Customer Reviews

The Paleface

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Bob Hope's 1948 film "The Paleface," was the highest-grossing movie America's most-beloved comedian of the era ever made. Pairing Hope with Jane Russell in a run-of-the-mill Paramount comedy was box office magic that still works today. Here Bob Hope's timing is perfect, and he's totally mastered the character we associate with him, that cowardly braggart, who thinks of himself as a real Casanova. The film still holds up well, and I've found myself laughing out loud at many of the scenes. The DVD has an unbelievably good transfer that gives you a picture that's so crisp, it feels like you have a camera in your hands. Special features are nice, including the original theatrical trailer. There's also a clip of an Armed Forces Command Performance, and some footage of Bob Hope performing for the troops. With DVD-ROM, you can also compare the script to the scene as it plays out. In all, an enjoyable way to spend an evening with one of the great comedians of the mid-20th century.

My favorite Bob Hope moment of all time comes from this film. Not his amazing facility with a gag or a prop but when he sings "Buttons and Bows" in an attempt to seduce Jane Russell. It's a great song and wonderfully done. Hope never got to work with the great directors for some reason so his work is often overlooked today, but shouldn't be. Otherwise he'd be recognized as the most influential American comic actor of the sound era.

In an era where there is little entertainment left for the whole family, The Paleface provides laughs for all ages. No embarrassing moments with the grandparents or inappropriate questions from the kids!

This is one of the best Bob Hope movies, and his comedy timing here is excellent. He plays Painless Potter, a cowardly dentist, and the problems he encounters provides Hope ample opportunity to improvise sight gags and many other memorable jokes. Pay close attention when Bob attempts to extract a tooth... it's a classic scene! Hope is curiously underrated as a comic, but he was an absolute master at this genre, playing to perfection a sort of bumbling wannabe womanizing coward. Pay particular attention to his timing, which was absolutely unmatched in Hollywood.

The only drawback is Jane Russell, who was only in movies due to her cleavage. Her acting talent is minimal, but the brilliant Hope more than makes up for it. You will find yourself laughing out loud continuously throughout this movie. The color tones are bright, crisp and make it seem like you're sitting in the movie theatre in 1948. A classic comedy film.

The wild west has never been wilder or funnier , than in this classic six-shoting farce which introduced the Academy award winning song "Buttons and Bows" . Bob Hope (1903-2003) in one of his most populare roles , hi plays "Painless" Peter Potter , a timmid corrspondence school dentist earning a shaky living in the lawless West . When "Painless" seduced into agreeing t a quickie marriege by the voluptous Jane Russell (1921- ) , hi thinks his luck changed . Little does hi suspect that Russell is actually sharpshooter Calamity Jane (1848-1903) , hot on trail of dangerous renegade gang and that she simply using "Painless" as her cover and unwitting dupe . This old west burlesque , brightened by Tehnicolor and Uproarious slapstick went to become one of Bob Hopes best loved . Vehicles and his biggest box office hit .Saddle up for athe wild comic ride . Marvelous movie with many laughts . Super transfer in High Quality pictures . Recommended .

First shown in the late '40s, this film continues to be amusing, with catchy tunes. It seems somewhat different from Bob Hope's other films and well worth seeing again.

I can't say this is the funniest movie I've ever seen, but Bob Hope is great, and I certainly enjoyed this western farce enough to recommend it.

This was always one of my mother's favorite movies and I know why. Classic, fun comedy with no purpose but to entertain. How refreshing.

One of Bob Hope's best comedies of his illustrious career! I'm tempted to call this an essential movie, it's just that good. Funny doesn't quite describe what goes on here. Jane Russell is his co-star; many have said that she wasn't a good actress but it doesn't matter, after all, it's Hope's film, not hers.

Painless Peter Potter (Bob Hope) decides to go west to seek his fortune. But if you think it's because Horace Greely said, "Go West, young man," you'll be wrong. Potter as a dentist isn't painless, he's about as inept as one can be. Calamity Jane (Jane Russell), an outlaw in this case, is convinced by the government to go undercover. She's promised a pardon if she'll help capture a gunrunner, Terris (Robert Armstrong). It's inevitable that Potter & Calamity cross paths. They get married giving her a better cover & she manages to make Potter look like he's the undercover agent. It's hilarious to see Potter doing all of these incredible shooting feats, he's even more inept with a gun than he is at dentistry, when it's Calamity making the shots from behind the scenes.

Bob Hope's screen personna of the irresistible (so he thinks) ladies man, inept, cowardly & (a lack of) control of his destiny, has never been showcased any better than here. He's got it down to a tee now. We even get the song, "Buttons & Bows", which was an Academy award winner for best song for 1948. Potter's rescue of Calamity is classic comedy, even Potter gets it right one time. One of the funniest scenes in the film involves Potter all dressed in gunfighter garb getting advice from everyone telling how to do the gunfight. It's hilarious to see Potter looking for his adversary, reciting all the advice & getting it more confused with each recital.

The quality of the video is excellent & there are some bonus features, mostly career highlights.

I have loved this movie and the sequel, Son of Paleface, since childhood. Jane Russell is at her best in both films. As a classic film buff I think this movie should be in any collection.