Bob Hope was practically a king of all media in the time period of Where There's Life. The comedian/actor conquered live stage, radio, film, books, and television. Paramount's harmless Where There's Life isn't the best one could hope for on celluloid, but nostalgia-minded fans could say thanks for the memories anyhow—despite the antics unfolding under director Sidney Lanfield.
The opening is promising. The King of Barovia falls to an assassin's bullet, on the eve of overseeing peaceful elections. On his sickbed, the stricken Graustarkian monarch reveals he fathered a secret heir to the throne, in America (of course there was a secret wedding too, appeasing the era's censors). The unknowing prince has grown up to be Michael Valentine, a fast-talking NYC radio star about to marry his sweetheart (Vera Marshe) as part of a publicity campaign to hype his dog-food-company sponsor. That's really all the character development; he's just basically Bob Hope spouting Bob Hope-style gags nonstop.
Diplomats from Barovia force Michael to miss the ceremony to get him across the Atlantic for a coronation, but the efforts are foiled by persistent assassins from an exiled anti-royal secret society. It is a disappointment that action never leaves a studio-backlot Manhattan. Misunderstandings are compounded by the alluring Barovian lady general; Swedish actress Signe Hasso was Paramount's attempt at a new Greta Garbo, and indeed there's an echo of Ninotchka in her turn.
William Bendix, as a boorish Irish cop with a personal grudge against Valentine, also has funny bits, but many punchlines rely on contemporary catchphrases (and, typically, a snide Hope line aimed at Bing Crosby). By the finale, one suspects everybody just wanted to wrap the picture and hit the golf links.
The only extra in Kino Lorber's disc is a veritable hope chest of vintage trailers from the star's other Paramount vehicles of yesteryear. A strong optional purchase for library shelves favoring classic Hollywood and golden-oldies.
Discover more titles for your film collection in our list of comedy movies.