Road to Hong Kong (1962): Dir: Norman Panama / Cast: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Joan Collins, Robert Morley, Peter Sellers: Final Road To comedy flawed in that it mainly takes place in space, not Hong Kong. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope play con men who end up in space. Hope loses his memory but gains it back with enhancement. He accidentally memorizes and destroys a Russian formula for improved rocket fuel. Typical setup but detailed with plot twists sending the comic duo about an array of circumstances. Director Norman Panama has timing and chemistry with Crosby and Hope. Crosby is the straight man who easily manipulates Hope into schemes such as this. Hope is hilarious as the bubbling sidekick whose timing is on target both physically and verbally. Joan Collins is sent by Russian enemies to retrieve the formula thus positioned as the seductive vixen. Robert Morley plays the villain whose scheme isn't exactly unique but his maddening delivery is perfect. Peter sellers makes a memorable and equally amusing appearance as an Indian Physician who would be the last person to hit the top of his job requirement. Production is fine as the duo is sent through several odd procedures before being shipped off to space. Perhaps it should have been more accurately called Road to Outer Space. It is a satire of spy films that is not broad entertainment but certainly a road worth traveling. Score: 6 / 10
Review of The Road to Hong Kong
