THE GOOSE STEPS OUT (1942)

The Goose Steps Out is a British comedy film released in 1942. This film starred, and was co-directed by, the British comedian Will Hay. He shared directorial credit with Basil Dearden. It was Dearden’s first film as a director. The film was a big box office hit in Britain, but not in the U.S., where audiences failed to respond to the humour of Hay’s pathetic, bumbling persona. The Goose Steps Out is also noted as the film debut of a young Peter Ustinov. The film’s title refers to the Nazis’ vigorous ceremonial marching, called “goose-stepping”. It was the last appearance for Charles Hawtrey in a Will Hay film as Hay dropped him for wanting a bigger role. It was also Hay’s last film on the subject of the Second World War.