Excellent, a Must See

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Producer: Sam Goldwyn. Copyright 1 November 1944 by Sam Goldwyn's Regent Pictures, Inc. Released through RKO-Radio Pictures, Inc. U.S. release: 7 November 1944. New York opening at the Astor: 9 February 1945. U.K. release: 13 August 1945. Australian release: 19 April 1945. 8,662 feet. 95 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Pirates raid a packet ship. Among their prisoners are a fleeing princess and an inept quick-change artist. NOTES: Nominated for prestigious Hollywood awards for Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (won by Max Steiner for Since You Went Away) and Best Art Direction in Color (won by Wiard Ihnen and Thomas Little for Wilson). With a rentals gross close to $4 million, number 7 at domestic ticket windows for 1944 (number 6 if the New York gross is included). Oddly, the movie failed to duplicate this success in the U.K., but in Australia it was a tremendous hit in 1945. Only one film, Going My Way, sold more tickets.COMMENT: Although promisingly sandwiched between the princess (Virginia Mayo) and the pirate (Victor McLaglen - pronounced "Mack-Lock-Len" but you have to say it real fast), this outing is not one of Hope's funniest comedies, although it certainly rates as one of his most colorful. The screenwriters seem unable to make up their collective minds whether to go all out for a spoof, or just content themselves with slapstick, or even to throw a bit of genuine excitement into the pot. In any event, despite his barrage of non-stop verbal and visual gags, Hope often seems overwhelmed by the film's lush two-million-dollar production values. Miss Mayo, on the other hand, suitably equipped with Louanne Hogan's singing voice, wafts through this Technicolor confection as to the manner born. Villains Walter Brennan, Victor McLaglen and Walter Slezak also have themselves a grand time as the heavies, while Hugo Haas takes full advantage of his laugh-making opportunities as the proprietor of the "Bucket of Blood". In fact Haas (as straight man) and Hope (as comic) make a great team, easily outshining the climactic teaming of Hope with Walter Slezak which I found a bit disappointing (particularly in view of Slezak's later full-bodied performance in Sindbad the Sailor).

The movie The Princess and The Pirate is a movie geared towards baby boomers but is also for all those people who love to watch a humorous fun which can be enjoyed by the entire family. Bob Hope is always enjoyable to watch, and all his movies that I can think of will put a smile on your face and a light heart in your step. The movie is littered with stars like Walter Brennan, Virginia Mayo, Walter Slezak, and even a cameo performance of Bing Crosby. The movie is good for anytime, including prime time viewing. It is a good movie to introduce old movies to children 7 and older so that they can see the value in older movies and develop a love of old movies. The movie moves at a quick pace and should hold your attention. The musical score within the movie is quite whimsical at times. Bring your popcorn along and enjoy the movie.)

Fun comedy that showcases the talents of legend Bob Hope, filmed in gorgeous Technicolour. He's the cowardly tenth-rate travelling player who finds himself in a crazy situation he never would have dreamed of, involving pirates and pretty girls. The main girl in question is the ravishing-in-colour Virginia Mayo, who plays the Princess of the title. It's a credit to her that she displays plenty of spunk in personality as well as spunky legs. Sometimes this film, and Hope, takes a few missteps, thinking it's more witty and clever than it actually is, and some gags run too long, but it's still good entertainment. I like Bob Hope's style, I need to check out some of those "Road" movies he did. Supporting cast includes Walter Brennan, Victor McLaglen and Walter Slezak (displaying more skin than is desired...unlike Miss Mayo!). The moral of the story? Watch out for bit players from Paramount!

Bob Hope was an outstanding comic. I met an old radio man who knew Bob Hope briefly, and this man said Hope was not an impromptu type. He couldn't come up with these one liners off the top of his head, but he did the delivery of written work perfectly. To look at him work in movies like this, that is almost impossible to believe, and it makes me even more in awe of what he accomplished. In this movie he plays a coward (imagine that!) who is coupled with a beautiful princess in escaping pirates who loot the ship he's on. He's befriended by one pirate, Featherhead (Walter Brennan), who shows some great versatility in his comic role. The same man who convincingly played a vicious killer in "My Darling Clementine" and "The Westerner", does a magnificent job of outwitting Bob Hope in this movie over and over, and Featherhead's only half of a halfwit! The antics never stop, and the physical comedy is perfect. A lot of big name actors helped to make this a great movie. More than a laugh a second. Just hilarious. And after Hope saves the princess from a pirate and a tyrant, do you think he gets the girl in the end? Or does some other rascal.