- Actors: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Charles Coburn, Judith Barrett
- Directors: Victor Schertzinger
- Writers: Barney Dean, Don Hartman, Frank Butler, Harry Hervey, Ray Golden
- Producers: Harlan Thompson
- Classification: U
- Studio: Universal
- VHS Release Date: 4 Sep 2000
- Run Time: 85 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004WI6P
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 8,834 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Here's the first trip in what would become one of Paramount Pictures' most profitable film series of the '40s. When this comedy was released in 1940, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope had separately achieved stardom, though Crosby was an established power and Hope still a hot comedian new to movies. In fact, Hope is billed third in Road to Singapore, below Der Bingle and Dorothy Lamour. The script establishes what would be a constant in the Road series: a ramshackle plot, a handful of songs, and plenty of irreverent banter between the two boys. Crosby plays Josh Mallon, scion of a wealthy family, who prefers the vagabond life to his stuffy family; his pal Ace Lannigan (Hope) is only too happy to escape. They end up sharing a waterfront shack in Singapore and vying for the affections of a sarong-clad local (Lamour), amidst stabs at conning the natives with a dubious elixir variously known as "Spot-O" (stain remover) and "Scram-O" (cockroach killer). Singapore isn't as loose as some of the wacky subsequent entries in the series, but it already shows Crosby and Hope grooving to each other's perfectly timed burlesque rhythms in scenes that clearly depart from the script. They specialized in muttered asides, show-biz in-jokes, and gratuitous insults--and this one's got a song and dance number with an ocarina. No wonder it became a franchise. --Robert Horton
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The first entry in the Crosby-Hope-Lamour series is also the weakest. Crosby plays a young man who escapes the responsibility of an impending marriage and employment in his father's company by travelling, with buddy Hope, to Singapore. They both fall in love with Lamour and proceed to rescue her from an evil Anthony Quinn. Unfortunately, Crosby and Hope still seem to be ironing out kinks in their banter, and the script doesn't pit them against eachother in the manner of the later films. Still, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, and, although the movie's dated, there are still a great many laughs. The Burke-Van Heusan score includes the beautiful "Too Romantic," and the jaunty "Sweet Potato Piper."
Format:DVD
The Road to Singapore is the first of the "Road To" movies that teamed up Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Interestingly, in this film Lamour gets a higher billing than Hope, but their positions are reversed in subsequent films.
They do a moonlight flit by boat, Crosby to escape responsibilities and marriage, and Hope to escape an irate father. Their money runs out and they end up on a tropical island en-route to Singapore. They team up with Lamour, a poorly treated performer who they save from the clutches of her brutal dancing partner, played by a young Anthony Quinn. Initially she is their unpaid cook/housekeeper but inevitably a romantic triangle develops. Several routines revolve around their unsuccessful attempts as conmen trying to sell remedies and cleaning fluids. They also almost get married off to local girls at a rather un-PC native feast where there is plenty of blacking up and wild dancing. Eventually, responsibilities, in the form of Crosby's father and his fiancée catch up with them and the various relationships are resolved.
In the meantime, there is plenty of fast patter, in-jokes, songs and dance routines. Even the patacake, patacake routine is first seen here. This is not their strongest film but it flowed along at a reasonable pace. There was a chemistry between the three stars and the dialogue and jokes between Crosby and Hope were typically brisk.
They do a moonlight flit by boat, Crosby to escape responsibilities and marriage, and Hope to escape an irate father. Their money runs out and they end up on a tropical island en-route to Singapore. They team up with Lamour, a poorly treated performer who they save from the clutches of her brutal dancing partner, played by a young Anthony Quinn. Initially she is their unpaid cook/housekeeper but inevitably a romantic triangle develops. Several routines revolve around their unsuccessful attempts as conmen trying to sell remedies and cleaning fluids. They also almost get married off to local girls at a rather un-PC native feast where there is plenty of blacking up and wild dancing. Eventually, responsibilities, in the form of Crosby's father and his fiancée catch up with them and the various relationships are resolved.
In the meantime, there is plenty of fast patter, in-jokes, songs and dance routines. Even the patacake, patacake routine is first seen here. This is not their strongest film but it flowed along at a reasonable pace. There was a chemistry between the three stars and the dialogue and jokes between Crosby and Hope were typically brisk.
Format:DVD
Bob Hope & Bing Crosby team up here for what was the start of a musical comedy franchise that would yield seven movies in total. Six of which would also feature Dorothy Lamour. This first outing finds the boys and Dorothy on the island of Kaigoon, where the lads are escaping from scandal and romantic entanglements and she tied to an abusive partner played by Anthony Quinn. With no money and trouble coming thick and fast, the three of them will do well to survive the week together, especially since love is once again in the air!.
It's probably (in a good way) the simplicity of the plotting's that made it such a popular franchise. For the "Road" movies are in truth simple frameworks on which to hang the charming comedy contrasts of Hope & Crosby. Tho Crosby is not the straight man as such, he's the more reserved part of the duo, his mannered delivery of the lines and his casual approach to the scrapes they get in blends delightfully with Hope's more crash bang characterisations. And of course they are aided by Lamour who acts as not just as a catalyst for some play off shenanigans, but also as the rose between two spiky hormonal thorns. Road To Singapore is far from the best of the series and far from being the worst, but it holds up very well and harks back to a time when harmless innuendo, breezy pacing and a willingness to let the actors ad lib situations made for good wholesome comedy. Good songs dot themselves throughout the piece too, with the stand out being "Too Romantic" performed by Crosby & Lamour.
A lovely little piece that serves as a foundation for a much loved series. 6.5/10
It's probably (in a good way) the simplicity of the plotting's that made it such a popular franchise. For the "Road" movies are in truth simple frameworks on which to hang the charming comedy contrasts of Hope & Crosby. Tho Crosby is not the straight man as such, he's the more reserved part of the duo, his mannered delivery of the lines and his casual approach to the scrapes they get in blends delightfully with Hope's more crash bang characterisations. And of course they are aided by Lamour who acts as not just as a catalyst for some play off shenanigans, but also as the rose between two spiky hormonal thorns. Road To Singapore is far from the best of the series and far from being the worst, but it holds up very well and harks back to a time when harmless innuendo, breezy pacing and a willingness to let the actors ad lib situations made for good wholesome comedy. Good songs dot themselves throughout the piece too, with the stand out being "Too Romantic" performed by Crosby & Lamour.
A lovely little piece that serves as a foundation for a much loved series. 6.5/10
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