What’s Up, Tiger Lily? Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Woody Allen ruins a perfectly good Japanese spy movie by redubbing it into a nonsensical quest for the world’s best egg salad recipe.

🍿 What’s Up, Tiger Lily?: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction by Woody Allen

The film begins with Woody Allen explaining his audacious project: taking a low-budget Japanese spy film and completely re-dubbing it with new, comedic dialogue. He details how he replaced the original soundtrack with his own script, transforming a serious spy caper into a farcical comedy.

The Quest for the Egg Salad Recipe

The ‘new’ plot revolves around international spy Phil Moscowitz, who is tasked with retrieving the world’s greatest egg salad recipe. This recipe has been stolen from the Grand Exalted High Majah of Raspur by the villainous Shepherd Wong. The success of this mission determines if Raspur will become a real country.

Alliances and Complications

Phil Moscowitz is aided by the Yaki sisters, Teri and Suki. Their mission is complicated by rival criminal Wing Fat, who also seeks to steal the recipe and sell it back to Shepherd Wong. The film features absurd action sequences, filled with slapstick and one-liners, all completely unrelated to the visuals on screen.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Woody Allen (Woody Allen): The writer/director who re-dubs a Japanese spy film into a comedic quest for the world’s best egg salad recipe.
• Phil Moscowitz (Tatsuya Mihashi): An international spy and self-professed lovable rogue tasked with retrieving the stolen egg salad recipe.
• Teri Yaki (Mie Hama): One of the Majah’s agents, assisting Phil in the mission to retrieve the egg salad recipe.
• Suki Yaki (Akiko Wakabayashi): Teri’s sister and fellow agent, assisting Phil in the mission after escaping from prison.
• Shepherd Wong (Tadao Nakamaru): A criminal and egg salad junkie who stole the recipe and will do anything to keep it.
• Wing Fat (Susumu Kurobe): Another criminal competing to steal the egg salad recipe and sell it back to Shepherd Wong.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Teri Yaki: “I’d call him a sadistic, hippophilic necrophile, but that would be beating a dead horse.” – Teri Yaki describes Shepherd Wong with a string of outrageous adjectives.
• Phil Moscowitz: “Saracen pigs! Saxon dogs! Roman cow!” – Phil shouts ridiculous insults while performing karate moves.
• Woody Allen: “The characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental. And if you have been reading this instead of looking at the girl, then see your psychiatrist, or go to a good eye doctor.” – Part of the tongue-in-cheek disclaimer during the end credits striptease.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $400,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 What’s Up, Tiger Lily? Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘What’s Up, Tiger Lily?’ is WEIRD. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it’s basically a Japanese spy movie with Woody Allen’s crazy dubbing over it. The egg salad recipe thing is so random, but it’s also hilarious. I loved the scenes where they’re karate chopping and yelling nonsense, and the Lovin’ Spoonful bits are kinda groovy. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something totally out there, give it a shot. You might just find yourself cracking up, I know I did!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Woody Allen’s early work”
  • “Viewers who enjoy absurdist humor and parodies”
  • “Those interested in experimental filmmaking”
  • “Fans of MST3K style movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive humor”
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Outdated cultural representations”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A bizarre experiment that yields sporadic laughs, but mostly feels like a one-joke premise stretched too thin. Allen’s attempt to graft his humor onto existing footage is admirable but ultimately uneven. The Lovin’ Spoonful interludes feel particularly out of place.
• The New York Times: “An audacious and often amusing film but far from Woody Allen’s best. It’s more of a curiosity than a comedic masterpiece, showing the early stirrings of his unique style. Not for the faint of heart or those unfamiliar with Allen’s brand of humor.

Audience Reactions

The nonsensical dialogue and ridiculous plot twists are pure comedic gold.: Most viewers appreciate the film’s originality and its unique brand of humor, finding it a refreshing departure from typical comedies.

The ‘egg salad recipe’ plot line is the stuff of legend.: Many loved the absurdity of the plot surrounding the egg salad recipe and found it hilarious how seriously the characters took it.

Overall Consensus: A cult classic that’s definitely not for everyone. Some find it brilliant, others find it bizarre, but it’s undeniably unique and worth a watch for those seeking something completely different.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Woody Allen threatened to sue the studio over the addition of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s scenes, but recanted when the film became a hit.”
• “The original Japanese film, ‘Kokusai himitsu keisatsu: Kagi no kagi’, was purchased by American International Pictures for $66,000.”
• “Woody Allen later expressed embarrassment about the film, feeling it was taken out of his hands during post-production.”

🖥️ How to Watch What’s Up, Tiger Lily??

Currently, “What’s Up, Tiger Lily?” is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check these services for availability in your region and for potential streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed What’s Up, Tiger Lily?, you might like these similar films:

• Kentucky Fried Movie (1977): Anthology of sketch comedy parodies, similar in style and tone to the absurdist humor of ‘What’s Up, Tiger Lily?’
• Airplane! (1980): Relies on non-stop gags, absurd situations, and deadpan delivery of ridiculous dialogue like ‘What’s Up, Tiger Lily?’
• Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996): Features comedic commentary and riffing over an existing bad movie, echoing the core concept of ‘What’s Up, Tiger Lily?’
• Kung Pow! Enter the Fist (2002): Uses similar dubbing over an old martial arts film, but features more modern sensibilities.

🛒 What’s Up, Tiger Lily? Related Products

• Woody Allen: A Documentary (DVD): Explore the life and career of Woody Allen through this comprehensive documentary, featuring interviews, film clips, and behind-the-scenes footage. Understand the creative genius behind films like What’s Up, Tiger Lily?
• Vintage Japanese Spy Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of an original Japanese spy movie poster from the 1960s. Perfect for fans of classic spy films and Japanese cinema, adding a touch of retro cool to any space.
• Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1 by Julia Child: This cookbook is not just a collection of recipes but a guide to understanding French cuisine and mastering essential techniques. It’s about bringing joy and confidence to the kitchen.
• Get Smart: The Complete Series (DVD): Relive the classic spy spoof with Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 in ‘Get Smart’. This complete series DVD set is filled with hilarious moments and gadgets that fans of ‘What’s Up, Tiger Lily?’ will love.

🎧 Soundtrack

What’s Up, Tiger Lily? features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Pow! Pow!” – performed by The Lovin’ Spoonful
• “Gray Is Not Blue” – performed by The Lovin’ Spoonful
• “Fishin'” – performed by The Lovin’ Spoonful

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Lovin’ Spoonful-POW

This song is unbelievably catchy! You HAVE to hear The Lovin’ Spoonful’s theme from the movie – it’s the perfect groovy vibe to get you in the mood.

WHAT’S UP TIGER LILY – EGG SALAD

Remember the “egg salad” bit? It’s such a bizarre yet hilarious moment! Check out this super short clip for a quick dose of that classic Tiger Lily weirdness.

WLS Channel 7 – Late Night Movie/3:30 Movie – “What’s Up, Tiger Lily?” (Opening, 1980)

Ever wonder how they used to show movies on TV back in the day? This is a crazy, slightly messed-up, vintage opening from a 1980s TV broadcast of ‘What’s Up, Tiger Lily’ – it’s pure retro gold!

✨ Rate