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:

WHERE THERE'S HOPE...THERE'S LIFE AND LAUGHTER! (original poster-all caps)

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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

Barbara Britton replaced Frances Gifford.

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Quotes

Marina Von Minden: Once I get my papers, I go on relief. Heil Roosevelt!

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Connections

Version of Musical Comedy Time: Louisiana Purchase (1951)

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Soundtracks

SEX MARCHES ON
Written by Irving Berlin
Sung in original play; used instrumentally in film

User Reviews

Louisiana Purchase- And I Thought it Was About Napoleon 1/2*

Dreadful, stupidly inane film dealing with corruption at the Louisiana Purchase Lumber Company.

Everyone in the state of Louisiana seems to be corrupt and inept. A member of the college's English Department can only sign his name with an X.

When it appears that a straight laced Senator (Victor Moore) is coming to the state to investigate, everyone there tries to blame the innocent but foolish Bob Hope character.

Is it any wonder that Vera Zorina did not get the part of Maria in 1943's "For Whom the Bell Tolls?"

Naturally, the corrupt officials along with Hope try to show pictures of Zorina with Moore so as to ruin him politically. Moore marries the head of the restaurant who he had insulted when he asked for a ham sandwich. He thought the reason that she was upset was because it was a kosher restaurant. This is the extent of humor is this absolute mess of a film.

When Hope tries to defend himself in Congress, he does a take-off of James Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." By then the film is too far gone for any good response.

The music and lyrics are both absolutely terrible. That song praising Louisiana, sung in various ways, is absolutely terrible. Irving Berlin had something to do with the music of this utterly terrible film?