Reviews (16)

Bali who?
What a delightful Road DVD. Although the only extra is a Bio on Bob Hope, overall it is well worth the money. The color is great and the sound is acceptable(only ocassional fluctuation in level). The sets and costumes really add to this movie. Undoubtly they made them more colorful since this was the only road movie made in color. What a pity. This certainly follows the tradition of the others and Hope, Crosby, and Lamour look great. From stage performers to deep sea divers they sing and dance their way into your heart. If you only buy one road movie then be sure it is this one since it is great and the color will appeal to a younger audience as well. A movie that the whole family will find amusing jokes or site gags.

A Good Road Movie,A Great DVD
From 1940 to 1962, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made seven riotous road movies, and "The Road To Bali" is the sixth in the series. Even though Bing and Bob were both 49 years old, and Dorothy Lamour was 38 when the movie was made, for the most part they walk sprightly down this road. This movie also marks the only road movie made in color, and there are guest stars galore in this film like:Bob Crosby,Humphrey Bogart, and Jane Rusell among others. As usual, the story deals with some kinf of treasures and bad guys, and of course Bob does not get the girl. However, the jokes and laughs are almost as funny today as they were almost fifty years ago.

This DVD edition is of pretty good quality even though it is a bargain issue. The added enjoyment is the short "The Road To Hollywood" which features shorts from Bing Crosby's early days with Mack Sennett (around the 1929 to 1931 period). Even though these shorts are prehistoric, the quality is as good as I have seen them. It is also great to see the young Bing Crosby emerge as a young superstar. So, I do recommend this DVD issue, because with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope they will have you on the road to laughter...

Good but not the best of the road series.
I really love Bob Hope but this was not one of his best. Funny yes but look at the younger Hope movies and you will agree that he has better timeing and hummor in the thirties and fourties. I loved son of Pale face not a road move but a real funny one and lemon drop kid also. I'm not convinced that just because this movie was in color that it appeals to a younger crowd. My kids liked the BW ones much better.

Not the Best Introduction to the "Road" Movies
I have never seen one of the Hope/Crosby road movies so I picked up this DVD when I saw it on sale. I was not very impressed. I could see the format that I had heard of; the Crosby/Hope act, the songs, Dorothy Lamour, various hijinks, the patty-cake game, someone gets the girl, etc. However, the humor seemed weak in this movie. The songs were bland, the suggestion that we were in Bali was really stretching the mind's capacity. I was, to put it bluntly, disappointed with "The Road to Bali". I have seen Hope in other movies where I could appreciate his gift for smart aleck humor. His style is there in this movie as well. He just wasn't given much to work with. I'll check out some other road pictures. I assume that this one was the exception.

Not the Best of the Roads, but Full of Engagingly Silly Fun
Bali was a good thematic backdrop for the first color Road movie, and there are a number of special effects to enjoy (actually one of 'em is kind of creepy, but everyone was laughing between the gasps and groans).

If you think you're going to see anything in this film about another actual culture, you're mistaken. Like all the Roads, this one gives a bizarre Hollywood version of some exotic destination or two. From Edith Head's oulandish costumes to Australians talking like Kansas farmers, Road to Bali is no National Geographic special.

Lamour gets to sing a cute song twice, (and she is shown singing and swimming in one memorable scene) but otherwise her role seems shorter than ever, which is kind of a shame. But there are many other pretty girls to ogle at, and some wacked-out dance numbers. Actually, it has all the ingredients of a cult hit! (So, actually, if you like weird movies, this is the best Road movie to include in your collection).

Not the best comedic writing of the Road movies, but still full of nuttiness & fun. Plenty of laughs over dumb gags, wiseacre bantering, and dimwit jokes. Good physical comedy, mugging at camera, silliness. Definitely displays American culture most of all!! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

I love this movie
I live on TCM and while this isn't the best movie from that era I've seen, I do love it. I just love Betty Hutton. She's amazing and I just love her voice. Yes, the audio isn't perfect. Yes, some of the picture quality isn't there, but this was made in 1945 and it was a small budget movie. What do you expect. Just because it wasn't made in the same grandeur of Gone With The Wind or The Wizard Of Oz, doesn't make it a bad movie. Yes it's predictable. But aren't all love stories.
I love the fashion and hair styles of that era and this is a great visual pleasure for me. Lots of great hair styles, lots of great dresses.
I've watched this twice already. If you like old love stories and like to laugh, this is a good buy. God bless you Betty.

Average musical...
If you've never heard of this film, there's probably a good reason why; it's average to the point of being dull. But that isn't to say that the film is not worth a look.

Betty Hutton and Barry Fitzgerald both serve admirably in this musical comedy, but there are few if any surprises that would make it stand out. As it is, the movie never really gets beyond predictable.

Hatcheck girl at the Stork Club and aspiring singer Hutton saves millionaire Fitzgerald from drowning, and assumes he's broke and down on his luck. But Fitzgerald decides to secretly be Hutton's financial angel, and help her live the high life. Problems ensue when Hutton's soldier boyfriend and aspiring band leader assumes that Hutton is a "kept woman," and has a jealous fit.

Robert Benchley plays Fitzgerald's lawyer with some humor, while Iris Adrian is fun as Hutton's best friend Gwen, but beyond them, the balance of supporting cast is fair to average. In fact, most of the comedy is derived from Fitzgerald's mugging over the painfully crazy spending habits of Hutton rather than the comedy of errors over who thinks who is supposedly seeing who on the sly.

The music in the film also ranges. Some of the songs are entertaining, if not memorable. "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief" and "If I Had A Dozen Hearts" are both pretty good, but at least one number is really annoying. "I'm a Square in the Social Circle" is bothersome not because of the lyrics, but from the sheer volume blasting at you. The poor audio quality makes Hutton sound more like she's hollering than singing, and it's hard to tell if this was due to a bad recording session back in 1945, or a poor audio transfer to DVD.

The Stork Club itself is strangely only incidental to the story, although the famous nightclub was faithfully recreated on Hollywood soundstages. The sad thing is that the nightclub depicted in the movie has little to do with the actual club, and as such the movie lacks something the title implies.

The movie is only entertaining as far as it goes, so it isn't really a keeper. Still, it is a good example of a low-budget studio musical from the time, and has little or no objectionable material.

get the DVD instead of the video
the vhs version leaves out the song.."doctor, lawyer, indian chief".... the picture and sound on the DVD is better although could be improved.......the dvd outshines the video by miles........i have both versions and i'm sorry i bought the video......betty hutton is great in the film....worth having in your collection just for her antics.........betty gets 10 stars by herself....

Good lighthearted fun
I can't comment on the quality of this particular video transfer, but this is a pretty fun film. Singer/comedienne Betty Hutton stars as a gal working as a hat check girl in the hottest club in town, in the waning days of WWII. Being wholesome and all-American as she is, when Hutton spots a doddering old man falling into the ocean when she's out for a swim, she naturally saves his life and hauls him back onshore. What she doesn't know is that the old curmudgeon, played in a broad Irish brogue by a winsome Barry Fitzgerald, is really a misanthropic bazillionaire, who is naturally quite moved by her selflessness. He anonymously arranges for her to be provided for financially, but can't resist hanging around to see what happens when she's given all his dough. Complications ensue when her boyfriend comes back from the war and gets bent out of shape wondering who her new sugar daddy is, and she has to try to patch things up. At the heart of this movie is a fabulous performance by Betty Hutton (who's sister Marion was a featured vocalist in the Glenn Miller band, and who bears an uncanny resemblance to Joan Cusack, sister of John...) She is as cute and as charming as they come, and when she does her comedic song-and-dance numbers, she'll blow your mind. Hutton's vocal range and physical ability are both amazing -- how many people have you seen moon-walk in high heels while belting out a great tune like "Square In A Social Circle"? The other great performance is by the no-nonsense nightclub owner, played by Bill Goodwin, who gets off some crisp one-liners. The plot drags a bit, but this is still a nice wartime B-movie, and a must-see for any potential Hutton fans out there.

Hmmmm....
I suppose the other reviewer is right and that this particular version is a bad print of this film. Still, I have to say that this is a pretty fun film. Singer/comedienne Betty Hutton stars as a gal working as a hat check girl in the hottest club in town, in the waning days of WWII. Being wholesome and all-American as she is, when Hutton spots a doddering old man falling into the ocean when she's out for a swim, she naturally saves his life and hauls him back onshore. What she doesn't know is that the old curmudgeon, played in a broad Irish brogue by a winsome Barry Fitzgerald, is really a misanthropic bazillionaire, who is naturally quite moved by her selflessness. He anonymously arranges for her to be provided for financially, but can't resist hanging around to see what happens when she's given all his dough. Complications ensue when her boyfriend comes back from the war and gets bent out of shape wondering who her new sugar daddy is, and she has to try to patch things up. At the heart of this movie is a fabulous performance by Betty Hutton (who's sister Marion was a featured vocalist in the Glenn Miller band, and who bears an uncanny resemblance to actor Joan Cusack, sister of John...) She is as cute and as charming as they come, and when she does her comedic song-and-dance numbers, she'll blow your mind. Hutton's vocal range and physical ability are both amazing -- how many people have you seen moon-walk in high heels while belting out a great tune like "Square In A Social Circle"? The other great performance is by the no-nonsense nightclub owner, played by Bill Goodwin, who gets off some crisp one-liners. The plot drags a bit, but this is still a nice wartime B-movie, and a must-see for any potential Hutton fans out there. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

At War With The Army
Hollywood Classics Collection DVD
1950 Black & White with a running time of 92 min.
Directed by Hal Walker
Starring Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin and introducing Polly Bergen
The transfer from VHS to DVD was done well. The picture quality and sound are very good.
In this film Martin and Lewis are starting out their career together. Martin plays a Sergeant that has girl troubles and Lewis plays a bumbling Private First Class. They find out that the Army isn't so accommondating to their wants or desires. Martin's singing in this film reminds us of how remarkable and charming he was. The antics Lewis performs shows us his talent of mockery and silliness. The best scenes of this film are when Lewis is dressed as a woman singing a love song to a drunk soldier and Lewis' battle with the soda machine. This film is a good family film but probably wouldn't keep the attention of the younger generations. However, for our generation, it is a nice look back at the beginning career of Martin and Lewis.

THE NAVY GETS THE GRAVY WHILE THE ARMY GETS THE BEANS
My mom bought me At War With The Army and THE MARTIN&LEWIS show from when they appeared on the Colgate Comedy Hour and I thought that this movie would be good like their other movies but mine had tracking I had to fix all through the movie-and it screwed up two times!

This movie was boring-all it had was people running around-and the plot didnt even go nowhere-if there was a plot!

And what was up with Jerry wearing that dress?
that part was dumb!

A WINNER...
This one was a nice surprise. I had already seen the movie, and had enjoyed it, but didn't know what to expect from this DVD. Face it, Madacy dosen't rank too high with collectors as far as picture quality goes! But here they surprise me with a print thats scratched, but extremely clear. And a bonus of newsreel footage from the year in excellent condition, as well as a blooper reel (not from "Army")? Things are looking up here, and at six bucks and change, some value as well! Fans should seek this one out.

It's worth watching, but...
I have to admit I was a little disappointed in this movie but considering it was a first it wasn't a bad attempt. We did get a few laughs, but not as many as I had hoped for.

All three of my children are die-hard old comedy movie buffs and this one only held the attention of the oldest (14-year-old). The other two drifted off to more interesting activities.

I'll definately watch it again but it'll never rank in my top favorites I'm sorry to say.

great fun for the whole family
I have loved Lewis and Martin since I was a child and now I share the fun with my children. My 5 year old loves the hilarious stunts Lewis does and the soda machine scene must be rewound and played over and over. He has tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. I highly recommend for the family. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

At War With The Army
Hollywood Classics Collection DVD
1950 Black & White with a running time of 92 min.
Directed by Hal Walker
Starring Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin and introducing Polly Bergen
The transfer from VHS to DVD was done well. The picture quality and sound are very good.
In this film Martin and Lewis are starting out their career together. Martin plays a Sergeant that has girl troubles and Lewis plays a bumbling Private First Class. They find out that the Army isn't so accommondating to their wants or desires. Martin's singing in this film reminds us of how remarkable and charming he was. The antics Lewis performs shows us his talent of mockery and silliness. The best scenes of this film are when Lewis is dressed as a woman singing a love song to a drunk soldier and Lewis' battle with the soda machine. This film is a good family film but probably wouldn't keep the attention of the younger generations. However, for our generation, it is a nice look back at the beginning career of Martin and Lewis.

THE NAVY GETS THE GRAVY WHILE THE ARMY GETS THE BEANS
My mom bought me At War With The Army and THE MARTIN&LEWIS show from when they appeared on the Colgate Comedy Hour and I thought that this movie would be good like their other movies but mine had tracking I had to fix all through the movie-and it screwed up two times!

This movie was boring-all it had was people running around-and the plot didnt even go nowhere-if there was a plot!

And what was up with Jerry wearing that dress?
that part was dumb!

A WINNER...
This one was a nice surprise. I had already seen the movie, and had enjoyed it, but didn't know what to expect from this DVD. Face it, Madacy dosen't rank too high with collectors as far as picture quality goes! But here they surprise me with a print thats scratched, but extremely clear. And a bonus of newsreel footage from the year in excellent condition, as well as a blooper reel (not from "Army")? Things are looking up here, and at six bucks and change, some value as well! Fans should seek this one out.

It's worth watching, but...
I have to admit I was a little disappointed in this movie but considering it was a first it wasn't a bad attempt. We did get a few laughs, but not as many as I had hoped for.

All three of my children are die-hard old comedy movie buffs and this one only held the attention of the oldest (14-year-old). The other two drifted off to more interesting activities.

I'll definately watch it again but it'll never rank in my top favorites I'm sorry to say.

great fun for the whole family
I have loved Lewis and Martin since I was a child and now I share the fun with my children. My 5 year old loves the hilarious stunts Lewis does and the soda machine scene must be rewound and played over and over. He has tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. I highly recommend for the family. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Hope when he was good!
It's a shame that we don't get to see much of Bob Hope's earlier movies on free TV or cable, because they're 99% of the reason the man is so venerated today! For some reason, after 1963, Hope couldn't make a genuinely funny movie to save his life. I guess he just wasn't hungry anymore. The first REAL dog was "I'll Take Sweden", a travesty he did with Frankie Avalon and Tuesday Weld. The wisecracking machine had wound down, and the jokes were lame, but here, in one of his legendary "Road" movies with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour, he was in full fetter, tossing them off like M-80s along with Crosby, who still manages to surprise me with how adept HE is with one-liners in these movies.

The plot involves H & C playing two vaudevillians in Melbourne, Australia who have both proposed to the same girl, hence starting a chase that has them hoping a train to nowhere, where they find jobs as deep sea divers that take them to the south seas where they meet Lamour through her cousin that hires them. The usual rivalry for her affections ensues and then a whole farce involving treasure, forced marriage and animals develops. There are guest appearances by Humphrey Bogart and Martin and Lewis in this little gem, along with Jane Russell and it's all done to a comic turn. Hope is in great form here and the production itself pretty much follows his lead.

During this period, (the late forties and early fifties,) Paramount and Columbia were THE houses for comedies and farces, and this is among Paramount's best!

You can't go wrong getting this gem along with the other "Road" and pre-"Call Me Bwana" Bob Hope movies...

Now to find "Casanova's Big Night"! (g) ... Read more

Amazon.com

I feel sorry for people who can't appreciate Hope and Crosby "road" pictures.This is the fourth in the series, and has the boys masquerading as the killers Sperry and McGurk, from whom they've stolen the map to a gold mine, but which really belongs to Dorothy Lamour, but which... and you know it really doesn't matter anyway.The point is they've got this thin plot on which to hang a series of hit-and-miss jokes, coming fast enough to make it just all right and a certain amount of time to see who gets Dorothy Lamour, while maintaining their fierce and friendly and wisecracking rivalry. They're in the Klondike this time around, which doesn't stop the film from working in a glimpse of Dorothy in her sarong.Along the way, animals talk, including the humorist Robert Benchley, whose thoroughly dispensable introduction and running commentary I wouldn't dispense with for anything.This is arguably the goofiest of the road pictures.My favorite joke is when Bob is bested in fishing with Bing.Bob remarks, "My worm must have B.O."Bing comes back with "Couldn't B.U."You may not care where you're going, just as long as you're with them. Put it there, pal, put it there. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Surrealism, songs, slapstick- a fantastically funny flick!
Classic 1946 comedy "Road to Utopia", the 4th in the "Road" series, starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. After their Morocco jaunt in 1942, Crosby, Hope and Lamour spent four years making their separate successes, before rejoining to go back in time on an anachronistic Alaskan adventure in "Road to Utopia", a film that was nominated for a "Best Original Screenplay" Oscar and which is even crazier than its predecessor, with a talking fish taking over from Morocco's comical camel, the addition of narrator Robert Benchley and an ending so outrageous it's a wonder they managed to sneak it past the censor! The Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Huesen score includes "Put it There, Pal", "Good Time Charlie" and "Personality". Surrealism, songs, slapstick- a fantastically funny flick and an essential for fans of Hope, Crosby, Lamour or crazy comedy in general. An American classic!

Who'd Be Selling Fish At This Hour?
This is hardly an original insight, but anyone who dismisses Bob Hope as the tiresome, unfunny comic from those dreadful 1960s 'comedies' he appeared in is missing out on a real national treasure - his films up to around 1952 are hysterically funny, and his ROAD entries with cohorts Crosby and Lamour are among the best of 'em. Hope, along with the brilliant Preston Sturges, had restored Paramount to the comedy throne they'd occupied in the early 30s; from the lavish budget and attention to period detail throughout UTOPIA, it's obvious that the studio was not ungrateful. For my money, ROAD TO UTOPIA is the funniest film he ever made (though there are half-a-dozen others close on its heels). As in all ROAD movies, the engine powering the vehicle was the lightning-quick banter between the two leads; Crosby smooth as snake-oil, Hope perpetually suspicious and cowardly. And with excellent reason - no straight man ever victimized a foil the way Bing routinely does to Bob. ROAD movies always threaded their satires of B-movie plots (this one spoofing Robert W Service-style frozen-North melodrama) with plenty of topical humor, much of it capitalizing on the fans' awareness of the stars' personal foibles (Crosby's rivalry with Sinatra, his investments in thoroughbreds, Hope's disastrous box-office returns in LET'S FACE IT), and there's a goodly amount of what's now referred to as 'breaking the fourth wall' (they talk directly to the audience at varying points). What elevates UTOPIA just over the others is the sky-high breezy confidence of everyone involved this go-around. The cast and crew, coming off ROAD TO MOROCCO, were on a roll and knew it, and they ride that momentum for all it's worth (Hope's constant kibitzing is particularly hilarious). Der Bingle gets to groan a couple of subpar songs (as opposed to MOROCCO's highlights - 'Ho Hum' and 'Moonlight Becomes You' - this outing's 'It's Anybody's Spring' and 'Welcome To My Dream' are instantly forgettable) but the team's 'Put It There, Pal' is infectious fun and Miss Lamour's 'Personality' is sexy and sprightly. A further note on Lamour - she's luxuriously beautiful here, an ice-cream sundae with curves (why she's never ranked with the decade's top screen sirens is unfathomable: she's every bit the looker that Lake, Grable, Hayworth & Sheridan were, and a better singer besides). My apologies for not quoting any of the zingers from the script, but there are just too many of them to play favorites with. ROAD TO UTOPIA is well worth the effort it'll take you to track down; get cracking.

This Utopia is a road to laughs!!
My teenaged son loves classic movies, and he's a huge fan of all the Bob Hope/Bing Crosby "Road" pictures. This is his favorite one, and I can see why. There's a chuckle a minute on this "Road to Utopia," as well as some enjoyable songs by Crosby, Hope and Dorothy Lamour.

...I would agree that there are some memorable one liners in this "Road" picture, but you really have to see and hear them in context.

This is a good one, just for laughs. Corny, but fun!

Hope and Crosby excel in one of the best of the Road series
Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour made seven "Road" films in total and all were great entertainment and worth seeing (except perhaps for their last one "The Road to Hong Kong" (1962) which was something of a disappointment and not up to the standards of the earlier films). However, "Road to Utopia" in my opinion was one of the best and has not become dated over the years. The film is very fast moving with gag following gag, talking animals, Bob Hope's remarks to the camera, and even has comedian Robert Benchley interrupting proceedings to give a running commentary on the film as it progresses! Dorothy Lamour provides the glamour and adds a song or two.

Duke Johnson (Bing Crosby) and Chester Hooton (Bob Hope) are struggling entertainers down on their luck who travel to Alaska. Killers Sperry and McGurk steal a vital map showing the location of a gold mine. Our two heroes manage to obtain the map and decide to impersonate Sperry and McGurk which leads them into more trouble than they could have imagined. Along the way they meet saloon singer Sal Van Hoyden (Dorothy Lamour) and as usual both men compete for her charms. With the real Sperry and McGurk hot on their trail plus other assorted villains after them Hope and Crosby get into many tight corners but they still find time for some great songs along the way including "Put It There Pal" which is a typical Hope-Crosby number.

Some favourite lines from the film:

Bob Hope (to Bing Crosby): "I didn't think there was one more way to get the cops after us but you found it!".

Hope (to Crosby): "Next time I'll bring Sinatra". (When Crosby loses a talent contest on board ship).

Hope (to Crosby): "It may be a mountain to you but it's bread and butter to me!".

Hope (to Douglass Dumbrille): "I'll take a lemonade .... in a dirty glass".

I have always been a big fan of Bob Hope and as a young schoolboy and then later as a teenager I used to wait eagerly with anticipation for each new Bob Hope picture to arrive at our local cinema. They didn't always come up to expectations but if it was a "Road" film then I was pretty sure that it would be O.K. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby were two of the biggest stars to come out of Hollywood in the 30's and 40's and although the "Road" films never won any "Oscars" they certainly brought an enormous amount of pleasure to a lot of people during that time and can still be enjoyed today. Clive Roberts.

Second best Road movie
"Road to Utopia" is nearly as good as "Road to Morocco" which is generally considered the classic of all seven Road movies. The interplay between Hope and Crosby is truly hilarious here and anyone who thinks Hope had no comedic timing needs to see this film. In addition, Bing Crosby was a "straight man" of considerable talent. Bob Hope is particularly hilarious here, as he gives a performance that is even more impromptu and loose than usual. The chemistry between he and Bing was never shown to better advantage, their screen chemistry is palpable. My favorite scene is when the duo swaggers into a tough Alaskan bar and Bob struggles to appear macho in the midst of all these tough guys. Finally he orders lemonade, which makes everyone at the bar snicker and hoot. Then Bob immediately adds in a deep, snarling voice... "in a dirty glass!" You have to see this to appreciate it, but it really is funny.

The only negative about the film is the gratuitous appearence of Robert Benchley as a sometime commentator. His remarks aren't funny and distract the viewer. Otherwise, this is a very funny movie and a joy to watch. The ending is one that slipped by the Hayes office, keep your eyes peeled. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Bali who?
What a delightful Road DVD. Although the only extra is a Bio on Bob Hope, overall it is well worth the money. The color is great and the sound is acceptable(only ocassional fluctuation in level). The sets and costumes really add to this movie. Undoubtly they made them more colorful since this was the only road movie made in color. What a pity. This certainly follows the tradition of the others and Hope, Crosby, and Lamour look great. From stage performers to deep sea divers they sing and dance their way into your heart. If you only buy one road movie then be sure it is this one since it is great and the color will appeal to a younger audience as well. A movie that the whole family will find amusing jokes or site gags.

A Good Road Movie,A Great DVD
From 1940 to 1962, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made seven riotous road movies, and "The Road To Bali" is the sixth in the series. Even though Bing and Bob were both 49 years old, and Dorothy Lamour was 38 when the movie was made, for the most part they walk sprightly down this road. This movie also marks the only road movie made in color, and there are guest stars galore in this film like:Bob Crosby,Humphrey Bogart, and Jane Rusell among others. As usual, the story deals with some kinf of treasures and bad guys, and of course Bob does not get the girl. However, the jokes and laughs are almost as funny today as they were almost fifty years ago.

This DVD edition is of pretty good quality even though it is a bargain issue. The added enjoyment is the short "The Road To Hollywood" which features shorts from Bing Crosby's early days with Mack Sennett (around the 1929 to 1931 period). Even though these shorts are prehistoric, the quality is as good as I have seen them. It is also great to see the young Bing Crosby emerge as a young superstar. So, I do recommend this DVD issue, because with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope they will have you on the road to laughter...

Good but not the best of the road series.
I really love Bob Hope but this was not one of his best. Funny yes but look at the younger Hope movies and you will agree that he has better timeing and hummor in the thirties and fourties. I loved son of Pale face not a road move but a real funny one and lemon drop kid also. I'm not convinced that just because this movie was in color that it appeals to a younger crowd. My kids liked the BW ones much better.

Not the Best Introduction to the "Road" Movies
I have never seen one of the Hope/Crosby road movies so I picked up this DVD when I saw it on sale. I was not very impressed. I could see the format that I had heard of; the Crosby/Hope act, the songs, Dorothy Lamour, various hijinks, the patty-cake game, someone gets the girl, etc. However, the humor seemed weak in this movie. The songs were bland, the suggestion that we were in Bali was really stretching the mind's capacity. I was, to put it bluntly, disappointed with "The Road to Bali". I have seen Hope in other movies where I could appreciate his gift for smart aleck humor. His style is there in this movie as well. He just wasn't given much to work with. I'll check out some other road pictures. I assume that this one was the exception.

Not the Best of the Roads, but Full of Engagingly Silly Fun
Bali was a good thematic backdrop for the first color Road movie, and there are a number of special effects to enjoy (actually one of 'em is kind of creepy, but everyone was laughing between the gasps and groans).

If you think you're going to see anything in this film about another actual culture, you're mistaken. Like all the Roads, this one gives a bizarre Hollywood version of some exotic destination or two. From Edith Head's oulandish costumes to Australians talking like Kansas farmers, Road to Bali is no National Geographic special.

Lamour gets to sing a cute song twice, (and she is shown singing and swimming in one memorable scene) but otherwise her role seems shorter than ever, which is kind of a shame. But there are many other pretty girls to ogle at, and some wacked-out dance numbers. Actually, it has all the ingredients of a cult hit! (So, actually, if you like weird movies, this is the best Road movie to include in your collection).

Not the best comedic writing of the Road movies, but still full of nuttiness & fun. Plenty of laughs over dumb gags, wiseacre bantering, and dimwit jokes. Good physical comedy, mugging at camera, silliness. Definitely displays American culture most of all!! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Surrealism, songs, slapstick- a fantastically funny flick!
Classic 1946 comedy "Road to Utopia", the 4th in the "Road" series, starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. After their Morocco jaunt in 1942, Crosby, Hope and Lamour spent four years making their separate successes, before rejoining to go back in time on an anachronistic Alaskan adventure in "Road to Utopia", a film that was nominated for a "Best Original Screenplay" Oscar and which is even crazier than its predecessor, with a talking fish taking over from Morocco's comical camel, the addition of narrator Robert Benchley and an ending so outrageous it's a wonder they managed to sneak it past the censor! The Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Huesen score includes "Put it There, Pal", "Good Time Charlie" and "Personality". Surrealism, songs, slapstick- a fantastically funny flick and an essential for fans of Hope, Crosby, Lamour or crazy comedy in general. An American classic!

Who'd Be Selling Fish At This Hour?
This is hardly an original insight, but anyone who dismisses Bob Hope as the tiresome, unfunny comic from those dreadful 1960s 'comedies' he appeared in is missing out on a real national treasure - his films up to around 1952 are hysterically funny, and his ROAD entries with cohorts Crosby and Lamour are among the best of 'em. Hope, along with the brilliant Preston Sturges, had restored Paramount to the comedy throne they'd occupied in the early 30s; from the lavish budget and attention to period detail throughout UTOPIA, it's obvious that the studio was not ungrateful. For my money, ROAD TO UTOPIA is the funniest film he ever made (though there are half-a-dozen others close on its heels). As in all ROAD movies, the engine powering the vehicle was the lightning-quick banter between the two leads; Crosby smooth as snake-oil, Hope perpetually suspicious and cowardly. And with excellent reason - no straight man ever victimized a foil the way Bing routinely does to Bob. ROAD movies always threaded their satires of B-movie plots (this one spoofing Robert W Service-style frozen-North melodrama) with plenty of topical humor, much of it capitalizing on the fans' awareness of the stars' personal foibles (Crosby's rivalry with Sinatra, his investments in thoroughbreds, Hope's disastrous box-office returns in LET'S FACE IT), and there's a goodly amount of what's now referred to as 'breaking the fourth wall' (they talk directly to the audience at varying points). What elevates UTOPIA just over the others is the sky-high breezy confidence of everyone involved this go-around. The cast and crew, coming off ROAD TO MOROCCO, were on a roll and knew it, and they ride that momentum for all it's worth (Hope's constant kibitzing is particularly hilarious). Der Bingle gets to groan a couple of subpar songs (as opposed to MOROCCO's highlights - 'Ho Hum' and 'Moonlight Becomes You' - this outing's 'It's Anybody's Spring' and 'Welcome To My Dream' are instantly forgettable) but the team's 'Put It There, Pal' is infectious fun and Miss Lamour's 'Personality' is sexy and sprightly. A further note on Lamour - she's luxuriously beautiful here, an ice-cream sundae with curves (why she's never ranked with the decade's top screen sirens is unfathomable: she's every bit the looker that Lake, Grable, Hayworth & Sheridan were, and a better singer besides). My apologies for not quoting any of the zingers from the script, but there are just too many of them to play favorites with. ROAD TO UTOPIA is well worth the effort it'll take you to track down; get cracking.

This Utopia is a road to laughs!!
My teenaged son loves classic movies, and he's a huge fan of all the Bob Hope/Bing Crosby "Road" pictures. This is his favorite one, and I can see why. There's a chuckle a minute on this "Road to Utopia," as well as some enjoyable songs by Crosby, Hope and Dorothy Lamour.

...I would agree that there are some memorable one liners in this "Road" picture, but you really have to see and hear them in context.

This is a good one, just for laughs. Corny, but fun!

Hope and Crosby excel in one of the best of the Road series
Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour made seven "Road" films in total and all were great entertainment and worth seeing (except perhaps for their last one "The Road to Hong Kong" (1962) which was something of a disappointment and not up to the standards of the earlier films). However, "Road to Utopia" in my opinion was one of the best and has not become dated over the years. The film is very fast moving with gag following gag, talking animals, Bob Hope's remarks to the camera, and even has comedian Robert Benchley interrupting proceedings to give a running commentary on the film as it progresses! Dorothy Lamour provides the glamour and adds a song or two.

Duke Johnson (Bing Crosby) and Chester Hooton (Bob Hope) are struggling entertainers down on their luck who travel to Alaska. Killers Sperry and McGurk steal a vital map showing the location of a gold mine. Our two heroes manage to obtain the map and decide to impersonate Sperry and McGurk which leads them into more trouble than they could have imagined. Along the way they meet saloon singer Sal Van Hoyden (Dorothy Lamour) and as usual both men compete for her charms. With the real Sperry and McGurk hot on their trail plus other assorted villains after them Hope and Crosby get into many tight corners but they still find time for some great songs along the way including "Put It There Pal" which is a typical Hope-Crosby number.

Some favourite lines from the film:

Bob Hope (to Bing Crosby): "I didn't think there was one more way to get the cops after us but you found it!".

Hope (to Crosby): "Next time I'll bring Sinatra". (When Crosby loses a talent contest on board ship).

Hope (to Crosby): "It may be a mountain to you but it's bread and butter to me!".

Hope (to Douglass Dumbrille): "I'll take a lemonade .... in a dirty glass".

I have always been a big fan of Bob Hope and as a young schoolboy and then later as a teenager I used to wait eagerly with anticipation for each new Bob Hope picture to arrive at our local cinema. They didn't always come up to expectations but if it was a "Road" film then I was pretty sure that it would be O.K. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby were two of the biggest stars to come out of Hollywood in the 30's and 40's and although the "Road" films never won any "Oscars" they certainly brought an enormous amount of pleasure to a lot of people during that time and can still be enjoyed today. Clive Roberts.

Second best Road movie
"Road to Utopia" is nearly as good as "Road to Morocco" which is generally considered the classic of all seven Road movies. The interplay between Hope and Crosby is truly hilarious here and anyone who thinks Hope had no comedic timing needs to see this film. In addition, Bing Crosby was a "straight man" of considerable talent. Bob Hope is particularly hilarious here, as he gives a performance that is even more impromptu and loose than usual. The chemistry between he and Bing was never shown to better advantage, their screen chemistry is palpable. My favorite scene is when the duo swaggers into a tough Alaskan bar and Bob struggles to appear macho in the midst of all these tough guys. Finally he orders lemonade, which makes everyone at the bar snicker and hoot. Then Bob immediately adds in a deep, snarling voice... "in a dirty glass!" You have to see this to appreciate it, but it really is funny.

The only negative about the film is the gratuitous appearence of Robert Benchley as a sometime commentator. His remarks aren't funny and distract the viewer. Otherwise, this is a very funny movie and a joy to watch. The ending is one that slipped by the Hayes office, keep your eyes peeled. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Bali who?
What a delightful Road DVD. Although the only extra is a Bio on Bob Hope, overall it is well worth the money. The color is great and the sound is acceptable(only ocassional fluctuation in level). The sets and costumes really add to this movie. Undoubtly they made them more colorful since this was the only road movie made in color. What a pity. This certainly follows the tradition of the others and Hope, Crosby, and Lamour look great. From stage performers to deep sea divers they sing and dance their way into your heart. If you only buy one road movie then be sure it is this one since it is great and the color will appeal to a younger audience as well. A movie that the whole family will find amusing jokes or site gags.

A Good Road Movie,A Great DVD
From 1940 to 1962, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made seven riotous road movies, and "The Road To Bali" is the sixth in the series. Even though Bing and Bob were both 49 years old, and Dorothy Lamour was 38 when the movie was made, for the most part they walk sprightly down this road. This movie also marks the only road movie made in color, and there are guest stars galore in this film like:Bob Crosby,Humphrey Bogart, and Jane Rusell among others. As usual, the story deals with some kinf of treasures and bad guys, and of course Bob does not get the girl. However, the jokes and laughs are almost as funny today as they were almost fifty years ago.

This DVD edition is of pretty good quality even though it is a bargain issue. The added enjoyment is the short "The Road To Hollywood" which features shorts from Bing Crosby's early days with Mack Sennett (around the 1929 to 1931 period). Even though these shorts are prehistoric, the quality is as good as I have seen them. It is also great to see the young Bing Crosby emerge as a young superstar. So, I do recommend this DVD issue, because with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope they will have you on the road to laughter...

Good but not the best of the road series.
I really love Bob Hope but this was not one of his best. Funny yes but look at the younger Hope movies and you will agree that he has better timeing and hummor in the thirties and fourties. I loved son of Pale face not a road move but a real funny one and lemon drop kid also. I'm not convinced that just because this movie was in color that it appeals to a younger crowd. My kids liked the BW ones much better.

Not the Best Introduction to the "Road" Movies
I have never seen one of the Hope/Crosby road movies so I picked up this DVD when I saw it on sale. I was not very impressed. I could see the format that I had heard of; the Crosby/Hope act, the songs, Dorothy Lamour, various hijinks, the patty-cake game, someone gets the girl, etc. However, the humor seemed weak in this movie. The songs were bland, the suggestion that we were in Bali was really stretching the mind's capacity. I was, to put it bluntly, disappointed with "The Road to Bali". I have seen Hope in other movies where I could appreciate his gift for smart aleck humor. His style is there in this movie as well. He just wasn't given much to work with. I'll check out some other road pictures. I assume that this one was the exception.

Not the Best of the Roads, but Full of Engagingly Silly Fun
Bali was a good thematic backdrop for the first color Road movie, and there are a number of special effects to enjoy (actually one of 'em is kind of creepy, but everyone was laughing between the gasps and groans).

If you think you're going to see anything in this film about another actual culture, you're mistaken. Like all the Roads, this one gives a bizarre Hollywood version of some exotic destination or two. From Edith Head's oulandish costumes to Australians talking like Kansas farmers, Road to Bali is no National Geographic special.

Lamour gets to sing a cute song twice, (and she is shown singing and swimming in one memorable scene) but otherwise her role seems shorter than ever, which is kind of a shame. But there are many other pretty girls to ogle at, and some wacked-out dance numbers. Actually, it has all the ingredients of a cult hit! (So, actually, if you like weird movies, this is the best Road movie to include in your collection).

Not the best comedic writing of the Road movies, but still full of nuttiness & fun. Plenty of laughs over dumb gags, wiseacre bantering, and dimwit jokes. Good physical comedy, mugging at camera, silliness. Definitely displays American culture most of all!! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Bali who?
What a delightful Road DVD. Although the only extra is a Bio on Bob Hope, overall it is well worth the money. The color is great and the sound is acceptable(only ocassional fluctuation in level). The sets and costumes really add to this movie. Undoubtly they made them more colorful since this was the only road movie made in color. What a pity. This certainly follows the tradition of the others and Hope, Crosby, and Lamour look great. From stage performers to deep sea divers they sing and dance their way into your heart. If you only buy one road movie then be sure it is this one since it is great and the color will appeal to a younger audience as well. A movie that the whole family will find amusing jokes or site gags.

A Good Road Movie,A Great DVD
From 1940 to 1962, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made seven riotous road movies, and "The Road To Bali" is the sixth in the series. Even though Bing and Bob were both 49 years old, and Dorothy Lamour was 38 when the movie was made, for the most part they walk sprightly down this road. This movie also marks the only road movie made in color, and there are guest stars galore in this film like:Bob Crosby,Humphrey Bogart, and Jane Rusell among others. As usual, the story deals with some kinf of treasures and bad guys, and of course Bob does not get the girl. However, the jokes and laughs are almost as funny today as they were almost fifty years ago.

This DVD edition is of pretty good quality even though it is a bargain issue. The added enjoyment is the short "The Road To Hollywood" which features shorts from Bing Crosby's early days with Mack Sennett (around the 1929 to 1931 period). Even though these shorts are prehistoric, the quality is as good as I have seen them. It is also great to see the young Bing Crosby emerge as a young superstar. So, I do recommend this DVD issue, because with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope they will have you on the road to laughter...

Good but not the best of the road series.
I really love Bob Hope but this was not one of his best. Funny yes but look at the younger Hope movies and you will agree that he has better timeing and hummor in the thirties and fourties. I loved son of Pale face not a road move but a real funny one and lemon drop kid also. I'm not convinced that just because this movie was in color that it appeals to a younger crowd. My kids liked the BW ones much better.

Not the Best Introduction to the "Road" Movies
I have never seen one of the Hope/Crosby road movies so I picked up this DVD when I saw it on sale. I was not very impressed. I could see the format that I had heard of; the Crosby/Hope act, the songs, Dorothy Lamour, various hijinks, the patty-cake game, someone gets the girl, etc. However, the humor seemed weak in this movie. The songs were bland, the suggestion that we were in Bali was really stretching the mind's capacity. I was, to put it bluntly, disappointed with "The Road to Bali". I have seen Hope in other movies where I could appreciate his gift for smart aleck humor. His style is there in this movie as well. He just wasn't given much to work with. I'll check out some other road pictures. I assume that this one was the exception.

Not the Best of the Roads, but Full of Engagingly Silly Fun
Bali was a good thematic backdrop for the first color Road movie, and there are a number of special effects to enjoy (actually one of 'em is kind of creepy, but everyone was laughing between the gasps and groans).

If you think you're going to see anything in this film about another actual culture, you're mistaken. Like all the Roads, this one gives a bizarre Hollywood version of some exotic destination or two. From Edith Head's oulandish costumes to Australians talking like Kansas farmers, Road to Bali is no National Geographic special.

Lamour gets to sing a cute song twice, (and she is shown singing and swimming in one memorable scene) but otherwise her role seems shorter than ever, which is kind of a shame. But there are many other pretty girls to ogle at, and some wacked-out dance numbers. Actually, it has all the ingredients of a cult hit! (So, actually, if you like weird movies, this is the best Road movie to include in your collection).

Not the best comedic writing of the Road movies, but still full of nuttiness & fun. Plenty of laughs over dumb gags, wiseacre bantering, and dimwit jokes. Good physical comedy, mugging at camera, silliness. Definitely displays American culture most of all!! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

At War With The Army
Hollywood Classics Collection DVD
1950 Black & White with a running time of 92 min.
Directed by Hal Walker
Starring Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin and introducing Polly Bergen
The transfer from VHS to DVD was done well. The picture quality and sound are very good.
In this film Martin and Lewis are starting out their career together. Martin plays a Sergeant that has girl troubles and Lewis plays a bumbling Private First Class. They find out that the Army isn't so accommondating to their wants or desires. Martin's singing in this film reminds us of how remarkable and charming he was. The antics Lewis performs shows us his talent of mockery and silliness. The best scenes of this film are when Lewis is dressed as a woman singing a love song to a drunk soldier and Lewis' battle with the soda machine. This film is a good family film but probably wouldn't keep the attention of the younger generations. However, for our generation, it is a nice look back at the beginning career of Martin and Lewis.

THE NAVY GETS THE GRAVY WHILE THE ARMY GETS THE BEANS
My mom bought me At War With The Army and THE MARTIN&LEWIS show from when they appeared on the Colgate Comedy Hour and I thought that this movie would be good like their other movies but mine had tracking I had to fix all through the movie-and it screwed up two times!

This movie was boring-all it had was people running around-and the plot didnt even go nowhere-if there was a plot!

And what was up with Jerry wearing that dress?
that part was dumb!

A WINNER...
This one was a nice surprise. I had already seen the movie, and had enjoyed it, but didn't know what to expect from this DVD. Face it, Madacy dosen't rank too high with collectors as far as picture quality goes! But here they surprise me with a print thats scratched, but extremely clear. And a bonus of newsreel footage from the year in excellent condition, as well as a blooper reel (not from "Army")? Things are looking up here, and at six bucks and change, some value as well! Fans should seek this one out.

It's worth watching, but...
I have to admit I was a little disappointed in this movie but considering it was a first it wasn't a bad attempt. We did get a few laughs, but not as many as I had hoped for.

All three of my children are die-hard old comedy movie buffs and this one only held the attention of the oldest (14-year-old). The other two drifted off to more interesting activities.

I'll definately watch it again but it'll never rank in my top favorites I'm sorry to say.

great fun for the whole family
I have loved Lewis and Martin since I was a child and now I share the fun with my children. My 5 year old loves the hilarious stunts Lewis does and the soda machine scene must be rewound and played over and over. He has tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. I highly recommend for the family. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Bali who?
What a delightful Road DVD. Although the only extra is a Bio on Bob Hope, overall it is well worth the money. The color is great and the sound is acceptable(only ocassional fluctuation in level). The sets and costumes really add to this movie. Undoubtly they made them more colorful since this was the only road movie made in color. What a pity. This certainly follows the tradition of the others and Hope, Crosby, and Lamour look great. From stage performers to deep sea divers they sing and dance their way into your heart. If you only buy one road movie then be sure it is this one since it is great and the color will appeal to a younger audience as well. A movie that the whole family will find amusing jokes or site gags.

A Good Road Movie,A Great DVD
From 1940 to 1962, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made seven riotous road movies, and "The Road To Bali" is the sixth in the series. Even though Bing and Bob were both 49 years old, and Dorothy Lamour was 38 when the movie was made, for the most part they walk sprightly down this road. This movie also marks the only road movie made in color, and there are guest stars galore in this film like:Bob Crosby,Humphrey Bogart, and Jane Rusell among others. As usual, the story deals with some kinf of treasures and bad guys, and of course Bob does not get the girl. However, the jokes and laughs are almost as funny today as they were almost fifty years ago.

This DVD edition is of pretty good quality even though it is a bargain issue. The added enjoyment is the short "The Road To Hollywood" which features shorts from Bing Crosby's early days with Mack Sennett (around the 1929 to 1931 period). Even though these shorts are prehistoric, the quality is as good as I have seen them. It is also great to see the young Bing Crosby emerge as a young superstar. So, I do recommend this DVD issue, because with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope they will have you on the road to laughter...

Good but not the best of the road series.
I really love Bob Hope but this was not one of his best. Funny yes but look at the younger Hope movies and you will agree that he has better timeing and hummor in the thirties and fourties. I loved son of Pale face not a road move but a real funny one and lemon drop kid also. I'm not convinced that just because this movie was in color that it appeals to a younger crowd. My kids liked the BW ones much better.

Not the Best Introduction to the "Road" Movies
I have never seen one of the Hope/Crosby road movies so I picked up this DVD when I saw it on sale. I was not very impressed. I could see the format that I had heard of; the Crosby/Hope act, the songs, Dorothy Lamour, various hijinks, the patty-cake game, someone gets the girl, etc. However, the humor seemed weak in this movie. The songs were bland, the suggestion that we were in Bali was really stretching the mind's capacity. I was, to put it bluntly, disappointed with "The Road to Bali". I have seen Hope in other movies where I could appreciate his gift for smart aleck humor. His style is there in this movie as well. He just wasn't given much to work with. I'll check out some other road pictures. I assume that this one was the exception.

Not the Best of the Roads, but Full of Engagingly Silly Fun
Bali was a good thematic backdrop for the first color Road movie, and there are a number of special effects to enjoy (actually one of 'em is kind of creepy, but everyone was laughing between the gasps and groans).

If you think you're going to see anything in this film about another actual culture, you're mistaken. Like all the Roads, this one gives a bizarre Hollywood version of some exotic destination or two. From Edith Head's oulandish costumes to Australians talking like Kansas farmers, Road to Bali is no National Geographic special.

Lamour gets to sing a cute song twice, (and she is shown singing and swimming in one memorable scene) but otherwise her role seems shorter than ever, which is kind of a shame. But there are many other pretty girls to ogle at, and some wacked-out dance numbers. Actually, it has all the ingredients of a cult hit! (So, actually, if you like weird movies, this is the best Road movie to include in your collection).

Not the best comedic writing of the Road movies, but still full of nuttiness & fun. Plenty of laughs over dumb gags, wiseacre bantering, and dimwit jokes. Good physical comedy, mugging at camera, silliness. Definitely displays American culture most of all!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Pure.. Plain... Fun!
This review refers to the Platinum Disc Corp DVD edition of "Road to Bali".......

Hope and Crosby..., I could just leave this review at that, their names say it all! But okay, I will fill you in on this little treasure and the DVD quality.This is the 6th in the road series films made by our boys. This one made in 1953 is in technicolor and looks great!

Bob and Bing are traveling the high seas in this one. They're on the run from Australia, where a pair of irate fathers are after them with shotguns, oops make that boomerangs,to make them keep their promises of marriage to the daughters.The chase is on and they guys wind up taking a job as deep sea divers, hired by some royal islanders.Once there they only have to deal with a giant squid, poison darts, and an evil prince in their escapades. Naturally they both fall for the same girl, the beautiful princess LaLa played by the Dorothy Lamour, their cohort in the other road movies as well.

The one liners are never ending and will keep you chuckling even though it may seem a little silly at times. No matter though. They cleverly talk to the camera and there is the added pleasure of spying lots of famous faces (in cameos) throughout the film.And let's not forget all the wonderful song and dance routines we are always lucky to see with these guys!

I just had to check this DVD out, as the price was right and I love the old comedies. I'm glad I did. The film really looks good on this one. The technicolor is vivid and the picture is clear and sharp. The sound in Dolby Digital(mono) is good.Platinum has made a nice transfer..but..the case needs a little work..it fell apart(but still okay to keep the DVD in it). Don't look for any extras, just 90 minutes of fun with Bob, Bing and Dorothy!

After the view you'll still be smiling and saying.."thanks for the memories.."....Have fun...Laurie ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Bali who?
What a delightful Road DVD. Although the only extra is a Bio on Bob Hope, overall it is well worth the money. The color is great and the sound is acceptable(only ocassional fluctuation in level). The sets and costumes really add to this movie. Undoubtly they made them more colorful since this was the only road movie made in color. What a pity. This certainly follows the tradition of the others and Hope, Crosby, and Lamour look great. From stage performers to deep sea divers they sing and dance their way into your heart. If you only buy one road movie then be sure it is this one since it is great and the color will appeal to a younger audience as well. A movie that the whole family will find amusing jokes or site gags.

A Good Road Movie,A Great DVD
From 1940 to 1962, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made seven riotous road movies, and "The Road To Bali" is the sixth in the series. Even though Bing and Bob were both 49 years old, and Dorothy Lamour was 38 when the movie was made, for the most part they walk sprightly down this road. This movie also marks the only road movie made in color, and there are guest stars galore in this film like:Bob Crosby,Humphrey Bogart, and Jane Rusell among others. As usual, the story deals with some kinf of treasures and bad guys, and of course Bob does not get the girl. However, the jokes and laughs are almost as funny today as they were almost fifty years ago.

This DVD edition is of pretty good quality even though it is a bargain issue. The added enjoyment is the short "The Road To Hollywood" which features shorts from Bing Crosby's early days with Mack Sennett (around the 1929 to 1931 period). Even though these shorts are prehistoric, the quality is as good as I have seen them. It is also great to see the young Bing Crosby emerge as a young superstar. So, I do recommend this DVD issue, because with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope they will have you on the road to laughter...

Good but not the best of the road series.
I really love Bob Hope but this was not one of his best. Funny yes but look at the younger Hope movies and you will agree that he has better timeing and hummor in the thirties and fourties. I loved son of Pale face not a road move but a real funny one and lemon drop kid also. I'm not convinced that just because this movie was in color that it appeals to a younger crowd. My kids liked the BW ones much better.

Not the Best Introduction to the "Road" Movies
I have never seen one of the Hope/Crosby road movies so I picked up this DVD when I saw it on sale. I was not very impressed. I could see the format that I had heard of; the Crosby/Hope act, the songs, Dorothy Lamour, various hijinks, the patty-cake game, someone gets the girl, etc. However, the humor seemed weak in this movie. The songs were bland, the suggestion that we were in Bali was really stretching the mind's capacity. I was, to put it bluntly, disappointed with "The Road to Bali". I have seen Hope in other movies where I could appreciate his gift for smart aleck humor. His style is there in this movie as well. He just wasn't given much to work with. I'll check out some other road pictures. I assume that this one was the exception.

Not the Best of the Roads, but Full of Engagingly Silly Fun
Bali was a good thematic backdrop for the first color Road movie, and there are a number of special effects to enjoy (actually one of 'em is kind of creepy, but everyone was laughing between the gasps and groans).

If you think you're going to see anything in this film about another actual culture, you're mistaken. Like all the Roads, this one gives a bizarre Hollywood version of some exotic destination or two. From Edith Head's oulandish costumes to Australians talking like Kansas farmers, Road to Bali is no National Geographic special.

Lamour gets to sing a cute song twice, (and she is shown singing and swimming in one memorable scene) but otherwise her role seems shorter than ever, which is kind of a shame. But there are many other pretty girls to ogle at, and some wacked-out dance numbers. Actually, it has all the ingredients of a cult hit! (So, actually, if you like weird movies, this is the best Road movie to include in your collection).

Not the best comedic writing of the Road movies, but still full of nuttiness & fun. Plenty of laughs over dumb gags, wiseacre bantering, and dimwit jokes. Good physical comedy, mugging at camera, silliness. Definitely displays American culture most of all!! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

At War With The Army
Hollywood Classics Collection DVD
1950 Black & White with a running time of 92 min.
Directed by Hal Walker
Starring Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin and introducing Polly Bergen
The transfer from VHS to DVD was done well. The picture quality and sound are very good.
In this film Martin and Lewis are starting out their career together. Martin plays a Sergeant that has girl troubles and Lewis plays a bumbling Private First Class. They find out that the Army isn't so accommondating to their wants or desires. Martin's singing in this film reminds us of how remarkable and charming he was. The antics Lewis performs shows us his talent of mockery and silliness. The best scenes of this film are when Lewis is dressed as a woman singing a love song to a drunk soldier and Lewis' battle with the soda machine. This film is a good family film but probably wouldn't keep the attention of the younger generations. However, for our generation, it is a nice look back at the beginning career of Martin and Lewis.

THE NAVY GETS THE GRAVY WHILE THE ARMY GETS THE BEANS
My mom bought me At War With The Army and THE MARTIN&LEWIS show from when they appeared on the Colgate Comedy Hour and I thought that this movie would be good like their other movies but mine had tracking I had to fix all through the movie-and it screwed up two times!

This movie was boring-all it had was people running around-and the plot didnt even go nowhere-if there was a plot!

And what was up with Jerry wearing that dress?
that part was dumb!

A WINNER...
This one was a nice surprise. I had already seen the movie, and had enjoyed it, but didn't know what to expect from this DVD. Face it, Madacy dosen't rank too high with collectors as far as picture quality goes! But here they surprise me with a print thats scratched, but extremely clear. And a bonus of newsreel footage from the year in excellent condition, as well as a blooper reel (not from "Army")? Things are looking up here, and at six bucks and change, some value as well! Fans should seek this one out.

It's worth watching, but...
I have to admit I was a little disappointed in this movie but considering it was a first it wasn't a bad attempt. We did get a few laughs, but not as many as I had hoped for.

All three of my children are die-hard old comedy movie buffs and this one only held the attention of the oldest (14-year-old). The other two drifted off to more interesting activities.

I'll definately watch it again but it'll never rank in my top favorites I'm sorry to say.

great fun for the whole family
I have loved Lewis and Martin since I was a child and now I share the fun with my children. My 5 year old loves the hilarious stunts Lewis does and the soda machine scene must be rewound and played over and over. He has tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. I highly recommend for the family. ... Read more