Sexy sharpshooter and undercover government agent Calamity Jane (Jane Russell) cons cowardly dentist Painless Potter (Bob Hope) into marrying her as part of her cover in the investigation of a gang of gun-runners. Typical Hope shtick involving mixed-up identities, slapstick comedy, one-liners, and a bit of meta-humour as the pusillanimous Potter is mistaken for a deadly gunman. The script is funny but not particularly clever or witty but, as always, Hope's impeccable comic timing makes the best of the material. Too bad 'der Bingle' wasn't tagging along (although the crooner's absence may have contributed to Bob getting to sing the film's Oscar-winning song 'Buttons and Bows'). Best line: Potter on his family's fortitude: "Brave men run in my family."
Review of The Paleface
