Louisiana Purchase (1941)

A bumbling senator investigating graft in Louisiana is the target of a scheme involving a Viennese beauty.

Director:

Irving Cummings

Writers:

Buddy G. DeSylva (short story) (as B.G. DeSylva), Morrie Ryskind (play)

Stars:

Bob Hope, Vera Zorina, Victor Moore

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bob Hope	...	Jim Taylor
Vera Zorina	...	Marina Von Minden
Victor Moore	...	Sen. Oliver P. Loganberry
Irène Bordoni	...	Madame Yvonne Bordelaise
Dona Drake	...	Beatrice
Raymond Walburn	...	Col. Davis Sr. aka Polar Bear
Maxie Rosenbloom	...	The Shadow aka Wilson
Phyllis Ruth	...	Emmy Lou
Frank Albertson	...	Robert Davis, Jr.
Donald MacBride	...	Capt. Pierre Whitfield
Andrew Tombes	...	Dean Albert Manning
Robert Warwick	...	Speaker of the House
Charles La Torre	...	Gaston, Waiter
Charles Laskey	...	Danseur
Emory Parnell	...	Sam Horowitz, Lawyer

Storyline

Graft is rampant in the government of a "mythical" Louisiana, and the arrival of U.S. Senate investigator Loganberry brings panic. The chief miscreants shift the blame on to their innocent tool, Jim Taylor, who to save himself must "compromise" the simon-pure Senator Loganberry. As his instrument, Jim selects Marina Von Minden, beautiful Viennese refugee. But matters become complicated when Jim falls for Marina... and she takes a liking for the Senator.

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Plot Keywords:

frame up | senator | louisiana | graft | scheme | 

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Taglines:

It's the PRIZE PICTURE OF THE YEAR! (original print ad)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

31 December 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Huijari huiputtaa

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on February 22, 1943 with Victor Moore reprising his film role.

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Quotes

Senator Oliver P. Loganberry: You're a pretty smart fella, Mr. Taylor. I kinda wish you were a Republican.

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Connections

Version of Musical Comedy Time: Louisiana Purchase (1951)

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Soundtracks

FOOLS FALL IN LOVE
Written by Irving Berlin
Sung in original play; used instrumentally in film

User Reviews

Bob Hope and some of the musical's original cast make Irving Berlin's Louisiana Purchase quite a funny and entertaining movie

I've read that this Irving Berlin musical was based on the dealings of Huey Long and his cronies. Long was the governor of my state, Louisiana, and later the state senator and he did much that was good for it but also had some crooked deals with like-minded people who got exposed after Long's assassination in the mid-'30s. So it was that this film began with a lawyer singing of dictating a letter to the studio that the only way this story depicted here can be presented is to treat it as fiction. I'll stop there and just say that I found this Bob Hope vehicle funny and entertaining with good support from Vera Zorina, Irene Bordoni, and especially Victor Moore, all reprising their roles from the Broadway version. The Irving Berlin songs retained for this production are fine as well. Oh, and I loved the sight of the state capital from my state's capital city of Baton Rouge inserted here! Nothing more to say except I highly recommend Louisiana Purchase.