My Favorite Blonde (1942)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(188 ratings)

Each of Bob Hope's "My Favorite" films (My Favorite Blonde, My Favorite Brunette, My Favorite Spy) was, by accident or design, a parody of a dead-serious movie genre. 1942's My Favorite Blonde, for example, was a takeoff of Alfred Hitchcock in general and Hitchcock's 39 Steps in particular. Two-bit… More Each of Bob Hope's "My Favorite" films (My Favorite Blonde, My Favorite Brunette, My Favorite Spy) was, by accident or design, a parody of a dead-serious movie genre. 1942's My Favorite Blonde, for example, was a takeoff of Alfred Hitchcock in general and Hitchcock's 39 Steps in particular. Two-bit vaudeville entertainer Hope gets mixed up with gorgeous blonde British-spy Madeline Carroll. The "maguffin" (Hitchcock's nickname for "gimmick") which ties the two stars together is a ring which contains the microfilmed plans for a revolutionary new bomber. Hope and Carroll are forced to take it on the lam when Hope is framed for murder by Nazi-agents Gale Sondergaard, George Zucco et. al. Highlights include Hope eluding capture by impersonating a famed psychologist (watch for Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as Hope's most contentious "patient"). Madeline Carroll also got several opportunities to shine comedically, especially when she lapsed into cloying baby talk while posing as Hope's wife. Bob Hope was hesitant to work with My Favorite Blonde director Sidney Lanfield, having heard of Lanfield's reputation as an on-set dictator. However, the two got along so swimmingly that they would collaborate on such future top-notch Hope farces as Let's Face It (1943) and The Lemon Drop Kid (1951). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Sidney Lanfield
Written By: Don Hartman, Frank Butler
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 2, 1942 Wide
On DVD: May 19, 1993
Studio: Universal Studios Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Lives up to its rep as one of Bob Hope's better comedies.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
One of Bob Hope's best comic-thriller vehicles… benefits from its semi-serious spy-thriller ambiance… and above all one of the more human, less caricatured, less one-dimensionally narcissistic characters in Hope's movie oeuvre.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Great comedy thriller. Probably Hope's best film.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Another very funny Bob Hope movie. It has humor, excitement, and a bit of suspense. If you're a fan this is a must see.
Anthony V

Great comedic moments from Hope in this classic.

Cast

            Bob Hope as Larry Haines

            Madeleine Carroll as Karen Bentley

            Gale Sondergaard as Mme. Stephanie Runick

            George Zucco as Dr. Hugo Streger

            Victor Varconi as Miller

            Lionel Royce as Karl

            Walter Kingsford as Dr. Faber

            Crane Whitley as Ulrich

            Otto Reichow as Lanz

            Erville Alderson as Sheriff

            Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as Frederick

            Monte Blue as Policeman at Union Hall

            Wade Boteler as Conductor

            Matthew Boulton as Col. Ashmont

            James Burke as Union Secretary

            Charles Cane as Turk O'Flaherty

            Jack Clifford as Cops at Union Hall

            Edmund Cobb as Yard Man

            Nell Craig as Woman

            Bing Crosby as Man Giving Directions

            Edgar Dearing as Joe

            Leslie Denison as Elvan

            Vernon Dent as Ole Bartender

            Eddie Dew as Pilot

            Dudley Dickerson as Red Cap

            Jimmie Dodd as Stuttering Boy

            Sarah Edwards as Mrs. Weatherwax

            Dick Elliott as Backstage Doorman

            Tom Fadden as Tom Douglas

            William Forrest as Col. Raeburn

            Arno Frey as Male Nurse

            Edward Gargan as Mulrooney

            Kirby Grant as Pilot

            Edward Hearn as Train Official

            George Hickman as Elevator Boy

            Leyland Hodgson as English Driver

            Esther Howard as Mrs. Topley

            William Irving as Waiter

            Robert Emmett Keane as Burton

            Fred Kelsey as Sam

            Jack Luden as Spectator

            Frank Marlowe
            
            Art Miles as Cop Outside Union Hall

            James Millican as Truck Driver

            Charles R. Moore as Pullman Porter

            Milton Parsons as Mortician

            Edward Peil Sr.
            
            Isabel Randolph as Frederick's Mother

            Addison Richards as Herbert Wilson

            Dick Rush as Cop

            Paul Scardon as Dr. Higby

            George Turner as Pilot

            Minerva Urecal as Frozen-Faced Woman

            Max Wagner as Man with Truck

            Lloyd Whitlock as Apartment Manager

            Dooley Wilson as Porter

            Frank Mills as New York Taxi Driver

            William Cabanne as Pilot

            Betty Farrington
            
            Harry Hollingsworth as Irish Cop

            Alice Keating
            
            Bill Lally as Telegraph Operator

            Michael Lally as Chicago Taxi Driver

            Charles McAvoy as Brakeman

            Gerald Pierce
            
            Joe Recht
            
            Ciera Rose Allen as Outraged Woman

            David McKim as Newsboy

            Allan Ramsey
            
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