Road to Rio

Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made seven Road comedies with Dorothy Lamour, with the two men acting as partners who traveled the world (all the films were titled "Road to" whatever destination) and competed for the attentions of Lamour's character. In their fifth film, Road to Rio (1947), Crosby is Scat Sweeney and Hope is Hot Lips Barton, vaudeville performers who flee their latest job at a carnival (after setting the place on fire) and stow away on an ocean liner bound for Brazil, where Sweeney falls for a beautiful heiress (Lamour) who has been hypnotized by her guardian (Gale Sondergaard). It's a hokey plot that serves as a framework on which to hang a series of musical numbers and comedy bits. Crosby is the hopeless romantic determined to be the chivalrous hero and Hope is the wiseacre coward who is constantly dragged into trouble. Bing and Bob do a song and dance, Bing sings with The Andrew Sisters, and Hope breaks the fourth wall with wisecracks and self-aware commentary. Ultimately, the chemistry of the star trio, absurdity of the gags, and entertaining musical numbers will please fans. Recommended. [Note: Crosby and Hope's 1952 Road to Bali is also newly available on Blu-ray.] (S. Axmaker)