Bing Crosby and Bob Hope embarked on their second “Road” picture in “Road to Zanzibar.” Hoping to repeat the stunning success of 1940’s “Road to Singapore,” the winsome duo were once again joined by co-star Dorothy Lamour, director Victor Schertzinger (“Something to Sing About” 1937), and screenwriters Frank Butler and Don Hartman.
Director Schertzinger no doubt presided over some controlled mayhem and madness as much of the dialogue in the “Road” pictures was improvised. Hilarity must have reigned on the set as much as on screen. Actress Una Merkel, whose distinguished film career ran from 1924 to 1966, was in the cast along with Eric Blore, Douglas Dumbrille, Iris Adrian, Lionel Royce, Buck Woods, Leigh Whipper, Ernest Whitman, Noble Johnson, Luis Alberni, Robert Middlemass, Charles Gemora, and Joan Marsh as a helper in the human cannonball act. You must view the movie to see this.
The wonderful music of Bing Crosby was another factor in the success of this Paramount Pictures release, produced by Paul Jones. Songs like “You Lucky People, You,” “Birds of a Feather,” “It’s Always You,” and “African Etude” were composed by Johnny Burke (lyrics) and Jimmy Van Heusen (music). Lamour performed their song “You’re Dangerous” in the very watchable “Road to Zanzibar,” the 8th top grossing motion picture of 1941.
Road to Zanzibar (1941)
cinema
My Review
Bing Crosby and Bob Hope embarked on their second “Road” picture in “Road to Zanzibar.” Hoping to repeat the stunning success of 1940’s “Road to Singapore,” the winsome duo were once again joined by co-star Dorothy Lamour, director Victor Schertzinger (“Something to Sing About” 1937), and screenwriters Frank Butler and Don Hartman.
Director Schertzinger no doubt presided over some controlled mayhem and madness as much of the dialogue in the “Road” pictures was improvised. Hilarity must have reigned on the set as much as on screen. Actress Una Merkel, whose distinguished film career ran from 1924 to 1966, was in the cast along with Eric Blore, Douglas Dumbrille, Iris Adrian, Lionel Royce, Buck Woods, Leigh Whipper, Ernest Whitman, Noble Johnson, Luis Alberni, Robert Middlemass, Charles Gemora, and Joan Marsh as a helper in the human cannonball act. You must view the movie to see this.
The wonderful music of Bing Crosby was another factor in the success of this Paramount Pictures release, produced by Paul Jones. Songs like “You Lucky People, You,” “Birds of a Feather,” “It’s Always You,” and “African Etude” were composed by Johnny Burke (lyrics) and Jimmy Van Heusen (music). Lamour performed their song “You’re Dangerous” in the very watchable “Road to Zanzibar,” the 8th top grossing motion picture of 1941.