Frank Tashlin's last movie (he died in 1972) is certainly not one of his best. In fact, it could justly be described as a somewhat disappointing effort. None the less, it is not as bad, in my opinion, as some people rate it. Of course, ratings all depend on the viewer's expectations. If you've paid out good money and your expectations are high, you would be inclined to give the film the lowest marks possible. But if you're a professional reviewer, you don't pay out any money and you have only a few expectations. You avoid reading what's published in the New York and Los Angeles press, and you prejudge the movie from what you have seen of the artists' previous work. On this basis, this "Private Navy..." is a good Bob Hope comedy. Not superlative, not wonderful. not a scream... but not the pits either! Admittedly, it has a lot going wrong for it. Although writer Tashlin's gags are fair enough, director Tashlin's sloppy approach with his pointless use of close- ups is to be deplored. And his direction of the players is also none too hot. Admittedly, Lolo comes across well. She's had to deal with more than a few bum directors in her time and she knows how to handle them. Mylene, on the other hand, should have threatened court action if her woefully directed footage was not removed. On yet another hand, there are some good cracks at the expense of Bing Crosby, who appears in an extract of his rendition of the title song of "Pennies from Heaven".
