Road to Singapore

Road to Singapore

Paramount, 1940, B/W, 84 minutes, ***

Released March, 1940



At first planned as a vehicle for Fred MacMurray and Jack Oakie, this light-hearted adventure featured the first screen pairing of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, and the result was movie history. The two are Americans bumming their way around the world who settle down in Asia and almost immediately begin feuding for the hand of Dorothy Lamour. With Anthony Quinn and Charles Coburn.



Produced by: Harlan Thompson

Directed by: Victor Schertzinger

Screen Play by: Don Hartman and Frank Butler

Based on a Story by Harry Hervey

Musical Direction by: Victor Young

Songs: "Too Romantic," "Sweet Potato Piper," "Kaigoon" Lyrics by Johnny Burke, Music by James V. Monaco; "The Moon and the Willow Tree," "Captain Custard" Lyrics by Johnny Burke, Music by Victor Schertzinger

Dances Staged by: LeRoy Prinz

Art Direction: Hans Dreier, Robert Odell

Interior Decorations by: A. E. Freudeman

Costumes: Edith Head

Sound Recording by: Earl Hayman and John Cope

Special Effects: Farciot Edouart

Director of Photography: William C. Mellor

Process Photography by: Farciot Edouart

Editor: Paul Weatherwax



Cast: Bing Crosby [Josh Mallon], Dorothy Lamour [Mima], Bob Hope [Ace Lannigan], Charles Coburn [Joshua Mallon IV], Judith Barrett [Gloria Wycott], Anthony Quinn [Caesar], Jerry Colonna [Achilles Bombanassa], Johnny Arthur [Timothy Willow], Pierre Watkin [Morgan Wycott], Gaylord "Steve" Pendleton [Gordon Wycott], Miles Mander [Sir Malcolm Drake], Pedro Regas [Zato], Greta Granstedt [Babe], Edward Gargan [Bill], Don Brodie [Fred], John Kelly [Sailor], Kitty Kelly [Sailor's Wife], Roger Gray [Father], Harry C. Bradley [Secretary], Richard Keene [Cameraman], Gloria Franklin [Ninky Poo], Carmen D'Antonio [Dancing Girl], Monte Blue [High Priest], Cyril Ring [Ship's Officer], Helen Lynd [Society Girl], Paula DeCardo [Native Dancing Girl], Benny Inocencio [Native Boy], Jack Pepper [Columnist], Arthur Q. Bryan [Bartender], Robert Emmett O'Connor [Immigration Officer], Belle Mitchell [Shopkeeper], Fred Malatesta, Robert St. Angelo [Native Policemen], Marguerita Padula [Proprietress], Bobby Barber [Dumb-Looking Little Man], Claire James [Girl at Party], Grace Hayle [Chaperone], Richard Tucker [Ship's Officer], Elvia Allman [Homely Girl]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:14] Captain Custard (sung by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby); [0:22] Whip dance (performed by Dorothy Lamour and Anthony Quinn); [0:28] The Moon and the Willow Tree (sung by Dorothy Lamour); [0:35] Sweet Potato Piper (sung by Bing Crosby, danced by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope); [0:41] Carry Me Back to Old Virginny (comical rendition sung by Jerry Colonna); [0:54] Too Romantic (sung by Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour); [1:03] Kaigoon (production number sung and danced by Chorus); [1:16] Too Romantic (sung by Bing Crosby)