This is the first "Road Picture" starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby and it's a bit unlike the others because of the number of songs and the more serious nature of the story. All the Hope-Crosby films had musical numbers, but ROAD TO SINGAPORE had just too many--especially the big production numbers that studios absolutely loved during this era. Try watching the early Abbott and Costello films and you'll see what I mean! This along with less comedy make this an enjoyable film but not among the better films in the series.
The film begins with Bing Crosby having an absolutely awful life. He comes from an immensely wealthy family and a hot rich lady is aching to marry him--so naturally he runs from this as fast as humanly possible! I personally thought his character was certifiably insane, but no one else seemed to think this! Anyway, he and his good buddy (Bob Hope) disappear just before Crosby's wedding and they set out for a place where they can sit around doing nothing. This search for nothing leads them to Singapore, though some of the native dress and culture seems very strangely out of place. What also seems a bit out of place is Dorothy Lamour, though she later explains that her parents were not from Singapore, so at least the producers recognized that making her Southeast Asian would not work.
While Crosby and Hope are avowed bachelors who like the simple life, naturally they both soon are taken with wonderful Dorothy and her sexy ways. Just before Crosby makes his move and asks Lamour to marry him, up pop Crosby's dad (Charles Coburn) and his hottie fiancée (Judith Barrett). Considering everything, guess which one smooth ol' Bing chooses in the end? Overall, while not a great film, its simple end easy-going style is very endearing and the characters are quite likable--even if Bing is insane!! Try ROAD TO ZANZIBAR or ROAD TO MOROCCO and you'll find a similar film but with a bit wackier sensibilities and more laughs.
By the way, compared to later films of the series, Bob Hope's character is a lot tougher here. In later films, he's a confirmed coward.
The film begins with Bing Crosby having an absolutely awful life. He comes from an immensely wealthy family and a hot rich lady is aching to marry him--so naturally he runs from this as fast as humanly possible! I personally thought his character was certifiably insane, but no one else seemed to think this! Anyway, he and his good buddy (Bob Hope) disappear just before Crosby's wedding and they set out for a place where they can sit around doing nothing. This search for nothing leads them to Singapore, though some of the native dress and culture seems very strangely out of place. What also seems a bit out of place is Dorothy Lamour, though she later explains that her parents were not from Singapore, so at least the producers recognized that making her Southeast Asian would not work.
While Crosby and Hope are avowed bachelors who like the simple life, naturally they both soon are taken with wonderful Dorothy and her sexy ways. Just before Crosby makes his move and asks Lamour to marry him, up pop Crosby's dad (Charles Coburn) and his hottie fiancée (Judith Barrett). Considering everything, guess which one smooth ol' Bing chooses in the end? Overall, while not a great film, its simple end easy-going style is very endearing and the characters are quite likable--even if Bing is insane!! Try ROAD TO ZANZIBAR or ROAD TO MOROCCO and you'll find a similar film but with a bit wackier sensibilities and more laughs.
By the way, compared to later films of the series, Bob Hope's character is a lot tougher here. In later films, he's a confirmed coward.