Road to Utopia

Road to Utopia

Paramount, 1946, B/W, 90 minutes, ***

Premiere release February, 1946

General release March, 1946



Hope and Crosby lead the rush for gold and laughs in the fourth "Road" howler, playing song-and-dance men searching for a lost mine in the Alaskan wilderness. Perennial co-star Dorothy Lamour joins the boys, along with Douglass Dumbrille and narrator Robert Benchley; look for a cameo by Jim Thorpe.



Produced by: Paul Jones

Directed by: Hal Walker

Original Screenplay by: Norman Panama and Melvin Frank

Musical Numbers Conducted by: Robert Emmett Dolan

Music Score: Leigh Harline

Vocal Arrangements: Joseph J. Lilley

Songs: Lyrics by Johnny Burke, Music by James Van Heusen

Dances Staged by: Danny Dare

Art Direction: Hans Dreier and Roland Anderson

Set Decoration: George Sawley

Costumes: Edith Head

Sound Recording by: Hugo Grenzbach and Philip Wisdom

Director of Photography: Lionel Lindon

Special Photographic Effects: Farciot Edouart

Process Photography: Farciot Edouart

Animations: Jerry Fairbanks

Editorial Supervision: Stuart Gilmore



Awards: Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay (Norman Panama and Melvin Frank)



Cast: Bing Crosby [Duke Johnson / Junior Hooton], Bob Hope [Chester Hooton], Dorothy Lamour [Sal Van Hoyden], Hillary Brooke [Kate], Douglas Dumbrille [Ace Larson], Jack LaRue [LeBec], Robert Barrat [Sperry], Nestor Paiva [McGurk], Additional Cast: Robert Benchley [Narrator], Will Wright [Mr. Latimer], Jimmie Dundee [Ringleader of Henchmen], Jim Thorpe [Passenger], Billy Benedict [Newsboy], Art Foster [Husky Sailor], Arthur Loft [Purser], Stanley Andrews [Official at Boat], Alan Bridge [Boat Captain], Lee Shumway, Al Ferguson [Policemen], Romaine Callender [Top Hat], George Anderson [Townsman], Edgar Dearing, Charles Wilson [Official Cosp], Brandon Hurst, Donald Gallaher, Bud Harrison [Men at Zambini's], Edward Emerson [Master of Ceremonies], Ronnie Rondell [Hotel Manager], Allen Pomeroy, Jack Stoney [Henchmen], Frank Moran, Bobby Barber, Pat West [Bartenders], Larry Daniels [Ringleader], Ferdinand Munier [Santa Claus], Ethan Laidlaw [Saloon Extra], James Lono [Eskimo], Charles Gemora [Bear], Paul "Tiny" Newlan [Tough Ship's Purser], Claire James [Girl], Maxine Fife [Girl], Jack Rutherford [Man], Al Hill [Man], George McKay [Waiter]



Musical Program: [0:03] Sunday, Monday, or Always (excerpt sung by Bing Crosby in the background); [0:07] Good Time Charlie (vaudeville routine sung and danced by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope); [0:23] It's Anybody's Spring (sung by Bing Crosby with Bob Hope on Accordion [onscreen]); [0:36] Personality (sung by Dorothy Lamour); [0:44] Welcome to My Dream (sung by Bing Crosby to Dorothy Lamour); [0:49] Put It There Pal (sung by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope on dog sled); [0:58] Would You (sung by Dorothy Lamour to Bob Hope); [1:04] Welcome to My Dreams (sung Bing Crosby)