The anachronistic one-liners fly off Bob's tongue faster than a seagull with its tail feathers ablaze, and about 50% are throw away misses, but this is still a fairly entertaining Pirate romp in gorgeous technicolor, not to be taken at all seriously.
Hope's schtick is outshone by Victor McLaglen, who as The Hook, is at his blustering best, chewing the sets and scenery and obviously enjoying lumbering around in the guise of a pirate Captain. Too bad he never did a turn in another film as Long John Silver or Blackbeard, he'd have been a hoot to watch. The best and funniest scene here is when he pretends to be Hope's reflection in the mirror, aping his mannerisms. McLaglen's facial expressions in this scene are priceless.
The story is wildly uneven, and sags in badly in the second act as per most Hope comedies, but Walter Brennan and Virginia Mayo help to keep things lively and overall it's worth a look. Hilarious ending too.
Hope's schtick is outshone by Victor McLaglen, who as The Hook, is at his blustering best, chewing the sets and scenery and obviously enjoying lumbering around in the guise of a pirate Captain. Too bad he never did a turn in another film as Long John Silver or Blackbeard, he'd have been a hoot to watch. The best and funniest scene here is when he pretends to be Hope's reflection in the mirror, aping his mannerisms. McLaglen's facial expressions in this scene are priceless.
The story is wildly uneven, and sags in badly in the second act as per most Hope comedies, but Walter Brennan and Virginia Mayo help to keep things lively and overall it's worth a look. Hilarious ending too.