Road to Morocco (1942)

Waste of time

People are voting emotionally.

How sad is this?

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Outrageous farce scripted in the exotic settings of exploding ships, journeys by foot and camel over endless sand dunes, and exotic bazaars and palaces, palace girls and sheiks. Most appropriate for kids and those who laugh easily, but I found much of the humor funny. Many consider this the best of the series. However, I find it difficult to single out one as better than the rest.There were a number of moderately good songs, mainly in the first half, perhaps to entice the viewers to expect more in the second half. Bing got 2 solos: "Ain't Got a Dime to my Name", and "Moonlight Becomes You", the latter the most popular song in the film. It was reprised in the second half, with stars Crosby, Bob Hope , and Dorothy Lamour, taking turns singing parts of it. Bing and Hope had an early duet while on camels : "We're off on the Road to Morocco". Dorothy got one solo in "Constantly". The tunes were composed by Jimmy Van Heusen, with lyrics by Johnny Burke. Mostly Dorothy just lay around in opulent palace surroundings, promised to wed Sheik MulBay Kasim(Anthony Quinn), until she met these 2 former stowaways. Evidently, she strongly preferred an American husband, as did the palace girl Mihirmah(Dona Drake). Initially attracted to Hope, Dorothy soon changed her mind when she overheard Bing serenading her with "Moonlight Becomes You". This opened the door for Mihirmah throwing herself at Hope.Actually , Dorothy's young ambition was to be a band and radio singer, rather than actress, which she accomplished. Her best received early films were those in she played an exotic woman, such as "jungle girl", even though she doesn't look exotic to me. In contrast, Dona Drake, who played Mihirmah looked ethnic, perhaps Polynesian. She also was mainly a band singer in her early career and was friends with Dorothy, who pressured Paramount to sign her. However, she soon decided she was better off free lancing.I don't understand why Hope went in the "powder room" to smoke, hence causing the ships in the beginning and ending to blow up? Why wasn't he killed or at least maimed in the explosions??Incidentally, the 2-humped Bactrian camels shown wouldn't likely be in Morocco. They are best adapted to north central and east Asia, with fierce winters.

After accidentally causing their ship to sink "Orville Jackson" (Bob Hope) and his buddy "Jeff Peters" (Bing Crosby) find themselves drifting in the middle of the ocean on a small raft with no food or water. Fortunately, they discover land in the distance and eventually manage to make their way to shore. Not long afterward they come across a camel and ride on it through the desert to a nearby city. At that point Jeff sells Orville to a slave trader and after finding out that he is being tortured decides to rescue him. It's at this time that Jeff discovers that nothing could be further from the truth as Orville is actually having a great time and is soon to marry "Princess Shalmar" (Dorothy Lamour). Unfortunately, a powerful warlord named "Mullay Kasim" (Anthony Quinn) also has his eyes set on Princess Shalmar and he has no intention of allowing anybody to marry her. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a nice little comedy which complements the "Road Series" rather well. Even though they play different characters in each film I especially liked the continuing dynamics and the between the three main characters who seem to be having a good time in the process. In any case, although it is clearly dated and as a result may not be a top-of-the-line film these days, I still found it somewhat enjoyable and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

In this-the third Road movie starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour-the series reaches its peak what with one camel spitting in Hope's eye, a few more talking with animated mouths, and an all-out chase involving various noises and explosions! Lots of great lines and scenes involving Hope and Crosby and get this-not only does Crosby still end up with Ms. Lamour but Hope also ends up with another pretty woman played by Dona Drake! Great use of inside jokes as well as voices coming out of the wrong mouths when the three leads sing "Moonlight Becomes You"! In summary, Road to Morocco is perhaps the most fun of the Road movies yet! Oh, and Anthony Quinn makes his second of appearances in the series, his first being Road to Singapore. Next up, Road to Utopia.

You can't go into a viewing of any Hope and Crosby picture expecting a strong story or plot,nor should you expect the acting to be great.Bob Hope's true strength was stand up comedy,not acting,and I think he knew that.That's why we only saw him in roles where he could be pretty much rely on his stand up skills.Bing Crosby,on the other hand,had a knack for acting even though he was primarily a singer.In fact,his knack won him an Oscar two years after he did this film,so you know he took it seriously.Since Hope's acting skills were not strong,I thing that Bing saw these films they did together as a chance to relax and have a little fun,and to take a break from the seriousness of the acting profession.Despite their contrasting talents,there is no denying the great chemistry that existed between the pair,which makes Road to Morocco fun to watch.Also,if I may add,Dorothy Lamour and Dona Drake are also fun to watch,but for a different reason.I suppose that's just the typical male in me talking. ;-)