars:

Will Hay, Charles Hawtrey, Peter Croft

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Will Hay	...	William Potts / Muller
Charles Hawtrey	...	Max
Peter Croft	...	Hans
Barry Morse	...	Kurt
Peter Ustinov	...	Krauss
Anne Firth	...	Lena
Frank Pettingell	...	Prof. Hoffman
Leslie Harcourt	...	Vogel
Julien Mitchell	...	Gen. Von Goltz
Jeremy Hawk	...	A.D.C.
Raymond Lovell	...	Schmidt
Aubrey Mallalieu	...	Rector
John Williams	...	Maj. Bishop
Lawrence O'Madden	...	Col. Truscott

Storyline

A bumbling teacher turns out to be the double of a German general. He is flown into Germany to impersonate the general and cause chaos and hilarity in a Hitler Youth college.

---

Plot Keywords:

hitlerjugend | spy | world war two | 

---

Taglines:

Pokes Fun at the Hun!

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Theatrical movie debut of Barry Morse (Kurt).

---

Goofs

When the British officials persuade him to go to Germany as a spy, Potts says "You say I've got a lot of nerve." When he says those words one of his fingers is bandaged and he is holding a cigarette - items which were not present before.

---

Quotes

William Potts: It's the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me Goebbels.

---

Connections

Featured in Forever Ealing (2002)

User Reviews

A reference to "Casablanca"

Bernie-81's review mentioned a possible 'nod' from the producers of this film to the Warner Brothers' "Casablanca" which was also released in 1942. I think it's more likely that the use of a twin-finned mock-up aircraft in "Goose's opening aerodrome scene bearing the markings "G-AFGN" was an ironic reference to the use of a real, aircraft bearing that registration by the British prime-minister to visit Germany in 1938 for negotiations with Hitler. Some in the audience would have recognised the significance of "G-AFGN" even if it wasn't relevant to the Hay picture. The prop Lockheed airliner seen in "The Goose..." may have been used in other pictures but not by the Warner studio out in California.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1942 (UK)

Also Known As:

Dumme som gæs

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1