Synopsis:
Six days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a Japanese submarine is spotted off the coast of Los Angeles, setting in motion a host of responses from various military and civilian stakeholders.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Christopher Lee Films
• Comedy
• Dan Aykroyd Films
• Elisha Cook Jr. Films
• Historical Drama
• John Belushi Films
• Nancy Allen Films
• Ned Beatty Films
• Robert Stack Films
• Steven Spielberg Films
• Treat Williams Films
• Warren Oates Films
• World War II

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary argues that while this “pointless mayhem” — about “a lot of panicky and crazy soldiers and civilians rac[ing] around LA in 1941 thinking that the Japanese are launching a full-scale invasion” — “was directed by Steven Spielberg,” it’s “the type of comedy (i.e., Casino Royale) that looks like it was directed by anyone who came along.” He points out that while “at the outset the film has some period flavor” and “introduces some interesting characters”:

… “it becomes increasingly stupid.” Indeed, it’s “alternately smutty, racist, cruel (unless you think watching someone’s house slide off a cliff is funny)” and “it is always wasteful of its large budget.” He notes that given that “screaming, explosions, fights, car and plane crashes, and destruction in general seem to be the order of the day:”

… “one can understand why in the best scene officer Robert Stack would stay away from the chaos in the streets and tearfully watch Dumbo.” (This character and his actions were based on real life.)

The rest of Peary’s short review of this critical failure — though it did fine at the box office — lists the truly astonishing number of big-name actors either co-starring or making a cameo appearance — including John Belushi (as Captain Wild Bill Kelso):

… Treat Williams (playing an effectively cartoonish baddie):

… Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, and Ned Beatty:

… Toshiro Mifune (as Commander Akiro Mitamura):

… Christopher Lee (as Captain Wolfgang von Kleinschmidt):

… Sam Fuller:

… Warren Oates (as Colonel ‘Madman’ Maddox):

… and many, many others. Blink and you’ll miss Patti LuPone (seen here — blinking):

… and, naturally, Dick Miller makes an appearance as well.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• The incredibly filmed dance sequence
  
• Fine production design
  
• Impressive pre-CGI special effects
  
• William Fraker’s cinematography
  

Must See?
No, though of course it’s worth a one-time look for its infamy.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• TCM Article
• DVD Savant Review