What's Up, Tiger Lily?

"What's Up, Tiger Lily?" is a 1966 comedy film directed by Woody Allen. This unique and unconventional film is often considered one of the earliest examples of a "dubbed" or "re-purposed" movie. The movie takes an existing Japanese spy film titled "International Secret Police: Key of Keys" (also known as "Kagi no Kagi") and re-edits it with new, comedic English-language dialogue, completely changing the original plot.

The story of "What's Up, Tiger Lily?" revolves around a search for a stolen egg salad recipe that could have dire consequences if it falls into the wrong hands. Woody Allen provides the voice for the main character, Phil Moskowitz, who is tasked with finding this coveted recipe.

The film is known for its surreal and absurd humor.

Complete Cast:

• Tatsuya Mihashi as Phil Moscowitz
• Akiko Wakabayashi as Suki Yaki
• Mie Hama as Teri Yaki
• John Sebastian as himself (voice)
• Woody Allen as himself (voice) / Narrator

Director: Woody Allen, Senkichi Taniguchi (original director of the Japanese film)

Producer: Woody Allen, Charles H. Joffe

Writers: Woody Allen, Julie Bennett, Frank Buxton, Louise Lasser, Len Maxwell, Mickey Rose, Bryna Wilson (additional English dialogue)

Music by: The Lovin' Spoonful (original songs)

Cinematographer: Kazuo Yamada (original cinematographer of the Japanese film)

Production Cost: Not publicly disclosed.

Box Office: Not publicly disclosed.

Awards: It did not receive any notable awards.

Critics' Reception: "What's Up, Tiger Lily?" is a unique cinematic experiment where Woody Allen dubbed a Japanese spy film with comedic dialogue to turn it into a parody. The film received mixed reviews, with some appreciating the humor and originality of the concept, while others found it a less successful stylistic exercise. 

My opinion. It is supposed to be a funny parody of James Bond movies, but it is just a parody and not funny. All the Asian actors do really bad work, and it is not clear what Woody Allen was thinking to dust off this bad movie. It must have cost him money and time. Frankly among Allen's worst when he was at the beginning of his career and trying to do something new. Advice : don't waste your time rewatching it.