What’s Up, Tiger Lily?

Arguably Woody Allen’s funniest movie (as well as his first), though he acts as if he’d prefer to forget it today, this redubbing of a Japanese James Bond spin-off bristles with loony invention and energy. The MacGuffin in this international intrigue, as rewritten by Allen (who appears as commentator in linking sections with China Lee), is an egg salad recipe; the characters include Phil Moskowitz and Terri Yaki; the music is by the Lovin’ Spoonful (who also appear in linking episodes). A riotous object lesson in how much dialogue can transform visuals, and Allen works wonders with it (1966). The title, incidentally, plays off What’s New, Pussycat?, written by and costarring Allen and released the previous year. 80 min. (JR)

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