By Vijay Ramanathan
Note: YouTube’s vast repository includes a multitude of wonderful movies in many languages – some hidden gems, and some that are hard to find elsewhere. In this series of articles, I will share some of my favorite classic movies freely available on YouTube, along with a brief analysis. The videos are not posted by me, and I do not benefit from anyone viewing them.
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch from a script by Mechior Lengyel and Edwin Justus Mayer, To Be or Not To Be is a cracking satirical comedy that takes aim at Hitler, the Nazis and their invasion of Poland in World War II. Woven in are elements of a rib-tickling screwball comedy, a tense espionage drama, and a nail-biting escape thriller.
Jack Benny is at his hilarious best as Joseph Tura, a star theater actor in Warsaw. Joseph’s penchant for hamming it up is unstoppable, and Benny essays the role perfectly. Carole Lombard delivers one of her finest performances as Joseph’s wife, Maria, who is an equally big stage star, and thus, an object of Joseph’s envy. Joseph is perpetually insecure – about his stardom, his acting skills, and his relationship with Maria. Maria, for her part, is forever trying not to get overshadowed by her husband. Benny and Lombard’s on-screen chemistry elevates this movie several notches. There are a boat-load of laugh-out-loud scenes but the one where an audience member walks out on Joseph during his Hamlet soliloquy takes the cake. Indeed, actors’ vanity and their insecurities are a constant source of comedy in this movie.
Lubitsch deftly handles the shifts between comedy and drama. Nothing feels jarring. The narrative never stalls. There is hardly a gag that’s forced in just for the sake of it. The dramatic and suspenseful scenes have a light touch. It’s a fine balance that Lubitsch maintains wonderfully throughout the film.
Released just a few months after the US entered World War II, To Be or Not To Be is a brave and brilliant satire. Pitch-perfect performances by Benny and Lombard, and Lubitsch’s skillful direction make this movie a must-watch.
You can watch this classic Hollywood movie for free on YouTube at:
Baradwaj Rangan 
ravenus1
October 9, 2022
@Vijay – I don’t think the movie is “freely available” on Youtube as you suggest. The link you posted does not work anymore, and that’s probably because it has been taken down for copyright reasons. From what I’ve read films made between 1923-78 are copyright-protected for 95 years after release. If that is correct TBONTB will enter the public domain only sometime in 2037.
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brangan
October 9, 2022
Two things I recall about this superb film.
I first saw the Mel Brooks remake, which had more shtick. And when I watched it back in the day, I felt that was better. But it took me a while to “get” Lubitsch and his elegance. He and Preston Sturges are among my favourite Golden Age directors not named Hitchcock.
Second: This was the second Carole Lombard film I saw. The first was rs and Mrs Smith, during a manic Hitchcock phase during my teen years when we had a great video-cassette guy.
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Yajiv
October 9, 2022
@ravenus1: The link still works for me. It might be region-locked.
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Yajiv
October 9, 2022
I have only seen the Mel Brooks version. I enjoyed it although it’s definitely not his best work. Will give this classic a watch. Thanks for the recommedation, Vijay! I’ve been trying to get into Classical Hollywood (for a long time I was so stuck on New Hollywood films) so your articles have been immensely helpful.
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Vijay Ramanathan
October 9, 2022
@ravenus1: Yajiv is right. The link works me as well but it might be region protected. Sorry about the confusion. The movie may be available elsewhere online for rent. I know it is on the Criterion Channel streaming service in the US.
Also, I’m not suggesting that the movies I post about here are in the public domain. They might still be copyright protected. It’s just that they are free for viewing on YouTube – posted by someone and not taken down by a copyright strike.
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Vijay Ramanathan
October 9, 2022
@Yajiv: Thanks for reading the article and for your kind comment. I’m glad you find my articles helpful.
Thank you Baradwaj Rangan for giving us this fantastic forum to share our thoughts about movies and so many other topics!!
Vijay
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Anu Warrier
October 9, 2022
So glad to meet a fellow ‘Classic Hollywood’ lover. Oh, how I loved this film. Like many others, I saw the Mel Brooks films before I watched this. Honestly, I thought this was starker.
Reviewed this on my blog some years ago. BR, with your permission:
https://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/2018/01/to-be-or-not-to-be-1942.html
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