The first in what became a long running series with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby as two mates who have various adventures usually involving Dorothy Lamour. This one starts with them coming back on a long overseas trip; Bing’s wealthy father (Charles Coburn) wants him to settle down. After a brawl celebrating Bing’s engagement the two of them run off to Singapore where they run into Dorothy Lamour who is dancing with Anthony Quinn. The three of them live in a chaste ménage a trios – there is a bit of schtick (selling stuff at the markets, both dress up in black face, etc), some tunes, a bit of local atmosphere with natives, very little plot.It gets a bit tiring after a while, especially as the duo just really hang out and stuff happens to them. Both men squabble over Lamour, who says she likes Hope but really likes Bing. The playing style of both men hold up very well – Bing’s cool laidback delivery works wonderfully with Hope’s more nervous wisecracking style. Hope isn’t a coward here – he’s always up for a brawl with Crosby and is implied to be a womaniser; they’re more Gable and Tracy in this one.
NB And before anyone remarks on the irony of a film called The Road to Singapore released not long before the fall of Singapore, Hope and Crosby never actually get to the title city, it’s set on a fictitious island.
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