What's Up, Tiger Lily?

What's Up, Tiger Lily? is a 1966 American comedy film directed by Woody Allen in his directorial debut, with elements of comedy and music neatly combined to create a truly unique offering. Although this film was launched at the onset of Allen’s illustrious career, it showcases his signature humor and innovative storytelling technique. Also featured in the film are The Lovin' Spoonful, a popular rock band from the 1960s known for their folk rock music, and Frank Buxton, a versatile actor and writer with a keen sense of humor.

The film is a re-dubbed version of the Japanese spy film "Key of Keys" with new comedic dialogue scripted by Woody Allen and his friends to create a completely different, laugh-out-loud plot. The original visual scenes remain; however, the significant change in dialogue has led to a hilarious, nonsensical plot that is far from the original film’s narrative. Although this innovative concept may seem peculiar, it was actually quite avant-garde for the 1960s and made the movie eccentric and unique, a quality for which Woody Allen’s films have become known.

Woody Allen narrates and explains his concept at the start of the film, then pops up in the plot from time to time. He plays the role of the dastardly villain, while also appearing as the movie's co-writer, co-director, and co-star, a demonstration of Allen’s brilliant multitasking abilities in film production. The Lovin' Spoonful, besides playing characters in the film, contribute with a brilliant background score that includes original folk rock songs, adding to the film's overall charm.

The film features Phil Moscowitz, an amateur secret agent and the protagonist, who is hired to find a secret egg salad recipe stolen from Woody Allen’s character. Moscowitz embarks on a highly entertaining, action-packed quest to regain this recipe, facing numerous challenges, meeting interesting characters, including a beautiful woman spies, and experiencing unexpected twists along the way. Moscowitz's mission culminates in a humorous climax, filled with classic espionage elements, blended with Allen’s distinct comic flavor.

The voiceovers of the characters are intentionally misaligned, quirky, and absurd, resulting in numerous laugh-out-loud moments. Remarkably, despite the exhausting journey of following the nonsensical plot, viewers get engaged due to the movie's hearty humor and hilarity. What’s Up, Tiger Lily? is far from a traditional comedy; it's a grand experiment that combines one film culture with another, and blends genres in a way that hadn't been seen before its release. The movie effectively parodies the spy genre, using witty dialogues and visual humor, making fun of the key features of the spy films while also providing a distinctive viewing experience.

While the narrative of What's Up, Tiger Lily? may be confusing due to the mixed-up plot, the comedy is understandable and the laughs are universal. Allen's quick wit and wry humor pepper the film's dialogues, resulting in a movie that is chaotic, somewhat disorienting, but undeniably entertaining.

What's Up, Tiger Lily? proudly carries Woody Allen's creative fingerprint, stands as a testament to his innovative approach toward film-making, and serves as an early glance into his impressive career. While it may not be considered as one of Allen's ultimate classics, it surely deserves a special place in his oeuvre for its uniqueness and experimentation. It is a must-watch for Woody Allen enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys absurd comedy with an experimental edge. This film, with its bizarre yet entertaining concept, prevails as a memorable entry in the lineage of comic cinema.