Bob Hope and Bing Crosby + Dorothy Lamour made seven "Road" pictures. The last three are available on Blu-Ray:
1) Road to Singapore - 1940 (Paramount)
2) Road to Zanzibar - 1941 (Paramount)
3) Road to Morocco - 1942 (Paramount)
4) Road to Utopia - 1946 (Paramount)
5)
Road to Rio [Blu-ray
] - 1947
6)
Road to Bali [Blu-ray
] - 1953 (the only one in color)
7)
Road to Hong Kong [Blu-ray
] - 1962 (MGM)
All seven films are excellent, but the first four are funniest, especially "Road to Morocco" and "Road to Utopia".
Unfortunately, these four are the only titles not yet on Blu-Ray, though I am optimistic.
Paramount Studio's film library is now owned by Universal which has an active Blu-Ray reissue program.
TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATION:
While we are waiting for a Blu-Ray release of the first four titles, they are still available in a nice two-DVD set from Universal for only $10 (Photo One).
The Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Road to Comedy Collection
NOT RECOMMENDED:
Avoid the earlier DVD release of this collection (Photo Two).
All four movies are crammed onto a single double-sided DVD, which is asking for trouble:
On the Road With Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Collection (Road to Singapore/Road to Zanzibar/Road to Morocco/Road to Utopia)
BLU-RAY REVIEW:
--- "Road to Rio" (1947) and
--- "Road to Bali" (1953) were produced by Hope and Crosby, and only distributed by Paramount.
Licensed to Kino Lorber for Bu-Ray release.
the "Road to Rio" is given a minimalist release by Kino Lorber with no extras.
My least favorite Road picture.
The writing is not as sharp as the others, plus it is the longest of the seven films (1 hour, 40 minutes), and would have benefited from some tighter editing.
The black and white picture is just OK, despite being preserved by the UCLA Film Archive (apparently the original negative is not pristine).
The "Road to Bali" was a great improvement.
The only Road picture filmed in Technicolor: the blu-ray is spectacular,.
Plus Kino Lorber provides an informative audio commentary.
--- "Road to Hong Kong" (1962) was filmed nine years later.
Hope's only black and white film after 1953.
Bob and Bing are a bit past their prime and poor Dorothy Lamour is reduced to a cameo (the female romantic interest is actually played by Joan Collins).
Still, it's the funniest Bob Hope comedy of the 1960s.
A minimalist production by Olive Films, despite the fact that they are charging nearly $30 for the Blu-Ray (for the same price, you can buy both the "Road to Rio" and "Road to Bali" blu-rays).
Boo.
Olive Films also released it on DVD for $13.
One drawback:
None of the blu-rays have English subtitles (the sound is pretty clear though).
The first four Road films in the two-DVD set from Universal had English SDH subtitles, and I expect the eventual blu-rays will too.
OTHER BOB HOPE FILMS on BLU-RAY:
Kino Lorber has released three other Bob Hope films on Blu-Ray:
--- 1947
My Favorite Brunette [Blu-ray
]
"My Favorite Brunette" re-united Bob Hope with Dorothy Lamour as his leading lady, and even had a cameo appearance by Bing Crosby, so its almost a Road picture.
--- 1951
The Lemon Drop Kid [Blu-ray
]
Slightly sappy film, but it did introduce the great Christmas Song "Silver Bells".
"My Favorite Brunette" and "Lemon Drop Kid" are given minimalist treatment, but at least the price is reasonable.
--- 1952
Son of Paleface [Blu-ray
]
One of Hope's funniest films, co-starring Jane Russell.
It was a sequel to Hope's equally funny 1948 film "Paleface", also starring Jane Russell.
Weird:
In "Paleface" Bob Hope marries Jane Russell.
In "Son of Paleface" Bob Hope, playing the the son of himself and Jane Russell, marries Jane Russell.
I'm surprised the censors didn't notice.
The song "Buttons and Bows" appears in both films - winner of the Oscar for Best Song in 1948 ("East is east and west is west, and the wrong one I have chose.")
"Son of Paleface" is given the deluxe treatment by Kino Lorber with an audio commentary.
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BLU-RAY REVIEW + How to find the best prints of all seven Road pictures
Bob Hope and Bing Crosby + Dorothy Lamour made seven "Road" pictures. The last three are available on Blu-Ray:1) Road to Singapore - 1940 (Paramount)2) Road to Zanzibar - 1941 (Paramount)3) Road to Morocco - 1942 (Paramount)4) Road to Utopia - 1946 (Paramount)5) Road to Rio [Blu-ray] - 19476) Road to Bali [Blu-ray] - 1953 (the only one in color)7) Road to Hong Kong [Blu-ray] - 1962 (MGM)All seven films are excellent, but the first four are funniest, especially "Road to Morocco" and "Road to Utopia".Unfortunately, these four are the only titles not yet on Blu-Ray, though I am optimistic.Paramount Studio's film library is now owned by Universal which has an active Blu-Ray reissue program.TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATION:While we are waiting for a Blu-Ray release of the first four titles, they are still available in a nice two-DVD set from Universal for only $10 (Photo One).The Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Road to Comedy CollectionNOT RECOMMENDED:Avoid the earlier DVD release of this collection (Photo Two).All four movies are crammed onto a single double-sided DVD, which is asking for trouble: On the Road With Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Collection (Road to Singapore/Road to Zanzibar/Road to Morocco/Road to Utopia)BLU-RAY REVIEW:--- "Road to Rio" (1947) and--- "Road to Bali" (1953) were produced by Hope and Crosby, and only distributed by Paramount.Licensed to Kino Lorber for Bu-Ray release.the "Road to Rio" is given a minimalist release by Kino Lorber with no extras.My least favorite Road picture.The writing is not as sharp as the others, plus it is the longest of the seven films (1 hour, 40 minutes), and would have benefited from some tighter editing.The black and white picture is just OK, despite being preserved by the UCLA Film Archive (apparently the original negative is not pristine).The "Road to Bali" was a great improvement.The only Road picture filmed in Technicolor: the blu-ray is spectacular,.Plus Kino Lorber provides an informative audio commentary.--- "Road to Hong Kong" (1962) was filmed nine years later.Hope's only black and white film after 1953.Bob and Bing are a bit past their prime and poor Dorothy Lamour is reduced to a cameo (the female romantic interest is actually played by Joan Collins).Still, it's the funniest Bob Hope comedy of the 1960s.A minimalist production by Olive Films, despite the fact that they are charging nearly $30 for the Blu-Ray (for the same price, you can buy both the "Road to Rio" and "Road to Bali" blu-rays).Boo.Olive Films also released it on DVD for $13.One drawback:None of the blu-rays have English subtitles (the sound is pretty clear though).The first four Road films in the two-DVD set from Universal had English SDH subtitles, and I expect the eventual blu-rays will too.OTHER BOB HOPE FILMS on BLU-RAY:Kino Lorber has released three other Bob Hope films on Blu-Ray:--- 1947 My Favorite Brunette [Blu-ray]"My Favorite Brunette" re-united Bob Hope with Dorothy Lamour as his leading lady, and even had a cameo appearance by Bing Crosby, so its almost a Road picture.--- 1951 The Lemon Drop Kid [Blu-ray]Slightly sappy film, but it did introduce the great Christmas Song "Silver Bells"."My Favorite Brunette" and "Lemon Drop Kid" are given minimalist treatment, but at least the price is reasonable.--- 1952 Son of Paleface [Blu-ray]One of Hope's funniest films, co-starring Jane Russell.It was a sequel to Hope's equally funny 1948 film "Paleface", also starring Jane Russell.Weird:In "Paleface" Bob Hope marries Jane Russell.In "Son of Paleface" Bob Hope, playing the the son of himself and Jane Russell, marries Jane Russell.I'm surprised the censors didn't notice.The song "Buttons and Bows" appears in both films - winner of the Oscar for Best Song in 1948 ("East is east and west is west, and the wrong one I have chose.")"Son of Paleface" is given the deluxe treatment by Kino Lorber with an audio commentary.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2017
1) Road to Singapore - 1940 (Paramount)
2) Road to Zanzibar - 1941 (Paramount)
3) Road to Morocco - 1942 (Paramount)
4) Road to Utopia - 1946 (Paramount)
5) [[ASIN:B0719D2JXN Road to Rio [Blu-ray]]] - 1947
6) [[ASIN:B071L9L9LR Road to Bali [Blu-ray]]] - 1953 (the only one in color)
7) [[ASIN:B00R5TAXFQ Road to Hong Kong [Blu-ray]]] - 1962 (MGM)
All seven films are excellent, but the first four are funniest, especially "Road to Morocco" and "Road to Utopia".
Unfortunately, these four are the only titles not yet on Blu-Ray, though I am optimistic.
Paramount Studio's film library is now owned by Universal which has an active Blu-Ray reissue program.
TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATION:
While we are waiting for a Blu-Ray release of the first four titles, they are still available in a nice two-DVD set from Universal for only $10 (Photo One).
[[ASIN:B008M4C1BC The Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Road to Comedy Collection]]
NOT RECOMMENDED:
Avoid the earlier DVD release of this collection (Photo Two).
All four movies are crammed onto a single double-sided DVD, which is asking for trouble:
[[ASIN:B0001FGBZW On the Road With Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Collection (Road to Singapore/Road to Zanzibar/Road to Morocco/Road to Utopia)]]
BLU-RAY REVIEW:
--- "Road to Rio" (1947) and
--- "Road to Bali" (1953) were produced by Hope and Crosby, and only distributed by Paramount.
Licensed to Kino Lorber for Bu-Ray release.
the "Road to Rio" is given a minimalist release by Kino Lorber with no extras.
My least favorite Road picture.
The writing is not as sharp as the others, plus it is the longest of the seven films (1 hour, 40 minutes), and would have benefited from some tighter editing.
The black and white picture is just OK, despite being preserved by the UCLA Film Archive (apparently the original negative is not pristine).
The "Road to Bali" was a great improvement.
The only Road picture filmed in Technicolor: the blu-ray is spectacular,.
Plus Kino Lorber provides an informative audio commentary.
--- "Road to Hong Kong" (1962) was filmed nine years later.
Hope's only black and white film after 1953.
Bob and Bing are a bit past their prime and poor Dorothy Lamour is reduced to a cameo (the female romantic interest is actually played by Joan Collins).
Still, it's the funniest Bob Hope comedy of the 1960s.
A minimalist production by Olive Films, despite the fact that they are charging nearly $30 for the Blu-Ray (for the same price, you can buy both the "Road to Rio" and "Road to Bali" blu-rays).
Boo.
Olive Films also released it on DVD for $13.
One drawback:
None of the blu-rays have English subtitles (the sound is pretty clear though).
The first four Road films in the two-DVD set from Universal had English SDH subtitles, and I expect the eventual blu-rays will too.
OTHER BOB HOPE FILMS on BLU-RAY:
Kino Lorber has released three other Bob Hope films on Blu-Ray:
--- 1947 [[ASIN:B072FBSFGX My Favorite Brunette [Blu-ray]]]
"My Favorite Brunette" re-united Bob Hope with Dorothy Lamour as his leading lady, and even had a cameo appearance by Bing Crosby, so its almost a Road picture.
--- 1951 [[ASIN:B072HXD15M The Lemon Drop Kid [Blu-ray]]]
Slightly sappy film, but it did introduce the great Christmas Song "Silver Bells".
"My Favorite Brunette" and "Lemon Drop Kid" are given minimalist treatment, but at least the price is reasonable.
--- 1952 [[ASIN:B071NWDWPY Son of Paleface [Blu-ray]]]
One of Hope's funniest films, co-starring Jane Russell.
It was a sequel to Hope's equally funny 1948 film "Paleface", also starring Jane Russell.
Weird:
In "Paleface" Bob Hope marries Jane Russell.
In "Son of Paleface" Bob Hope, playing the the son of himself and Jane Russell, marries Jane Russell.
I'm surprised the censors didn't notice.
The song "Buttons and Bows" appears in both films - winner of the Oscar for Best Song in 1948 ("East is east and west is west, and the wrong one I have chose.")
"Son of Paleface" is given the deluxe treatment by Kino Lorber with an audio commentary.
BLU-RAY REVIEW + How to find the best prints of all seven Road pictures
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2017
Bob Hope and Bing Crosby + Dorothy Lamour made seven "Road" pictures. The last three are available on Blu-Ray:Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2017
1) Road to Singapore - 1940 (Paramount)
2) Road to Zanzibar - 1941 (Paramount)
3) Road to Morocco - 1942 (Paramount)
4) Road to Utopia - 1946 (Paramount)
5) [[ASIN:B0719D2JXN Road to Rio [Blu-ray]]] - 1947
6) [[ASIN:B071L9L9LR Road to Bali [Blu-ray]]] - 1953 (the only one in color)
7) [[ASIN:B00R5TAXFQ Road to Hong Kong [Blu-ray]]] - 1962 (MGM)
All seven films are excellent, but the first four are funniest, especially "Road to Morocco" and "Road to Utopia".
Unfortunately, these four are the only titles not yet on Blu-Ray, though I am optimistic.
Paramount Studio's film library is now owned by Universal which has an active Blu-Ray reissue program.
TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATION:
While we are waiting for a Blu-Ray release of the first four titles, they are still available in a nice two-DVD set from Universal for only $10 (Photo One).
[[ASIN:B008M4C1BC The Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Road to Comedy Collection]]
NOT RECOMMENDED:
Avoid the earlier DVD release of this collection (Photo Two).
All four movies are crammed onto a single double-sided DVD, which is asking for trouble:
[[ASIN:B0001FGBZW On the Road With Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Collection (Road to Singapore/Road to Zanzibar/Road to Morocco/Road to Utopia)]]
BLU-RAY REVIEW:
--- "Road to Rio" (1947) and
--- "Road to Bali" (1953) were produced by Hope and Crosby, and only distributed by Paramount.
Licensed to Kino Lorber for Bu-Ray release.
the "Road to Rio" is given a minimalist release by Kino Lorber with no extras.
My least favorite Road picture.
The writing is not as sharp as the others, plus it is the longest of the seven films (1 hour, 40 minutes), and would have benefited from some tighter editing.
The black and white picture is just OK, despite being preserved by the UCLA Film Archive (apparently the original negative is not pristine).
The "Road to Bali" was a great improvement.
The only Road picture filmed in Technicolor: the blu-ray is spectacular,.
Plus Kino Lorber provides an informative audio commentary.
--- "Road to Hong Kong" (1962) was filmed nine years later.
Hope's only black and white film after 1953.
Bob and Bing are a bit past their prime and poor Dorothy Lamour is reduced to a cameo (the female romantic interest is actually played by Joan Collins).
Still, it's the funniest Bob Hope comedy of the 1960s.
A minimalist production by Olive Films, despite the fact that they are charging nearly $30 for the Blu-Ray (for the same price, you can buy both the "Road to Rio" and "Road to Bali" blu-rays).
Boo.
Olive Films also released it on DVD for $13.
One drawback:
None of the blu-rays have English subtitles (the sound is pretty clear though).
The first four Road films in the two-DVD set from Universal had English SDH subtitles, and I expect the eventual blu-rays will too.
OTHER BOB HOPE FILMS on BLU-RAY:
Kino Lorber has released three other Bob Hope films on Blu-Ray:
--- 1947 [[ASIN:B072FBSFGX My Favorite Brunette [Blu-ray]]]
"My Favorite Brunette" re-united Bob Hope with Dorothy Lamour as his leading lady, and even had a cameo appearance by Bing Crosby, so its almost a Road picture.
--- 1951 [[ASIN:B072HXD15M The Lemon Drop Kid [Blu-ray]]]
Slightly sappy film, but it did introduce the great Christmas Song "Silver Bells".
"My Favorite Brunette" and "Lemon Drop Kid" are given minimalist treatment, but at least the price is reasonable.
--- 1952 [[ASIN:B071NWDWPY Son of Paleface [Blu-ray]]]
One of Hope's funniest films, co-starring Jane Russell.
It was a sequel to Hope's equally funny 1948 film "Paleface", also starring Jane Russell.
Weird:
In "Paleface" Bob Hope marries Jane Russell.
In "Son of Paleface" Bob Hope, playing the the son of himself and Jane Russell, marries Jane Russell.
I'm surprised the censors didn't notice.
The song "Buttons and Bows" appears in both films - winner of the Oscar for Best Song in 1948 ("East is east and west is west, and the wrong one I have chose.")
"Son of Paleface" is given the deluxe treatment by Kino Lorber with an audio commentary.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2010
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2011
