Screenland Plus TV-Land (Nov 1952 - Oct 1953)

By MARY MARATHON Hi, fans! Here I am again and I'm high as a kite about a picture I've just seen — "Road to Bali" with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. These three aren't exactly strangers to each other, having traveled a few previous "Roads" together. Maybe you saw one (or more) of them. If you did, you'll agree that when Bing, Bob and Dotty team up to hit the road, it's a laugh marathon for sure! In "Road to Bali" I want to tell you, they're but colossal. What happens to them could only happen to them! They have all kinds ofl impossible adventures — with music — including diving for sunken treasure (a little situation Bing maneuvers Bob into); tangling with savage head hunters and beautiful native women; wrestling with ferocious animals; and running into some of your favorite Hollywood personalities (surprises galore!) in the middle of the jungle. It's all for laughs and, believe me, laughs for all. In a "Road" show anything goes, and in this one not only anything — but everything! Dotty has a wardrobe of whistle-bait Balinese sarongs (she plays an island princess) and, of course, the two B.s buzz around her like crazy, each outdoing the other, pulling all kinds of wild wires to be the lucky one who wins her. Story? Well, now, between you and me, anything sensible couldn't stand up under Bing's and Bob's gaff, although Dotty does her feminine best to provide motivation and maintain a semblance of sanity. There's a villain, though, who cooks up enough trouble to keep "our heroes" hopping. He's played by Murvyn Vye and I seem to remember that he connives to cheat the princess of her fortune, but who really gives a care about a story when Bing, Bob and Dotty are in action in glamorous Bah? * * * "Road to Bali" is the first of the "Road" films in color by Technicolor. And wait'll you see the Balinese dancers in their lush and lavish, colorful costumes. It's an eyeful you won't soon forget. There are six new songs, among them a couple of Crosby-Hope comedy routines that are worth the price of admission alone. Take it from me, fans, this "Road" rates traveling to, no matter how far you are from the theatre that plays it. There's another Technicolor movie coming out soon, too, that I think you'll enjoy — a thriller called "The Blazing Forest," that is tops in action adventure. That gorgeous guy all the gals are gone on — John Payne — has the number one stalling role as the tough boss of a logging camp in the tall timber country. Other stars in it are William Demarest, Agnes Moorehead, Richard Alien and lovely newcomer Susan Morrow (remember 1 told you about her last month in connection with "The Savage"?) "The Blazing Forest" has all the action excitement its title implies, set against magnificent mountain scenery — wonderful background for the romance between Payne and Susan. * * * And pretty soon you'll be hearing about "Come Back, Little Sheba," the movie version of the Broadway stage hit, co-starring Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth. Miss Booth starred in the stage play, too . . . but more about that simply immense picture next month. Goodbye for now, fans, and happy movie-going! Paramount Presents o*r*\=r &O fc* CROSBY HOPE DOftOTHV IAMOUR ROAD TO BALI Color by TECHNICOLOR Produced by Hany Tugend • Directed by Hal Walker Screenplay by Frank Butler. Hal Kanter and William Morrow • New Songs — Lyrics by Johnny Burke Music by James Van Heusen Paramount Presents "THE Color by TECHNICOLOR starring JOHN PAYNE Fdwaid Ludwig • Written for the Screen Foster and Winston Miller • Produced H. Pine and William C. Thorn. Sff ss ws sas tug aa mini Paramount Presents BURT LANCASTER SHIRLEY BOOTH in HAL WALLIS' Product COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA co-starring TERRY MOORE w.lh Richard Jaeckel Directed by Daniel Mann • Screenplay by Ketti Fnngs • Based on the original play by William Inge Produced on the stage by the Theatre Guild