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For anyone not familiar with the famous comedian, Bob Hope, this collection of films provides the perfect introduction to his golden period on film. Hope established a character who was part braggart, part coward but very human and likeable. The films fall into 3 categories: the rare "Thanks for the Memory", 3 forgotten classics with the vivacious Paulette Goddard and the familiar classics, "The Road to Morocco" and "The Paleface".
The earliest film in the set is the rare "Thanks for the Memory" released in 1938. It teams Hope with charming Shirley Ross, using as its inspiration the song of the same name which was such a smash for the pair earlier in the year in "The Big Broadcast of 1938". Hope plays a straight romantic lead as a newlywed writer trying to establish his career while adjusting to his marital status and his wife's role as the major breadwinner. While the film has a fine supporting cast including the famous gossip columnist Hedda Hopper who is very good, the stage bound roots of the verbose script betray the stars and the film is dull entertainment. The highlights are the 2 songs, the superb "Two Sleepy People", another huge hit, and a touching reprise of the title song at the climax of the film.
Two of the films with Paulette Goddard, "Cat and the Canary" and "Ghost Breakers", are spooky thrillers of the "old dark house" genre. Both have outstanding supporting casts, beautiful art direction and are very entertaining. These were the films which solidified Hope's film stardom. "Nothing but the Truth" is a more conventional but hilarious comedy about a man who agrees not to tell a lie for a day on a bet. In this role, Hope plays a "Cary Grant type" of leading man. These films were impeccably produced by Arthur Hornblow with top class sets, directions and costumes. Goddard looks gorgeous too.
Of the familiar classics, "The Road to Morocco" is the 3rd of the famous Road pictures when Hope teamed with Bing Crosby on a zany adventure to an exotic location, usually sending up a familiar film genre along the way and vying for the glamorous heroine, the deadpan and droll Dorothy Lamour. This one sends up desert epics and is full of topical gags and one liners as usual. The major delight of the Road pictures is the smooth rapport with Crosby who is galvanized out of his normal inertia. They are a justly celebrated team.
The final film is "The Paleface". Hope plays a dentist out west and this famous comedy co-stars the deadpan Jane Russell in the film which secured her stardom. It is an hilarious farce.
Most of the films are presented in excellent prints, "The Paleface" in glorious technicolour. Only "Ghost Breakers" shows evidence of dirt and popping and obviously has not been restored. There is an unusually generous set of extras, something not common to similar star sets from the Paramount vault. All theatrical trailers are included and there are some on-set and marketing stills for some of the films. "Morocco" contains a neat documentary on the evolution of the Road pictures. The rest of the extras focus on Hope's efforts with war time entertainment of the troops. "Paleface" and "Ghost" contain excerpts of Hope from filmed episodes of "Command Performance", a wartime weekly radio show performed by stars in Hollywood specifically for the troops. "Ghost" also contains a short documentary on Hope's involvement with the USO and a wartime short film promoting Hollywood's Victory Caravan, a large scale war bond drive. The short contains 3 musical numbers from Betty Hutton (OK), pianist Carmen Cavallaro(excellent) and Bing Crosby (dreadful).
Hope was also a competent singer and associated with a few very famous songs such as "Buttons and Bows" from "The Paleface". The DVDs contain sing-a-longs for these songs and they add to the amusing genial nature of the set which is good value.
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