Son of Paleface (1952) User Reviews

Another Trip West for Old Scoop Nose

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 3 July 2006]

Federal Agent Roy Rogers is on the trail of a mysterious bandit known as The Torch and little does he suspect at first that The Torch is that powerful piece of pulchritude, Jane Russell.

Of course gumming up his investigation is tenderfoot Bob Hope, who is the son of famous frontier scout Paleface Potter. Hope's not inherited much from his father's side. Therein lies a lot of the comedy in Son of Paleface.

The original Paleface film had the Academy Award winning song Buttons and Bows. This one has a whole load of musical numbers in it, better to utilize the talents of the three stars. One of them, Am I in Love was nominated for the Academy Award that year, but lost to Three Coins in the Fountain.

Best scenes in Son of Paleface involve the smartest horse in the west, Trigger, constantly outsmarting Hope. Well if Bing Crosby could constantly do it in every Road picture.................

Where I Hail From, We Don't Cotton To Folks What Cotton To Other Folks' Gals That Don't Cotton To Folks That Cotton To Them !

[ShootingShark · 6/10 · 5 June 2010]

Newly graduated from Harvard, Junior Potter heads west to the frontier town of Sawbuck Pass to claim an inheritance from his late pappy, the legendary Paleface. But when he gets there he finds there's no money, the townsfolk are revolting, the Indians are after his scalp and a local outlaw, The Torch, has taken a special interest in him …

I'm not that much of a fan of Hope's work, but this is the exception - a very funny, very enjoyable, good natured slapstick western with gags aplenty and a great trio of leads. I enjoy westerns very much but not being American I often find all that frontier swagger a bit comical. My favourite Hollywood western is Blazing Saddles, and in many senses this is a forerunner to it; it takes every cliché and runs with them, it reverses all the roles (the hero is a dope and the villain is a girl), it has some terrific numbers (Buttons And Bows and Am I In Love are especially good) and never takes anything seriously for a moment. Hope is sensational, his Ivy League witticisms choking on the tumbleweeds, constantly spouting a stream of ridiculous dialogue - I particularly like, "Ah didn't aim to be late but ah was busy. Ah was sashaying mah mavericks and rounding mah stray buckboards till ah was plum hornswoggled. By the time ah got to mah car some plum had done swoggled mah horn.". Russell gives what for money is possibly the sexiest / funniest performance of the fifties - she's so hot you need to take a shower afterwards - and she's such a great sport, dancing, singing, firing in punchlines, and stealing every scene she's in. Rogers is also terrific, smiling and straight faced, keeping the story moving along pleasantly and an admirable foil to the lunacy; a real old-time cowboy from a gentler age of cinema. These three between them are a wonderful team and all their scenes together just sparkle. The other star of course is Trigger, Rogers' famous brown palomino, and his theme song Four Legged Friend comes from this movie. This was a sequel to 1948's also very entertaining The Paleface (where Russell plays Calamity Jane), and Hope followed it with another good comedy western, 1959's Alias Jesse James. Written by Tashlin, Robert L. Welch and Joseph Quillan, and featuring a rather nifty gag involving Cecil B. DeMille.

"Out of my way, I'm a Harvard man!"

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 8 September 2008]

What a great team-up - my favorite 'B' Western movie cowboy, Roy Rogers, getting together with probably my favorite all time humanitarian, Bob Hope. Adding Jane Russell to the mix was just the icing on the cake for this zany and off beat comedy Western. And before I forget, this has GOT to be Trigger's finest performance, always billed as 'The Smartest Horse in the Movies' - but here he does it all. He dances, runs up and down stairs, and even gets to do a bedroom scene with Bob Hope. Wait a minute, that didn't really come out right, but yes, it WAS a bedroom scene, and it was just hilarious. Can't give it away though, you'll just have to watch it for yourself.

You really have to keep an eye on Roy every time he has an encounter with Junior Potter. It looks like he doesn't really know how to take him, so just kind of grins and goes along with the master. Case in point, the saloon scene when Roy sets his guitar up on the bar; Hope's rejoinder - "Aren't you glad you wrote that letter to Santa?" You know, I had a Roy Rogers guitar once, maybe even got it from Santa.

The story itself is probably secondary to all those great Hope quips and one liners. His scenes with Jane Russell sizzle in a way only Hope could provide, and I get just the biggest kick out of his brand of humor. I could never miss one of his TV Christmas specials entertaining U.S. Troops around the world; even now I think back on those shows with great fondness.

The bonus here of course is that the film was done in color, and the newly restored print on the five DVD, ten film 'Legends of Hollywood' set looks just great. So you have all those colorful outfits on Roy looking splendid, and Russell looking especially sexy in her singing number at the Dirty Shame Saloon. Even with the all black outfit, she cuts quite an impressive sight as the story's lead villain. And you couldn't help but laugh every time Bob came out in that over the top floor length coat with the huge 'H' on it. It might have stood for 'Harvard', but in one of those great coincidences where fact and legend collide, it could just as well have stood for Hope!

Good Fun With Good Friends

[Snow Leopard · 24 February 2005]

The original "Paleface" feature was pretty good, but this sequel is actually better, in large part due to the addition of Roy Rogers and Trigger. Rogers and Bob Hope are two of the most likable performers that the movies have seen, and together they seem like old friends who have stopped by for an enjoyable visit. Jane Russell is also back from the original movie, though in a different role.

The story is good fun as long as you don't take it seriously. It's actually rather well-written, in that it accommodates all three stars with material well-suited for them. Hope gets plenty of one-liners and similar gags, and he pulls off even the goofiest of them with energy and aplomb. Rogers gets the chance to do some singing and to have some action sequences, and Trigger gets several good moments. Russell is given a character that allows her to stay within the role of the tough, glowering beauty.

There are enough connections to the first movie to add to the enjoyment if you have seen it, but "Son of Paleface" could also easily stand on its own, and in fact overall it probably is actually a little bit better.

Hilarious following in which Bob Hope shows his particular talent as a botcher cowboy

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 8 July 2013]

Agreeable comedy/musical/western with genuine and sympathetic characters , it is plenty of humor , tongue-in-cheek , bemusing gags , entertainment and amusement . One of Bob Hope's best , full of cartoon like gags , unheralded comedy classic . Hope as Harvard-educated son of the original role heading off in the Old West to claim an inheritance . He plays Junior Potter, who returns to claim his father's gold , which is nowhere to be found . As a cowardly Hope becomes a gunslinging hero when ¨The Torch¨ starts aiming for him . There he unwittingly takes on bad guys as Bill Williams . Along the way he meets a beauty Jane Russell as "Mike", who is actually ¨The Torch¨, Wanted : Dead or alive , 20.000 reward ; the luscious head of a band of thieves, and Roy Rogers as an undercover government agent hot on her trail .

A rip-roaring Western/comedy as the conventions of the Wild West are turned upside down . This funny picture is a gag feast , plenty of humor , diverting situations and absurd sketches in Leslie Nielsen style . Amusing and spasmodic comedy with the genius comic Bob Hope acting in his stereotyped role by relinquishing creative control and concentrating on humor based on destruction and wreak havoc , nice inventive bits , skilfully combining the entertainment with the amusement . Bob runs away with every cowboy cliché and even arranges to wind up with the girl . Gorgeous as well sultry Jane Russell who ropes the nervous Hope into marriage for the sake of her job . Bob Hope offered the role of Mike to Maureen O'Hara but she turned it down ; O'Hara loved the script but was going through an unhappy period in her marriage and felt that she would not be able to be funny in the film . Important appearance by Roy Rogers as a federal marshal and , of course , likable Trigger that holds the best scenes on bed with Hope . It includes a lot of songs such as ¨There's a cloud in my Valley of Sunshine¨, ¨Four legged-friend¨ and the Oscar-winning song ¨Buttons and bows¨, reprised from the original movie . The first movie titled ¨Paleface¨ was directed by Norman Z MacLeod starred by Hope as a bungler dentist , Jane Russel as Calamity Jane and Robert Armstrong , its sequel ¨Son of Paleface¨ results to be as good as the original . Remade in 1968 as ¨The shakiest gun in the West¨ , a fun good time directed by Alan Rafkin with Don Knotts and Jackie Coogan .

The motion picture was well directed by Frank Tashlin , one of the few directors to successfully make the transition from animation to live-action , as he directed his cartoons like live-action films and his live-action films like cartoons . Frank Tashlin wanted to direct this film because he disliked Norman Z. McLeod's direction of ¨Paleface¨ for which he wrote the script . Director Frank Tashlin introduces cinematic especial techniques in animated cartoon style , such as odd camera angles , montage and quickly paced editing , as some shots lasting only five frames long . He directed various vehicles for Jerry Lewis as ¨The Geisha boy¨, ¨Hollywood or Bust¨ , ¨Rock-a-Bye Baby¨ , ¨Cinderella¨ and for Bob Hope as ¨Paleface¨ , ¨The son of Paleface¨ . Both of them are considered to be two of his best films . Rating : 6,5 . Entertaining and amusing movie that it will appeal to Bob Hope fans . Worthwhile watching .

funny

[willrams · 7/10 · 20 August 2003]

Bob Hope plays Potter, returning to claim his father's gold, but it can't be found. Mike, played by Jane Russell, is a leader of a gang of thieves, and Roy Rogers as a federal marshal hot on the trail of thieves. It is very funny and lots of gimmicks, and the musical numbers are very good. I never realized that Roy Rogers had such a good singing voice. Jane Russell and Bob Hope do their own songs which are enjoyable, but not as memorable as "Buttons & Bows" from the original. One of the funniest scenes is with Trigger, Roy Roger's horse sleeping with Hope. 7/10

Perfect mixture of Hope comedy and Western movie nostalgia

[taillefer · 10/10 · 18 March 2001]

This is one of Hope's best movies. Along with its precursor, PALEFACE, it would make a great part of a double feature...an evening in front of your vcr or dvd. Russell's affectionate/condescension towards Hope works like a charm. The presence of Roy Rogers in this film is a stroke of genius. He plays a perfect lampoon of his own screen image here...and it may very well be his only film appearance in a movie not strictly in the Western genre (you could argue that DARK COMMAND was not only a Western, but a civil war film, but it hardly matters). Roy has a perfect sense for his part of the chemistry of the film and he plays it to the hilt...which is so much fun to see. It was one of the last movies Roy made (as he was now focused on becoming a TV cowboy star), and (with his entire film career supporting this appearance) watching him onscreen here not only makes you laugh, but tugs at your heartstrings as well. This makes SON OF PALEFACE a special movie on many levels. My favorite scenes: Hope trying to impress Russell in the saloon in the beginning; Roy Rogers on Trigger to the rescue as Hope's jeep runs amuck without a wheel; any scene where Trigger is bothering Hope.

Not quite as good as the original, but still well worth seeing.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 7 August 2010]

Note: The DVD for this film has no closed captions nor captioning as an option. Fortunately, the sound and picture quality are very good.

This film is a sequel to the 1948 Bob Hope/Jane Russell film "The Paleface"--a very enjoyable comedy. This time, Hope plays the son of the man he played in the first film, 'Painless' Potter the dentist. The film begins with Junior graduating from Harvard (as perhaps their oldest senior in school history) and coming West. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that his father has left a ton of debts and the townsfolk are more than willing to hang him if he doesn't pay them out of his inheritance--but there is no apparent inheritance. So, Junior pretends there is--stalling for time and hoping to figure a way out of this mess.

At the same tie, there is a completely anachronistic plot involving 'the Torch'--a female bandit (Russell) who leads a gang of gold thieves. Unbeknownst to her, the hero (Roy Rogers) has been sent undercover to try to discover her whereabouts and bring her to justice. Eventually these plots all come together, as the Torch hears of Junior's gold and wants it for herself.

Along the way, there is a lot of singing and laughs. As in the original film, you'll hear the pleasant and mega-hit "Buttons & Bows" (with some new lyrics by Hope) as well as several other tunes that generally don't get in the way of the plot and are pretty enjoyable. A few times, however, there seemed to be perhaps one or two songs too many and it got in the way of the comedy on occasion. As for the laughs, they are there but a bit broad compared to the original, but Trigger was actually a nice addition to the film--and often got the most laughs! And, overall, it's a lot of fun and a worthy follow-up film.

Hope--"What's the matter--don't you like girls?"

Rogers--"I'll stick to horses, Mister."

No cliché is left unturned in masterful showcase for Hope's talent.

[hitchcockthelegend · 10/10 · 4 March 2008]

For me this is one of the rare occasions where a sequel trumps the first and previous instalment, comedy as we all know his very varied and we all see different things that make us laugh, and until now I have only given the highest rating I can to a handful of comedies, but this film is just flawless comedic entertainment to me, a laugh riot indeed.

Here Bob Hope plays the son of Painless Peter Potter from the first film, and the plot involves him going West to claim his Fathers inheritance. Naturally he gets involved in a number of shenanigans that sees him being hounded by the whole town for his Fathers debts. He gets embroiled in the midst of a wanted gang of robbers, and of course he has the sizzling Jane Russell making his heart go giddy up. On and on it goes as the film delivers for laughs every cliché from the Western genre, lynch mobs, Indians on the attack, ghost town, hidden gold, sexy gals, heroes and villains, it's all in there for a laugh a minute satirical piece of work. Added bonus here is we get Roy Rogers and the irrepressible Trigger joining in the fun, in fact Trigger steals a scene of Hope and himself in bed,! yes it's that sort of film. The gags are faster than the rifles on show and the film only pauses for breath for us to sample some quite wonderful tunes; California Rose, Wing-Ding Tonight, What A Dirty Shame, Four Legged Friend, Am I In Love and a brilliant reworking of Buttons & Bows from the first film, it's as good a 95 minutes entertainment I could wish to have from a film, 10/10 for me always.

Bobe Hope, RIP legend.

I dare you not to smile

[Fitzy14 · 7/10 · 6 May 2021]

Bob at his best in my opinion. If you are a Bob Hope Fan you will enjoy this movie, if you enjoy Humor, you will enjoy this movie, if you hate Bob Hope and like to make children cry, you will still enjoy this movie.

The Humor is a bit dated as it is from 1952 and it is now 2021, but funny is funny, it stands the test of time and Bob's delivery is spot on. Jane Russell is beautiful and snarky enough to make you laugh and enjoy the interaction with herself and Hope. What else would make this comedy Western more enjoyable you ask.... Well Thank you for asking, let's add a Trick Horse named Trigger and Roy Rogers to round out this fun Cowboys, Indians and Outlaws adventure. You will ride off into the sunset on your recliner having enjoyed a great movie and if you are like me a big ole bowl of popcorn and a beer to wash down the laughter.

Jane Russell is gorgeous!

[HotToastyRag · 4/10 · 17 September 2018]

Just as is the case with most sequels, Son of Paleface isn't nearly as funny as its predecessor, The Paleface. There are a couple of funny gags, and but for the most part, this movie is pretty silly. Lots of Bob Hope movies are silly, but if you're looking for one that stands the test of time better, rent the 1948 original instead.

Bob plays his own son in this movie, and when he travels to a small western town from Harvard to collect his inheritance from his father, he's in for a real surprise. Everyone in town expects to be repaid what Paleface Potter owed them, but the treasure chest is empty! Bob has to stall for time and come up with a get rich quick scheme with his sidekick, Paul E. Burns. At a saloon, Bob get mesmerized by singer Jane Russell performing a jaw-dropping number in a beautiful costume, and he hopes to marry her for her money, then pay everyone off. What he doesn't know is that she moonlights as a gold thief, and she's only pretending to be rich so she can marry him for his money! Add in Roy Rogers as an undercover cop, and you've got some cute songs, lots of horse-y tricks from Trigger, and a funny love triangle. Also, there are couple of hilarious cameos by Bing Crosby and Cecil B. DeMille!

Honestly, though, the real reason to watch this one is to see Jane Russell in breathtaking Edith Head costumes. Her figure is so beautiful, and it's showed off to its best advantage in this flick. If you happen to watch this movie before you rent Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, you'll probably think Marilyn Monroe isn't worth a second glance.

Wow! What a movie!

[witheld · 10/10 · 3 September 2003]

This hilarious western spoof is wickedly funny, marvellously self-aware, and doesn't want to admit to knowing the meaning of the fourth wall.

Hope works well with Roy Rogers--and of course Jane Russel is a sight not to be missed. Personally, I liked her better in the raider get-up, fully ensconsed in her role as villain. She keeps us guessing right up till the end whether she's going to shoot Hope or kiss him. What a movie!

I can't tell you any of the gags, or any of the string of one liners Bob Hope starts the movie with and doesn't let up with at all, ever. It would just hurt you too much.

If you haven't seen this movie and think would like to, go watch it. If you consider Bob Hope unfunny, and long for subtler entertainment, go set your pants on fire, you philistine, and give yourself some culture.

Bob Hope And His Hilarious Comic-Timing

[StrictlyConfidential · 7/10 · 1 April 2020]

After watching 1952's "Son of Paleface" - I'm completely convinced that American actor, Bob Hope was/is one of the absolute funniest funnymen in all of Hollywood movie history, bar none.

And, believe me - This first-rate Comedy/Western spoof sure gave Hope plenty of opportunity to confirm his excellent comic-timing as the pampered city-boy, Junior Potter who (traveling out to the Californian Wild West) actually manages to thwart a serious gold robbery.

Directed by Frank Tashlin - "Son of Paleface" is, literally, loaded with laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy sight gags, and comically priceless one-liners that are certain to keep the viewer totally entertained from start to finish.

Average, like the previous one

[ThomasColquith · 5/10 · 21 November 2021]

"Son of Paleface" is sort of a musical western comedy, so it is not to be taken too seriously. It is a mostly good time though and features some of the old Hollywood stars like Jane Russell, Bob Hope, and Roy Rogers, so it is worth a watch in my opinion. Also I liked Trigger the horse, he did some good stunts. This was my first time seeing Roy Rogers as he was before my time. On the whole, I thought this sequel was about on par with the first film "The Paleface." My rating: 5/10.

Hilarious sequel to original Paleface is incredibly entertaining

[mlraymond · 8/10 · 6 April 2008]

The Paleface, starring Bob Hope and Jane Russell, was a comedy Western that skillfully mixed humor with genuine adventure and suspense. In this sequel, any semblance of reality is quickly tossed aside from the opening credits, with Hope turning to the audience to comment on the action; beginning a lengthy series of mumbled asides and monologues that contain some of the funniest screen writing of any movie ever made.

Impossible sight gags, cartoon like action, songs, and absurd bits that are just funny for their own sake abound. One priceless sequence shows Junior Potter searching a hotel for the sexy saloon singer Jane Russell's room, and knocking on the wrong door. A deep masculine voice inquires "Yes?", to which Hope squeaks " Sorry" in falsetto. After a brief musical interlude, in which he sings optimistically about the possibilities of romancing Jane Russell, he peeks through the keyhole when she announces that she's taking a bath, and is rewarded with a keyhole shaped bit of suds in his eye. He exits the scene to an unseen flute playing Yankee Doodle; pausing to knock on the same wrong door as before. This time, a high, goofy sounding female voice responds " Yes?", to which Hope growls " Good bye!" This has to be one of the silliest, and most enjoyable films ever made.A sheer lunatic farce that barely lets up on the gags for a moment, Son of Paleface is a treat for Bob Hope fans and anyone wanting a good laugh.

A Worthy Sequel

[Sargebri · 10 October 2003]

This was a worthy successor to the original Paleface. This one was just as good and had even a few more funnier moments including the scenes with Trigger, the fight with the Indians and, of course, the climatic chase scene. Also, this film shows Roy Rogers flair for comedy as he has some great comedic moments with Hope. This film will always a perfect sequel.

Probably Hopes Best

[beresfordjd · 9/10 · 14 January 2006]

IMHO this is probably Bob Hope's best comedy. He is ably supported by an excellent cast, especially Jane Russell - who I think was always more gorgeous,sexier and a better actress than Monroe. Some fantastic one-liners make it a hoot from start to finish and it works on several levels. I loved this when I was a kid and still love it now 40 some odd years on. Seen it lots of times and it never gets stale. It made me a Bob Hope fan and I forgave him a lot of later rubbish because of it. A special mention for Trigger - steals several scenes - whoever trained him (Roy Rogers?) did a wonderful job. A little off the subject, but how come Kelsey Grammar has never done Bob Hope in a biopic-he is absolutely a natural for it.

Hope is outclassed by a pair of birds and a horse.

[BA_Harrison · 5/10 · 1 September 2022]

The general consensus seems to be that this sequel is better than the first movie; this might be so, but any improvement is extremely marginal. Son of Paleface is another corny Bob Hope vehicle that churns out the same kind of weak comedy and lame adventure as before. It's perhaps a little zanier, but laughs are still in short supply.

This time around, Hope plays Junior, son of Peter Potter, the character he played in The Paleface. Junior travels out West to the town of Sawbuck Pass to claim his inheritance, but when he gets there he discovers that there is no gold. Worse still, his father owed money to the townsfolk, and they want Junior to settle the debts. To avoid being lynched, Junior pretends that his father left him a fortune.

When sexy saloon girl Mike Delroy (Jane Russell), AKA notorious outlaw The Torch, hears of Junior's apparent newfound wealth, she sets about seducing him; meanwhile, federal agent Roy Barton (Roy Rogers) is closing in on The Torch and her gang.

It says a lot about that this film that the funniest moments come, not from the human stars, but courtesy of some animals: a pair of hungry buzzards who perch on the back of Junior's jalopy when he drives into the desert (one of them wearing a napkin ready for dinner), and Roy Roger's horse Trigger, who gets the biggest laughs by stealing the covers while in bed with Hope.

The rest of the movie comprises of warmed-over gags and unmemorable songs, the film even reprising Buttons and Bows from the first film, but with Hope adding some new lyrics. The most promising aspect of the film - the hunt for 'Painless' Potter's hidden gold - ends disappointingly, an attack by American Indians taking precedent, the treasure discovered purely by accident.

4.5/10, rounded up to 5 for IMDb.

Hilarity at Its Best

[pllc15 · 10/10 · 11 July 2008]

"Son of Pale Face" is good clean fun performed by 3 great stars who are joined together with Trigger as one great team. Roy plays the good guy and government agent going after the infamous bandit , "the Torch", played by the sexy Jane Russell. Gumming up the works of course is Bob Hope who plays the off-spring of DDS Pale Face Potter from the earlier movie, "Pale Face" 4 years before. I saw this movie in 1952 and was a great fan of Roy Rogers. I remember I was disappointed during the movie that Roy wasn't wearing his twin six-shooters and was just using his secret agent's guitar hidden gun by pulling one of the strings to thwart his foes. I was happy though that he didn't have any kissing scenes with Jane Russell. I was sure he was going to (dread the thought) during the bar scene and was relieved that he thought the better of it. Afterall it was a sissy thing to do in those days if he did. His reputation remained intact with me from then on.

Even better than I expected!

[urthmothr · 22 August 2001]

I had seen Trigger steal the scene - and the blanket - from Hope, and finally got to see the whole movie. What a cast! Bob Hope, Jane Russell, and Roy Rogers. The three stars complement each other, and I'd love to have a copy of a still with the three of them singing together! The movie is a great showcase for Trigger, and Paul E. Burns is great in a Gabby Hayes-like role! Of course, it is not a "politically correct" portrayal of American Indians, but it is typical of its period.

Jane can protect me any day

[VicTheDaddy · 10/10 · 15 March 2006]

Haven't seen this film for years,unfortunately its not on sale in the UK,so i decided to buy a copy of it on ebay which was region 1.I had to change the region on my computer in order to play it,but it was well worth it.Its just as funny as i remember it.Bob hope was as funny as ever as the Harvard hopeful,he never lost his touch as the brave coward.Jane was as sexy as ever,and so tough the ultimate sex goddess,she really suited these films,together they were brilliant.Roy Rogers and Trigger fit in well to the films fun adding a bit extra,which was not in the first paleface.A very funny film which we don't make anymore,so please no remakes of this fine comedy.

Bob Hope carries a torch for Jane Russell

[NewEnglandPat · 8/10 · 28 July 2003]

This western spoof is solid entertainment with Bob Hope as the centerpiece of the story. The zany antics of this greenhorn out west to inherit his father's fortune is the main plot outline and Hope manages to entangle himself in a federal investigation involving a rash of robberies by a notorious outlaw gang. Roy Rogers and Trigger also star in this colorful drama with Jane Russell along to provide sparks and fireworks for Hope. The picture moves at a brisk pace with a mixture of comedy, Russell's profile, shootouts, Trigger's capers and an Indian attack, although Rogers is essentially a straight man for Hope's one-liners. Rogers sings a tune or two and Russell's warbling is also good. Bill Williams is among the supporting cast and is good but his eastern accent is out of place in a western movie.

Successfully steps into the old film's shoes

[Spondonman · 8/10 · 29 January 2015]

I'd seen this sequel a few times and many years before seeing the original film and to me they always seemed as good as one another: to me they both hold up very well as entertaining family friendly films. And great as bookends.

In this Bob Hope plays the son of Paleface Potter - who seems to have attained an unwarranted mythological status whilst Junior was growing up – and who arrives in his old Pa's town to the baying delight of the debt collecting populace. He immediately clashes with secret goodie Roy Rogers (even with Trigger) and wishes he could clash with secret baddie Jane Russell for whom he carries A Torch, and of whom Rogers is on the trail. Junior was so mean he hated himself as he rolled his r's. It's a wingding of a film full of witty dialogue and fast talk - not least the quick brown fox jumped over the last dog - and with many hilarious scenes (even slapstick with Trigger chasing Hope through the local hotel). Wonder what bourbon on your toothpaste tastes like? And prepare to bust your britches with Hope's Cottontalk, see. Russell was a likable enough gal, but judging by some of the outlandish non-sexy costumes she was presumably requested to wear and similar to most of us, she looked better fully dressed. The plot not involving Hope veered from Lone Star standard to a frantic climax which reprised Hold That Ghost.

I've always loved Hope's Golden Age films and have enjoyed this one repeatedly over the decades; if you don't like Hope, westerns or musicals there's no hope for you in here.

Hilarious movie, and a treat for Jane Russell fans

[skad13 · 26 August 1999]

A terrifically funny movie. Bob Hope's wisecracking persona and writer-director Frank Tashlin's cartoon-like gags make a perfect blend. And anyone who enjoys Jane Russell has to check out her opening shot in the movie, in which the camera pans up her gorgeous legs while va-va-voom plays on the soundtrack.

Top-notch comedy in every department

Moronic Harvard man with horseless carriage meets the wild West.

[weezeralfalfa · 10/10 · 11 August 2017]

A sequel to "The Paleface". Bob Hope and Jane Russell return, but share the limelight with Roy Rogers and his brainy horse Trigger. Hope plays the son of Paleface(Junior), while entertainer Jane is also the leader of an outlaw gang, she being dubbed 'The Torch'. Roy is a federal investigator, trying to corral 'The Torch' and gang.

While "The Paleface" is a generally enjoyable western farce, with only 2 songs, I find the present film more enjoyable. Indeed, as a musical comedy, with particular emphasis on comedy, it's hard to beat. Hope, Jane and Roy divide up the singing assignments. Trigger does a bit of dancing to "Four Legged Friend". On a saloon stage, Jane, wearing a skimpy tiger outfit with very broad rimmed black hat, sings "Wing-Ding Tonight". Her charismatic combination of favored dancehall singer and leader of an outlaw gang would be repeated in her next film: "Montana Belle", which was overshadowed by the present film. All 3 stars join in singing the hit song from "The Paleface": "Buttons and Bows", with sometimes modified lyrics. Later, Roy serenades Jane, on the balcony, with "California Rose". Then, while Hope is romancing her, in her room, Roy sings "There's a Cloud in my Valley of Sunshine"....During a later romantic moment between Hope and Jane, they sing "Am I in Love".

Hope, as Peter Potter, Jr., after graduating from Harvard, and saying goodbye to his gold-digging girlfriend, sets out to collect his father's fortune in gold coins, supposedly located in a treasure chest in a bank in Sawbuck, somewhere in the West. Amazingly, he drives there in his primitive horseless carriage, which spends as much time backfiring as rolling forward! When he arrives, his car spays the folks with mud, every time it encounters a mud puddle. In addition, it seems his father owed nearly everyone in town money, which they expect Junior to pay. Unfortunately, father's treasure chest proves empty, except later, they find a helpful note under the false bottom. The remainder of the film concentrates on wondering whether there is a hidden treasure and, if so, where, with only vague hints. I leave the further details for you to discover.

The screenplay is thoroughly silly, as you might expect from Hope. If that bothers you, you may not enjoy the film as much as intended. Otherwise, it has much to offer. I saw it, in Technicolor, at YouTube.