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The Road To Hong Kong (1962) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein

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Ejanss

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Despite the title, it's more of a "reunion" movie ten years after the Road series folded, made by a British company, which is why it always stuck out from the Paramount-produced 40's ones.

But still good for completists (and still full of Bob Hope fourth-wall gags), not to mention a very elegant Joan Collins in her pre-Siren/Edith Keeler days. :)
 

Matt Hough

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From what I understood, Joan Collins was brought in to play opposite the boys because they thought Dorothy Lamour was no longer suitable as a romantic interest for them, and yet Dottie's scenes in the movie are among the most entertaining and charming in the entire picture, and she proves she was more than up to the task of co-star status. For me, Joan Collins is the weak link here.
 

Thomas T

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Collins loathed working with Crosby and said kissing him repulsed her because of his rancid breath. She said he had the revolting habit of spitting on the floor of the set. She adored Hope, however.
 

Will Krupp

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Matt Hough said:
From what I understood, Joan Collins was brought in to play opposite the boys because they thought Dorothy Lamour was no longer suitable as a romantic interest for them, and yet Dottie's scenes in the movie are among the most entertaining and charming in the entire picture, and she proves she was more than up to the task of co-star status.
The irony of male ego driven Hollywood, of course, is that Lamour was 11 years younger than BOTH of the gentlemen! Joan Collins was a full THIRTY years younger than Bob & Bing, and it's both hysterical and creepy that producer Melvin Frank (or whoever made the decision) thought that Collins was more appropriate, age-wise.

I remember that they were contractually bound (somehow) to use Lamour or they couldn't make the movie (the details of that, however, are fuzzy to me.) She was pretty much in retirement at that point and Hope lobbied hard to have her as the leading lady but was overruled. She did her brief cameo with grace (how humiliating it must have been, though) and as a favor to Bob (who she adored) and not for Bing who, apparently, was always dismissive of her and never gave her the time of day. Reportedly, she made them pay through the nose for her services and good for her.

I never really cared for this one all that much (don't much care for BALI either but that's a different story) but it IS historically important as the first movie given a multi-theater saturation "showcase" release in New York rather than the traditional exhibition method of premiering a movie at one of the big Broadway houses and keeping it there exclusively. (I'm always reminded of Arlene Francis elegantly asking the "mystery guest" if they have a picture playing "on Broadway") By the end of the decade the showcase release method would become the norm and it brought an end to Broadway/Times Square's movie palace dominance.**

** To be totally clear, DUEL IN THE SUN was released simultaneously in theaters all over NYC in 1947 but that was a one-off stunt (as Selznick was hoping to drive as much box-office as possible before the reviews caught up with him) that wasn't repeated for nearly 20 years, while HONG KONG represented a conscious (and successful) attempt to re-establish exhibition patterns away from the traditional.
 

Charles Smith

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It's actually the first of the Road movies I ever saw, as a kid, and it made me wonder what all the excitement was about! :)
 

Keith Cobby

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As soon as I noticed this was being released I watched the DVD again. Definitely the worst of the series. I never was a fan of Joan and agree with Matt that it only picks up when Dorothy arrives. Hopefully the other films will be released.

My Favorite Spy arrived yesterday and I am pleased with the picture quality. Hopefully My Favorite Blonde/Brunette will be released in 2015.

There is not enough Hope on blu-ray. I wonder why Here Come the Girls has never been released.
 

Ejanss

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Will Krupp said:
The irony of male ego driven Hollywood, of course, is that Lamour was 11 years younger than BOTH of the gentlemen! Joan Collins was a full THIRTY years younger than Bob & Bing, and it's both hysterical and creepy that producer Melvin Frank (or whoever made the decision) thought that Collins was more appropriate, age-wise.

I never really cared for this one all that much (don't much care for BALI either but that's a different story)
Bali was certainly the last of the Paramount-produced series, long after the 40's so it's got its own problems, but it's similar to Hong Kong in being the only one to fall into the Public Domain pits.

(And do we actually have males doing the crazy Brenda Chapman Brave bit now? Get a grip, for pity's sake!) :lol:
 

Matt Hough

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Will Krupp said:
The irony of male ego driven Hollywood, of course, is that Lamour was 11 years younger than BOTH of the gentlemen! Joan Collins was a full THIRTY years younger than Bob & Bing, and it's both hysterical and creepy that producer Melvin Frank (or whoever made the decision) thought that Collins was more appropriate, age-wise.

I remember that they were contractually bound (somehow) to use Lamour or they couldn't make the movie (the details of that, however, are fuzzy to me.) She was pretty much in retirement at that point and Hope lobbied hard to have her as the leading lady but was overruled. She did her brief cameo with grace (how humiliating it must have been, though) and as a favor to Bob (who she adored) and not for Bing who, apparently, was always dismissive of her and never gave her the time of day. Reportedly, she made them pay through the nose for her services and good for her.

I never really cared for this one all that much (don't much care for BALI either but that's a different story) but it IS historically important as the first movie given a multi-theater saturation "showcase" release in New York rather than the traditional exhibition method of premiering a movie at one of the big Broadway houses and keeping it there exclusively. (I'm always reminded of Arlene Francis elegantly asking the "mystery guest" if they have a picture playing "on Broadway") By the end of the decade the showcase release method would become the norm and it brought an end to Broadway/Times Square's movie palace dominance.**

** To be totally clear, DUEL IN THE SUN was released simultaneously in theaters all over NYC in 1947 but that was a one-off stunt (as Selznick was hoping to drive as much box-office as possible before the reviews caught up with him) that wasn't repeated for nearly 20 years, while HONG KONG represented a conscious (and successful) attempt to re-establish exhibition patterns away from the traditional.
Thanks so much for this more elaborate background on the making of the film. I'm going to haul out my DVD tonight and rewatch it. It's been a long, long time since I saw it.
 

Dee Zee

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Since this topic is current, may run a quick pitch? I've been mulling over trying to produce a documentary about the 7 Hope-Crosby road films. Would there be any interest in such a film?
 

Ejanss

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Dee Zee said:
Since this topic is current, may run a quick pitch? I've been mulling over trying to produce a documentary about the 7 Hope-Crosby road films. Would there be any interest in such a film?
If there was a DVD/Blu boxset, yes.

Oh, and I actually like Road to Bali. A lot.
(wandering through the jungle)
(stock clip of Humphrey Bogart from "African Queen")Bing: "It must've been him, here's his Oscar."
Bob: "Gimme that! You've already got one!"

:lol:
 

Matt Hough

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Dee Zee said:
Since this topic is current, may run a quick pitch? I've been mulling over trying to produce a documentary about the 7 Hope-Crosby road films. Would there be any interest in such a film?
There would be with me. The films still play fine and are lots of fun to watch. Plus every one of them has at least one beautiful ballad or one delightful up tempo tune.

I rewatched The Road to Hong Kong tonight. Definitely the weakest Road picture, and yet it's got that wonderful "Teamwork" song and some great throwaway lines here and there.

The DVD, as was said before, is not anamorphic and yet it zoomed just fine on my equipment with not bad results at all. The Blu-ray should look splendid.
 

Bob_S.

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My 12 year old son and I were watching Holiday Inn a couple days ago and I mentioned to him that he should watch the Road movies that I have on dvd, thought he would like them. I'll have to pull them out after Christmas.
 

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