On the ‘Road’

Take a trip with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope on “The Road to Singapore” as the Driftwood Players’ Classic Movies series offers a big screen look at one of Hollywood’s most memorable comedy teams at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21.

There wasn’t a lot to laugh about in 1940 as the Great Depression stretched on and a world war loomed in the distance. Film audiences found solace in the light hearted banter of movie and music star Crosby, and former vaudevillian comedian Hope. Other stars had been offered and turned down the roles of vagabond playboys Josh Mallon and Ace Lannigan, but any doubt that this unlikely pairing would work was erased as soon as “Road to Singapore” was released to tremendous box office success. Eventually, there were seven “Road To” films over the course of 22 years

As Josh, Crosby plays the son of a wealthy businessman who has little interest in getting into his father’s line of work. His buddy Ace is not the brightest star in the universe, but they both share an affection for footloose and fancy-free living. While they also enjoy the affection of dames, they don’t enjoy the idea of commitment, and hit the road to avoid the complications of impending matrimony.

Josh and Ace don’t actually ever make it to Singpore, but they do run into the exotic cabaret performer Mima, played by Dorothy Lamour in a fabulous sarong. They all shack up (in 1940 terms, of course) to avoid Lamour’s jealous partner Caesar (Anthony Quinn). In between they break out in song (“Captain Custard,” “The Moon and the Willow Tree,” “An Apple for the Teacher,” “Sweet Potato Piper” and “Too Romantic”) and get into patty-cake fistfights.

The plot is really the least of the film’s charms. It’s the chemistry between Crosby, Hope and Lamour that lights up the screen, in particular the improvisational comedy that Crosby and Hope cook up, a formula that is built upon even further in later films.

“The Road to Singapore” plays at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 at the Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St. in Edmonds. Tickets are $5, available by calling Driftwood’s box office at 425-774-9600. The next film in the Classic Movies series is 1942’s Irving Berlin Christmas musical, “Holiday Inn,” screening at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19.