Road to Morocco

Plot synopsis:
The film opens with a freighter at sea exploding and news announcements. The cause of the explosion is a mystery, with all crew accounted for with the exception of two unidentified stowaways.
Jeff Peters (Bing Crosby) and Orville 'Turkey' Jackson (Bob Hope) are seen floating at sea aboard a pile of wreckage. It was Jeff's idea to stow away, but it was Orville 'smoking in the powder room' that caused the explosion. As the two joke about eating one another to survive, they spot land in the distance.
As they sit on the beach, Orville reminds Jeff of his promise to Aunt Lucy, to take care of him. Jeff reminds him that Aunt Lucy died before he could agree. They are interrupted by a convenient camel, and they hitch a ride.
Once in the city, they are nearly run over by Arabs shooting guns, led by the sheik Mullay Kasim (Anthony Quinn). Jeff and Orville learn the sheik is pursuing a princess for marriage. Orville is approached by a group of bearers carrying someone in a veiled box. A beautiful hand takes his and then leaves, with Orville in pure bliss. In a restaurant, Jeff and Orville eat heartily, while trying to figure out how to get past the knife-wielding owner without paying. A man (Dan Seymour) takes Jeff aside and hands over a great deal of money. Orville is happy to be able to pay for the meal, until he learns that Jeff 'sold' him. Orville is furious, especially since neither of them know why the man bought him. Jeff calms him down and tells Orville he'll buy him back, eventually; and two men throw a hood over Orville and carry him off.
A week later, Jeff is woken by a vision of Aunt Lucy (played by a harp-wielding Bob Hope) who shames him for his act. Jeff says he tried to buy Orville back, but learned he was re-sold to someone else. Aunt Lucy tells him he has to find Orville, and recommends singing Orville's favorite song.
Jeff walks through the street singing, (accompanied by Aunt Lucy's ghost) until a note, with Orville's locket is tossed at him from the palace window. The note, written by Orville, says he's being tortured and warns Jeff of danger. Jeff, thinking Orville is in trouble, scales the palace wall. Hearing a woman singing, Jeff sneaks into the palace and see a lot of beautiful girls dancing for the beautiful Princess Shalmar (Dorothy Lamour) and singing to a very relaxed Orville.
Jeff storms in and is grabbed by guards. Orville feigns ignorance and tries to send him away. The princess dismisses everyone, except for Jeff. Orville admits the truth, but it's clear he's still mad at Jeff. He says he and the princess are to be married. Jeff is surprised, but the princess says her wise man read the stars and told her to marry Orville. She was the one that passed Orville in the veiled box, and also the one that purchased him. As she plants a passionate kiss on Orville, Jeff decides to stick around; a decision that almost brings him and Orville to blows, but the princess invites Jeff to stay.
As Orville is waited on by beautiful girls, he learns from one of them, Mihirmah, the princess was supposed to marry Kasim, but also tells Orville she loves him too. Jeff breaks up the party and confronts Orville, who has Jeff thrown out.
Jeff wanders the palace singing, an act that attracts the princess and they go on a moonlit walk. Mihirmah tries to get Orville to run away with her. Jeff tries to tell the princess that HE was the one sold and should be marrying her, but he is interrupted by a sword-wielding Orville.
The next morning an angry Kasim confronts Princess Shalmar for marrying someone else. He is prepared to kill Orville but the princess takes him to the wise man Hyder Kahn. Hyder Khan said he had read the stars and found that Princess Shalmar's first husband is destined to die a violent death within a week of the marriage, and the second husband would be blessed with long life and happiness. The princess tells Kasim that Orville is the first husband, and when he dies, she'll happily marry Kasim and they will live in happiness. Kasim finally understands and embraces the princess.
Orville finds out about the prophecy and runs to Jeff and convinces him that the princess actually loves him and he's going to run off with Mihirmah. Later that night, Orville is visited and shamed by Aunt Lucy's spirit, but Orville refuses to tell Jeff the truth. Meanwhile, the wise man realizes that he had been misreading the stars due to fireflies in his telescope; his prophecies are incorrect.
Princess Shalmar refuses to marry Jeff, even though Orville is eager to get out of the marriage. The princess sends Orville away to get ready for the wedding. The wise man runs in and tells the princess and Jeff of the incorrect prophecy. The princess is happy and tells Jeff now she can marry him and not Kasim. Jeff realizes why Orville was so eager to get out of the marriage, but decides not to tell him. Instead he says the princess changed her mind, and Orville is only too eager to accept. Meanwhile, the wise man's assistant tells Kasim, who rallies his men.
The Princess and Jeff decide to get married in the U. S., accompanied by Orville and Mihirmah but they are confronted by Kasim, who takes the princess and gives Mihirmah to one of his men. Jeff and Orville try to use their 'patty-cake' routine on Kasim, but it backfires. They escape into the palace with the girls but are found and captured.
Kasim takes the women and strands Jeff and Orville in the desert. They wander aimlessly, seeing a drive-in restaurant, but it's a mirage. They see a vision of a singing Princess Shalmar, which spurs them onward. They find an oasis which is near Kasim's camp. They try to sneak in, but are captured. They see another set of horsemen and learn it is an enemy sheik who was invited as a token of peace. They manage to escape and set the two sheiks against each other. In the chaos Jeff and Orville grab the girls and escape.
Later, on a boat home, Orville sneaks into the powder room for a cigarette. There is an explosion and then we see all four afloat a pile of wreckage. Fortunately, they are near New York harbor.

Tags: prank

Review:
More of a "big budget home movie" than anything else, but funny and enjoyable anyhow.By the Time "Morocco" was created, the Road Pictures had been embraced and enjoyed and the formula was set in stone: An exotic locale, Dorothy Lamour, a couple of songs and go easy on the script because Bob and Bing are gonna "jab-lib" their way through it regardless.
Don't let the current climate of "Islam/Arab/Terrorism" mindset disturb you about the on screen antics because this was filmed in a different era and has nothing to do with the goings on in our world today.Bing gets a chance to croon the very lovely Moonlight Becomes You, which to this day is still one of the most touching love songs ever written; Bob gets to do his "screen persona schtick" and it is hilarious; Dorothy has a forgettable song and a funny reprise of Moonlight Becomes You, sung in the desert accompanied by the boys and it is extremely funny.
This comedy is very funny; yes, it's pretty lightweight, but what did you expect?I like all the "Road to" pictures, but this is the best that I've seen.
The Road to Morocco is the best of Crosby/Hope road movies, in my humble opinion.
Much of the comedy is slapstick, but this is a movie that's not afraid to say "It's just a movie, don't take it seriously." In the first song, Crosby and Hope allude to it being just another road movie.
The script is pure escapist, light-hearted stuff and everyone seems to enjoy the tongue in cheek style of all the gags.Bing is his usual affable self, tossing off a few songs in the Crosby manner--the best of which is "Moonlight Becomes You".
Bob Hope shines in a part totally suited to his comic skills with one-liners and double takes that keep the high spirits flowing.If you're a fan of ROAD movies, you'll definitely enjoy this one--although my own personal favorite is still ROAD TO UTOPIA..
With Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour all in good form, plus an interesting if wacky story, "Road to Morocco" is rather enjoyable despite the goofy nature of a lot of the material.
There are several self-referential jokes (perhaps a couple too many) to make sure nothing is taken too seriously.Besides Hope and Crosby, Lamour seems to relish her chance to play a princess, and Anthony Quinn is a suitably menacing adversary.
The love interest is OK but really it slows the film down a bit.Crosby is good as ever and gets to do his songs on a regular basis, but really the star is Hope.
Stars in the shape of Lamour and Quinn are diverting  but this is a Crosby/Hope vehicle all the way.One of the better Road movies this is funny in an old fashioned way..
You can't go into a viewing of any Hope and Crosby picture expecting a strong story or plot,nor should you expect the acting to be great.Bob Hope's true strength was stand up comedy,not acting,and I think he knew that.That's why we only saw him in roles where he could be pretty much rely on his stand up skills.Bing Crosby,on the other hand,had a knack for acting even though he was primarily a singer.In fact,his knack won him an Oscar two years after he did this film,so you know he took it seriously.Since Hope's acting skills were not strong,I thing that Bing saw these films they did together as a chance to relax and have a little fun,and to take a break from the seriousness of the acting profession.Despite their contrasting talents,there is no denying the great chemistry that existed between the pair,which makes Road to Morocco fun to watch.Also,if I may add,Dorothy Lamour and Dona Drake are also fun to watch,but for a different reason.I suppose that's just the typical male in me talking.
Easily the best Hope and Crosby film, "Road to Morocco" provides more laughs than most films I have seen.
Most of the comedy in this film comes, naturally, from Bob Hope's superb comic delivery and amazing sense of humor.
In just about every scene there is something very funny to laugh at, from Crosby's dream seeing Hope dressed as his aunt to the talking camel, it's all just hysterical.
Few comedies ever made, especially those from more recent years, can measure up to the greatness and hilarious nature of "Road to Morocco." Perhaps not absolutely perfect, as far as film-making goes, but very enjoyable and very, very funny.***1/2 out of ****.
Extremely funny third "Road" movie starring Hope, Crosby and Lamour, possibly the best in the series.
Dorothy Lamour looks suitably exotic and has no problem yet again convincing the viewer of her ability to bewitch her usual three men, Hope Crosby and Anthony Quinn, all as usual.
While Bob, unsurprisingly loses Dorothy once again to Bing he surprisingly this time gets a girl of his own by the finish.The songs are fine too ("Ho-Hum", "Constantly", "Moonlight Becomes You" and the jokey title song) and are much better woven into the flow of the film than on previous journeys.All in all, one of the funniest comedies from Hollywood's Golden Age, it quite rightly cemented the reputation of the "Road" franchise and kept the threesome on their travels for a road or two yet..
It's amazing to me that Dorothy Lamour could keep a straight face during the shenanigans of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope while filming.
Apparently she had a great time with them, which is no surprise.The boys wind up in Morocco in this film, and as usual, Bing's character can't wait to throw poor Bob under the bus - or, in this case, caravan.
As usual, Dorothy falls for Bing.People might think I'm crazy, but I just love the '40s Bob Hope.
The 3rd of the 7 Road movies, and imho the best with a lovely romantic musical comedy adventure atmosphere with witty dialogue that by now I know by heart, good songs, and a fine production all round.
ROAD TO MOROCCO (Paramount, 1942), directed by David Butler, the third installment of the seven journeys made by the famous trio of Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, finds them in their wildest adventure of them all.
Capitalizing on the current trend of "Arabian Nights" fantasies as Alexander Korda's THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (United Artists, 1940), featuring Sabu, and ARABIAN NIGHTS (Universal, 1942) that paved the way for a series of similar adventures teaming Maria Montez and Jon Hall, ROAD TO MOROCCO makes every attempt in spoofing every one of them, especially itself, and getting away with it in the process.The story gets right down to basics with the explosion of an ocean freighter which finds all passengers safely accounted for with the exception of two unidentified stowaways, Jeffrey Peters (Bing Crosby) and Orville "Turkey" Jackson (Bob Hope), seen floating together in the Mediterranean on a raft.
Anthony Quinn, who co-starred in the initial film, ROAD TO SINGAPORE (1940), returns once more adding to some hilarity as the villainous sheik who falls victim to Crosby and Hope's antics.
In tradition to the "Road" series with its selection of comedy routines, song interludes are worked well into the script, composed by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen, including: "The Road to Morocco" (sung by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope); "Ain't Got a Dime to My Name (Ho Hum)" (sung by Bing Crosby); "Constantly" (sung by Dorothy Lamour); "Moonlight Becomes You" (sung by Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour); and "Moonlight Becomes You" (reprised).
Hope and Crosby clown around as they each sing the title song, throwing some in-jokes in the process, one of them being, "I lay you eight to five that we'll meet Dorothy Lamour," while Crosby and Lamour take part in what's to become the film's best song, "Moonlight Becomes You," later to be spoofed by the three principal players singing in each other's voices in the soundtrack.
If that isn't silly enough, this bona-fide "Road" comedy also consists of talking camels ("This is the screwiest picture I've ever been in" says one, while the other talking like Katharine Hepburn); the traditional Hope and Crosby "paddy cake" routine; as well as Hope's attempt in an Academy Award nomination with his hysterical "No food, no water" outbursts.
With a handful from outrageous to awfully silly and outdated routines thrown in this escapist comedy adventure, ROAD TO MOROCCO, which improves over its predecessor of ROAD TO ZANZIBAR (1941), earned two Academy Award nominations, for Best Screenplay and Best Sound Recording, but none for Bob as hoped.
Aside from this being the best known and most revived in the series, ROAD TO MOROCCO proved so popular that it's been listed as one of the top 100 best comedies by the American Film Institute.
What can I say anyway except pick up the best moments and throw them in the reviews like readers' baits?David Butler's "Road to Morocco" is just one big gag after another, the whole thing wrapped up is the endearingly love-and-hate complicity between Bob Hope and Bing Crosby (and Dorothy Lamour as the love and laughs interest).
Jeff (Crosby) doesn't hesitate to sell his old friend to pay for a restaurant, before being summoned by the ghost of Aunt Lucy (an unmistakable Bob Hope) who promise to haunt him if he doesn't help his friend and leaves because "here comes Mr. Jordan".Everything is an excuse for a throwaway joke, even the lamest one and I like that.
The third "Road" film has Hope and Crosby lost at sea and winding up in Morocco as prospective grooms for princess Lamour, unaware that she's to be widowed a week after the wedding.
There's even a talking camel worried about his film career, commenting "this is the screwiest picture I was ever in." Of course there are musical interludes, including the funny title song.
Hope and Crosby wash ashore and kick off on the road to Morocco in a fairly entertaining first 20 minutes or so.
Paramount never was after winning awards with their road pictures but one wishes Hope and Crosby would have been given a more polished - and longer - script in which to do their thing.
In fact, its special effects were quite ahead of its time as well (some of them quite fun to watch, especially the "voice swap" version of Moonlight Becomes You).Having already seen Bing Crosby in a number of great films, including Holiday Inn (1942) and Going My Way (1944), the latter of which won Best Picture and garnered Crosby a Best Actor Oscar, I already knew his propensity for great dramatic acting.
. ." series), because this one was certainly great.Occasionally "self aware", but filled with plenty of verbal and situational comedy, I give Road to Morocco 4.5 stars out of 5..
The long series Road to...of the duo comic Bob Hope & Bing Crosby are really priceless movies ever made on the 40', now in Morocco they always try mislead each other telling a lies compusively, betraying all the time, anyway they are really cheaters, also there are a endless bittersweet jokes in every lines along the movie, in a no stoping laughing process, the songs already dated today are pleasant for Crosby's fans only, Could be shot in color, will be more suitable such delightful scenes, the relaxed, easy-going atmosphere made everyone plentiful confortable, still a fine and meaningful entertainment almost 80 years ahead, sadly few Bob Hope's DVD come out officially here in Brazil, this one l'd recorded on TCM with original dubbed version!!Resume:First watch: 2010 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD-R / Rating: 7.5.
This is one of the best of the "Road to" pictures that features the wonderful tune "Moonlight Becomes You," sung, of course, by crooner Crosby..
The best thing about watching it is that like Bing and Bob, we are all just along for the ride.
Two carefree castaways on a desert shore find an Arabian Nights city, where they compete for the luscious Princess Shalmar.Bosley Crowther liked it: "Let us be thankful that Paramount is still blessed with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, and that it has set its cameras to tailing these two irrepressible wags on another fantastic excursion, Road to Morocco, which came to the Paramount yesterday.
For the screen, under present circumstances, can hold no more diverting lure than the prospect of Hope and Crosby ambling, as they have done before, through an utterly slaphappy picture, picking up Dorothy Lamour along the way and tossing acid wisecracks at each other without a thought for reason or sense...The short of it is that Road to Morocco is a daffy, laugh-drafting film.
I can't say I'm a big Bob Hope fan, but I love Bing Crosby, and together they make quite a pair.
I'll give it a two because it has a lot of music, otherwise it would be a one.I saw this movie for the first time tonight and it's the first "Road" picture I've seen.
On the third stop in the Road series of pictures we find Bing Crosby and Bob Hope playing their usual sharpie and schnook.
No worry there however, he sings a patented Crosby love ballad and Dottie the princess is his.Musically, Road pictures seem to break down into the usual choice of songs for the film.
That ballad Crosby sang to woo Princess Dottie is Moonlight Becomes You, probably the biggest song hit ever to come from a Road picture.
And finally the title tune which is one for Hope and Crosby to perform with their usual ad-libbing and banter.When Decca released an album of 78s for the Road to Morocco, Bing recorded all the numbers solo including the duet with Hope in the title tune.
The Hope and Crosby Road pictures were very popular in the 1940s and "The Road to Morocco," the third in the series, shows them at about their best.
Morocco contains arguably the most durable of them all in Moonlight Becomes You but also yields a ballad for Lamour, Constantly, the upbeat Crosby solo Ho Hum and the great title song performed as a duet.
What a pal!However Crosby realises he has sold himself a little short when he discovers Hope is actually been sold to the sultry and delicious Princess Shalmar played as always by Road To..
regular Dorothy Lamour and she intends to marry him.Throw in a jealous, throat-slitting sheik played by Anthony Quinn, a few talking animals, a magic ring with three wishes, mirages, tribal wars and a bevvy of songs and it all adds up to the most outrageous Road adventure yet.The humour in this movie was very anarchic for its day, with Hope for the first time breaking down the fourth wall and talking direct to the audience for a few of his one liners.
In fact with the possible exception of Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson's 'Helzapoppin' the previous year, the comedy barriers had rarely been pushed out so far.Also the songs are in a higher league with 'Moonlight Becomes You' providing Bing with one of the biggest hits of his career, and Dorothy Lamour brings us 'Constantly', a beautiful romantic ballad, the words of which must have seemed so poignant for those women with loved ones overseas fighting the war.Check out this film, Not only is it arguably the best in the series but as a stand alone film in its own right, they seldom come better than this..
Any movie that has a pair of camels discussing the foolishness of humans, with the female camel speaking in a Katherine Hepburn accent, is obviously not taking itself too seriously.Crosby comes off as more of a bad hat than usual, since he actually sells Bob Hope into slavery temporarily, but it isn't long before the boys are fighting over the affections of a lovely Princess, and things are back to normal.I saw this film for the first time in the late Seventies at college, and a group of Arab exchange students from Kuwait were highly amused at the chase scene through the harem, with Anthony Quinn apparently speaking genuine Arabic to his henchmen, interspersed with English dialog.
They took it in good humor, recognizing the unreal, deliberately absurd nature of the story, especially in a picture that was thirty odd years old at the time.Personally, I think there are funnier movies in the Road series, but Road to Morocco is pretty amusing if you appreciate the unique Hope and Crosby style of casual ad lib humor; not to mention the stunning beauty and comedic gifts of Dorothy Lamour,.
If you can't, you've never seen a Road show.The picture isn't much more than a showcase for Crosby and Hope to fire off their one-liners and get in a few decidedly successful song numbers, but it's the type of film I always enjoy watching for sheer entertainment value.
When Bing sprinkles some ground up tobacco leaves onto a display an Arab is selling, Hope quips - "Hey, whattya doin', makin' reefers?" Man, if I had this on DVD, I'd still be replaying that scene.As for Lamour, this might be the best she's looked in a film I've seen her in to date.
***SPOILERS***   ***SPOILERS*** A must see film is Road to morocco, Bing and Bob do a great job.
Spoiler (this movie is about Two friends and there adventure in morocco Bing sells Bob to a man.
It was reprised in the second half, with stars Crosby, Bob Hope , and Dorothy Lamour, taking turns singing parts of it.
Bing and Hope had an early duet while on camels : "We're off on the Road to Morocco".
Other than that, I thought that this was a very hilarious film.I didn't want to watch any Road pictures.
In this-the third Road movie starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour-the series reaches its peak what with one camel spitting in Hope's eye, a few more talking with animated mouths, and an all-out chase involving various noises and explosions!