The Paleface

The Paleface


Paramount, 1948, Color, 80 minutes, ***½

Released December, 1948



Bob Hope is a daffy dentist and a shaky gun; Jane Russell is the gorgeous gunslinger Calamity Jane, and together they tame the Wild West with laughter in one of Bob's best comedies. Features the Oscar-winning song "Buttons and Bows".



 It's a barrage of corny one-liners, slapstick and funny escapades that never lets up. A high-paced comedy that makes you sure that half of it is going in one ear and out the other. The movie features the wonderful "Buttons and Bows", sung by Bob Hope to Jane Russell. The song was later made popular by Dinah Shore. Don't miss this one!



Produced by: Robert L. Welch

Directed by: Norman Z. McLeod

Assistant Director: Alvin Ganzer

Original Screenplay by: Edmund Hartmann and Frank Tashlin

Additional Dialogue by: Jack Rose

Editor: Ellsworth Hoagland

Music Score: Victor Young

Songs by: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

Dances Staged by: Billy Daniel

Art Direction: Hans Dreier and Earl Hedrick

Set Decoration: Sam Comer and Bertram Granger

Costumes: Mary Kay Dodson

Men's Wardrobe: Gile Steele

Makeup Supervision: Wally Westmore

Sound Recording: Gene Merritt and John Cope

Director of Photography: Ray Rennahan

Special Photographic Effects: Gordon Jennings

Process Photography: Farciot Edouart

Color by Technicolor

Technicolor Color Director: Natalie Kalmus

Associate: Monroe W. Burbank

Edited by: Ellsworth Hoagland



Awards: Academy Award for Best Song ("Buttons and Bows")



Cast: Bob Hope ["Painless" Peter Potter], Jane Russell [Calamity Jane], Robert Armstrong [Terris], Iris Adrian [Pepper], Robert Watson [Toby Preston], Jack Searl [Jasper Martin], Joseph Vitale [Indian Scout], Charles Trowbridge [Governor Johnson], Clem Bevans [Hank Billings], Jeff York [Joe], Stanley Andrews [Commissioner Emerson], Wade Crosby [Jeb], Chief Yowlachie [Chief Yellow Feather], Iron Eyes Cody [Chief Iron Eyes], John Maxwell [Village Gossip], Tom Kennedy [Bartender], Henry Brandon [Wapato, the Medicine Man], Francis J. McDonald [Lance], Frank Hagney [Greg], Skelton Knaggs [Pete], Olin Howlin [Undertaker], George Chandler [First Patient], Nestor Paiva [Second Patient], Additional Cast: Earle Hodgins [Clem], Arthur Space [Zach], Edgar Dearing [Sheriff], Dorothy Granger [Bath House Attendant], Charles Cooley [Mr. "X"], Eric Alden [Bob], Babe London [Woman on Wagon Train], Loyal Underwood [Bearded Character], Billy Engle, Houseley Stevenson, Al Hill [Pioneers], Margaret Field, Laura Corbay [Guests], Duke York, Ethan Laidlaw [Henchmen], John "Skins" Miller [Bellhop], Wally Boyle [Hotel Clerk], Stanley Blystone, Bob Kortman [Onlookers], Lane Chandler [Tough-Looking Galoot], Oliver Blake [Westerner], Trevor Bardette, Alan Bridge, Carl Andre, Ted Mapes, Kermit Maynard [Horsemen], Dick Elliott [Mayor], Betty Hannon, Charmienne Harker, Dee La Nore, Maria Tavares, Marilyn Gladstone, June Glory [B-Girls], Harry Harvey, Paul E. Burns [Justices of the Peace], Jody Gilbert [Woman in Bath House], Hall Bartlett [Handsome Cowboy], Syd Saylor [Cowboy], Sharon McManus [Child]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture: "Buttons and Bows" (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:26] Buttons and Bows (sung by Bob Hope); [0:41] Get a Man (sung and danced by Chorus Girls in The Dirty Shame Saloon); [0:52] Meetcha 'Round the Corner (sung by Iris Adrian in The Dirty Shame Saloon, then danced by Iris and Bob Hope)