One, Two, Three

File:One Two Three trailer (1961).webm == One, Two, Three ==

One, Two, Three is a 1961 American comedy film directed by Billy Wilder. The film is based on the 1929 Hungarian one-act play Egy, kettő, három by Ferenc Molnár. The screenplay was written by Billy Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond. The film stars James Cagney, Horst Buchholz, Pamela Tiffin, Arlene Francis, and Liselotte Pulver.

Plot[edit | edit source]

The story is set in West Berlin during the Cold War. James Cagney plays C.R. MacNamara, a high-ranking executive in the Coca-Cola Company. MacNamara is tasked with looking after his boss's daughter, Scarlett Hazeltine, played by Pamela Tiffin, who is visiting Berlin. Scarlett falls in love with a young East German communist named Otto Piffl, played by Horst Buchholz. The film follows MacNamara's frantic efforts to prevent his boss from discovering Scarlett's relationship with Otto and to transform Otto into a suitable son-in-law.

Cast[edit | edit source]

James Cagney as C.R. MacNamara
Horst Buchholz as Otto Piffl
Pamela Tiffin as Scarlett Hazeltine
Arlene Francis as Phyllis MacNamara
Liselotte Pulver as Ingeborg
Howard St. John as Wendell P. Hazeltine

Production[edit | edit source]

One, Two, Three was filmed in West Berlin and Munich. The production faced several challenges, including the construction of the Berlin Wall during filming, which complicated the logistics of shooting in the divided city. Despite these difficulties, the film was completed on schedule.

Reception[edit | edit source]

Upon its release, One, Two, Three received mixed reviews from critics but has since been re-evaluated and is now considered one of Billy Wilder's classic comedies. James Cagney's performance, in particular, has been widely praised for its energy and comedic timing.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The film is notable for its fast-paced dialogue and satirical take on the political tensions of the Cold War. It remains a significant work in the filmographies of both Billy Wilder and James Cagney.