My Favorite Brunette (1947)

Baby photographer Ronnie Jackson, on death row in San Quentin, tells reporters how he got there: taking care of his private-eye neighbor's office, Ronnie is asked by the irresistible ... See full summary »

Director:

Elliott Nugent

Writers:

Edmund Beloin (original screenplay), Jack Rose (original screenplay),

Stars:

Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Peter Lorre

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bob Hope	...	Ronnie Jackson
Dorothy Lamour	...	Carlotta Montay
Peter Lorre	...	Kismet
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Willie (as Lon Chaney)
John Hoyt	...	Dr. Lundau
Charles Dingle	...	Major Simon Montague
Reginald Denny	...	James Collins
Frank Puglia	...	Baron Montay
Ann Doran	...	Miss Rogers
Willard Robertson	...	Prison Warden
Jack La Rue	...	Tony
Charles Arnt	...	Crawford

Storyline

Baby photographer Ronnie Jackson, on death row in San Quentin, tells reporters how he got there: taking care of his private-eye neighbor's office, Ronnie is asked by the irresistible Baroness Montay to find the missing Baron. There follow confusing but sinister doings in a gloomy mansion and a private sanatorium, with every plot twist a parody of thriller cliches. What are the villains really after? Can Ronnie beat a framed murder rap?

---

Plot Keywords:

photographer | baby photographer | death row | murder | narrative | 

---

Taglines:

He's a hilarious hawkshaw... with a case on Dottie!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Mystery

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Private Eye

Filming Locations:

California Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hope Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film contains a number of in-jokes. Bob Hope's character is just saying that he wants to be a private detective like Alan Ladd - when Ladd appears, playing a private detective. Dorothy Lamour's character looks longingly after Bing Crosby for a moment (in their "Road" movies with Bob Hope, Crosby nearly always got the girl) before Hope wins back her attention. There is also a comic reference to legendary music conductor Arturo Toscanini, then considered the greatest conductor in the world, and who at that time was conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra. (Bob Hope had a radio program on NBC and was soon to make his TV debut on NBC as well.)

---

Goofs

Ronnie is supplied with a torn-off piece of printed stationery from "Seacliff Lodge," but the sign at the main entrance to the facility shows its name as "Seacliffe Lodge."

---

Quotes

State Trooper: If you bother us again, I'll personally punch you in the nose so hard it will look like other peoples' noses.

---

Connections

Follows My Favorite Blonde (1942)

---

Soundtracks

"'Murder,' He Says"
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Played on the phonograph

User Reviews

Have a Happy 100th Birthday, Mr. Bob Hope!

Bob Hope is back! This time with Dorothy Lamour. This is the ninth film they both have been in and they were in five more together after this one, Bob Hope is the age of 43 or 44 in this film. Bob Hope plays a baby photographer who has always wanted to be a private eye...a detective. Next to his office is the McCloud Detective Agency. He begs for Sam McCloud (Alan Ladd in a cameo appearance) to give him a chance. But nothin' doin'. While McCloud trusts Bob to answer the phone while he steps outside to work on a case, who should walk in but Dorothy Lamour. The distraught woman needs help and thinks Bob is McCloud the detective. Well, what is Bob to do? Especially as lovely as Dorothy Lamour is. So here is Bob's chance to play detective. Here is where the fun begins. Bing Crosby also has a cameo appearance.