Starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, and Anthony Quinn
Directed by Victor Schertzinger
Music by Johnny Burke, Victor Schertzinger, and James V. Monaco
We hit the road the week before my vacation with three comedies on travel featuring two of the most popular comedy teams at Paramount in the 40's and 50's. Road to Singapore was never meant to kick off a series, or even to feature Bing and Bob. It originally started out as a non-musical comedy for Jack Oakie and Fred MacMurray, then George Burns and Gracie Allen. Hope and Crosby were already friends who appeared together frequently on radio and had just done a duo act at Crosby's Del Mar Racetrack. Paramount added music and Dorothy Lamour, who was best-known at that point for starring in movies set in the South Seas, and came up with this goofy comedy about two playboys who head to a tropical island and end up involved with natives and a local dancer? Let's begin with those two as they claim they'll never get involved with women again and find out...
The Story: Josh Mallon (Crosby) would rather be fishing with his buddy Ace Lannigan (Hope) than be stuck behind a desk at his father Josh Mallon the IV's (Charles Coburn) shipping business. His fiancee Gloria (Judith Barrett) wants him to marry her, too, but he's not interested in settling down. After he and Ace are late for his engagement party and Gloria's brother (Gaylord Pendleton) starts a brawl, the duo end up fleeing for the more hospitable port of Singapore.
They get as far as the fictional island of Kaigoon before they finally run out of money. That's where they meet Mima (Lamour), a local woman whom they rescue from her abusive dance partner Caesar (Quinn). Mima proceeds to move into their home and run their lives. She even encourages them to find a job, though their attempt to sell spot remover doesn't go as planned. They've gotten together with natives when Josh's father, Gloria, and a private detective (Jerry Colonna) finally locate them. Mima thinks he doesn't love her and chooses to be with Ace, but Ace knows that's far from the truth. When Caesar gets them arrested for being on the island illegally, they flee and go in search of Josh.
The Song and Dance: The Road movies start off well right out of the gate. Some of the series' many running gags originate here, including Bing and Bob's "Patty cake" routine before knocking out bad guys, the cracks about Bing's weight, and them being more-or-less hucksters. Quinn makes such a hunky dancer, I wish he did musicals more often. Coburn also comes off well as Josh's cantankerous father, who just wants his son to continue the family line.
Favorite Number: "Captain Custard" begins the tradition of Bing and Bob's goofy "buddy" duets that usually kick off the movies. "The Moon and the Willow Tree" is Lamour's big solo, a languid ballad she performs while keeping house for Ace and Josh. "Sweet Potato Piper" is one of three numbers in the series they perform as a trio when they try selling that spot remover. Jerry Colonna plays and (attempts) to sing "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny." Josh and Mima duet on how they feel "Too Romantic," which wound up being the film's big hit. The natives sing about their beloved "Kaigoon."
What I Don't Like: In other ways, this feels like the first installment it is. Bing and Bob made far better musicians and con men in later installments than the playboys and layabouts they are here. The story is a bit dull for this series. And for all the comedy and Bing and Bob's ad-libs, it's not quite as zany as later efforts. The duo also end up in dark makeup briefly while trying to fit in with the stereotypical natives, which may mildly offend some people.
The Big Finale: Not my favorite Road movie, and not the best movie to start off with for newcomers. If you're already a fan of the series or want to know how it all started, jump on this boat to Singapore and enjoy the ride.
Home Media: Easily found in all major formats, on its own and in collections.
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