What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

Gen. Sherman said that war is hell, but if he had seen "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?", he would have eaten his words. The movie focuses on an American platoon that captures an Italian village in WWII. The Italians are willing to surrender as long as they can have their festival. This creates a problem for the Americans, who have to look like they're fighting. Meanwhile, one of the commanding officers gets lost in the catacombs and goes crazy.

Dick Shawn displays the same type of wacky humor that he employed in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", and we even get to see Carroll O'Connor, pre-"All in the Family". Perfect.

If you've never seen "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?", you owe it to yourself to pick it up (or at least ask Netflix to stock it!). Great, wacky fun, memorable characters/situations, heavy drinking, babes, and catacombs!! What's not to love???

Stars some of the greats: James Coburn (Magnificent Seven, Our Man Flint, etc.), Harry Morgan (who kept up the military theme as Colonel Potter on M*A*S*H), and Carroll O'Connor (whom you might better recognize as Archie Bunker). It's got all the energy and cleverness of "Animal House" without the "Porky's"-style humor - this is a movie you can watch with your kids!

I've been looking for it for years. Rent it. You'll be glad you did.

"What did you do in the war daddy?" is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. It rates up there with "It's a Mad Mad Mad World", and "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming", etc. Definitely a laugh out loud movie. I saw it first in Seattle in the 60's with a friend, and it was playing with "..The Russians are coming." Both movies were so hilarious that we stayed and watched them both twice. I was shocked here to read the negative reviews. Perhaps what caused their dislike is why the movie was not as popular as it should have been. I do remember when the Germans arrived, the whole tone of the movie changed. It was a gay hilarious party, and suddenly the war returns. You don't want the fun to end, so you're kind of angry that the writers did this to you. But, if you can tell yourself this IS a 'comedy about war' and accept the change, you will see that the hilarity continues. You will enjoy the end just as much as the beginning. I bought the VHS version years ago when it came out and have to agree to the timelessness of it, it was still hilarious. It needs to come out on DVD!!!

I like this movie for several reasons. One, is that it was made the year I was born-1966. Most movies from that year are very odd or strange- that was the height of the mod generation. One other good movie from 1966 is Fahrenheit 451. Anyway, My great Uncle is also in the movie. He plays the mayor of the town-Mayor Romano. It is ironic because although his stage name was Jay Novello, in real life his name was Michael Romano! Also Dick Shawn is hilarious and James Coburn is great as well-This was the same time period that he made his James bond spoof movies-in like Flint etc.... Definitely worth seeing again. Not quite on par with Kelly's Hero's-the best war comedy ever, but still close to that.

What Did You Do in the War,Daddy? is a great movie that has been neglected for too long. It belongs on DVD for a new generation to enjoy. The story is just as entertaining now as when it first was theatrically released. The characters are timeless. The setting picturesque. The plot and pacing superb. It remains one of the best comedic World War II movies made. Truly a funny movie. It has intelligent humor that does not require gross out jokes to make it funny. It was made back when writing was still an art form and there were still original ideas in Hollywood. It is a must own for all WWII buffs. It is a constant disappointment to see that it is not on DVD, nor that it is "not in the works." Something must be done about it. "To arms!"