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On the Double is a comedy film published in 1961, and its director, Melville Shavelson, also co-wrote the script with Jack Rose. The film stars Danny Kaye, who, as in most of his films, plays two roles; this time a soldier and a general.
During the year 1944, an attempt on the life of British high commander General Sir Lawrence MacKenzie-Smith by German intelligence, a chief strategist for the planned invasion of mainland Europe, incites a hunt for a preserved clone of him. The scheme selects an American Private by the name of Ernie Williams, a look-alike, skilled impersonator of MacKenzie-Smith. When Ernie is brought to MacKenzie-Smith, the General has some doubts, but after some time agrees with the plan. Nevertheless, the most important piece of information that is concealed from him is that Ernie will have to act as a bait for German intelligence.
The puzzle pieces come together once Lady Margaret, wife to MacKenzie-Smith, comes back early from a war bond event in Canada, wishing to divorce him, due to his neglect and infidelity. She is but under no illusion as she returns to find Ernie posing as her husband. She comes to realize that she must endure the consequences of man’s actions. Out of pity, Margaret indulges him with information related to Ernie’s identity and in the process, both of them begin to develop feelings simultaneously.
This however, does not come without its challenges as German intelligence proceeds to attempt liquidations with pure sabotage. Despite Ernie trying to abandon the mission, him and Margaret soon learn about a plane that MacKenzie-Smith was traveling on which got shot down, causing all on board to perish. This unfortunately, becomes the reason Ernie has to maintain his deception. After one particularly rambunctious party from the regiment, Ernie, a decoy, gets captured by one of MacKenzie bis mistress, who is infact a double crossing officer working for the Nazi, and is smuggled off to Berlin. While being interrogated on Allied plans of the French invasion, he attempts to claim he isn’t the real MacKenzie, which unfortunately for him, just makes him appear weaker. At first, he attempts to con the captors into believing he has no link to the intelligence of the dying Britain. But Emmie soon discovers how naive the Germans are and instead gives them plans of non-existing plots, convincing them he is ready to join their ranks. During his time in captivity, he manages to take down a list of all German Intelligence agents residing in Britain and aids his escape from the German HQ gyda. In the end, the Germans took his willingness for anything British as sincerity and truth.
During a comedic series of blunders at a Berlin cabaret, Ernie changes into the uniform of a Luftwaffe pilot and gets on a bomber plane heading to England, where he’s able to bail out with a parachute. He ends up being captured and taken to General Wiffingham, who is an associate of MacKenzie – Smith. But, while being interrogated, Ernie is shocked to learn Wiffingham is the top British secret service infiltrator from the Nazis. Ultimately, Wiffingham’s plans to execute Ernie with a firing squad for spying before Ernie escapes are foiled. The process of invasion goes uneventfully. Finally, in London, Margaret and Ernie share their feelings for each other.
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