Road to Morocco (1942)

Hollywood once depicted Arabs as a bunch of nomadic, tent-dwelling cut throats or greasily cunning conmen out to rip off tourists in bazaars. On TV in the 1970's, they became respected oil sheiks who walked out of negotiations with the western world with confident smiles born of their new-found power and wealth. Perhaps they had just watched "The Road to Morocco" and were musing upon how the wheel of fortune had turned in their favour. The depiction of the women of the Middle East has also made a U-turn. They were once exotic bellydancing nyphs, now a set of black mailboxes. Arab leaders like Mullay Kasim as played by Anthony Quinn looked a bit dangerous but were easily outwitted by Bing and Bob. Mullay confronts the pair with: "Do you dare oppose the will of Mullay Kasim?" to which Bing's character replies:"Oppose it! I'll have you writing one." Today's Arab leaders have at worst been transformed into evil fanatics to be feared and hated and at best to be shifty and potentially treacherous."The Road to Morocco" is fun and makes fun of all stereotypes and customs - east and west. Bing selling Bob into slavery could be seen as a comment on the rapaciousness of capitalism or just another bit of outrageous fun. The best thing about watching it is that like Bing and Bob, we are all just along for the ride. Their "Road" characters are comic existentialists of the highest order - they appear from nowhere, live in the moment and fade out in a finale that underscores the fact that it has all just been a film. I know that the world has serious problems but it doesn't do us any harm to remember that like Bob and Bing, we need to get as much as we can out of our adventure while we can. It's also good to be able to share it with a friend. Thanks go to my dad who went through The Great Depression and fought in WW2 and who introduced me to the "Road" movies.

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. This time, Bing gets money to pay a restaurant bill by selling Bob into slavery. It turns out Bob is to be the groom of the glamorous Lamour. He's having a blast, though he writes to Bing that he's being tortured daily. As usual, Dorothy falls for Bing.People might think I'm crazy, but I just love the '40s Bob Hope. He was adorable and very funny. Crosby gets to sing the beautiful "Moonlight Becomes You," an added bonus.The stories are always the same, set in different locales, and they're always funny. Just two guys ad-libbing and goofing around. Hope plays his own aunt, an apparition. Enjoy.

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. Bing Crosby also proves to be more than just a great singer. He can be a great actor and comedian as well. The material may be too over-the-top for some, such as Hope, Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour all singing synchronized to each others' voices. The film is just full of humor and does not greatly lack any fun or hilarious moments. 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 ****

This is a typical ROAD movie with the boys chasing Lamour as the audience waits to see who Dotty will wind up with. 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". Dorothy Lamour is at her peak of lush beauty as the princess and manages to keep a straight face while the boys cut capers. 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.