The Princess and the Pirate (1944) User Reviews

Hope at his zaniest in featherweight swashbuckling comedy...

[Doylenf · 7/10 · 14 February 2006]

This one is so much better than Hope's later romp in the swashbuckling genre called CASANOVA'S BIG NIGHT.

VIRGINIA MAYO displays comic flair as Princess Margaret, the lovely Technicolor photography doing her full justice as the costumed princess running away from the villains with the cowardly Sylvester the Great (BOB HOPE) at her side. Hope is at his comic best, delivering every line with the sort of casual flair for comedy that served him so well during his early years at Paramount.

But having the most fun are VICTOR McLAGLEN as the hook-bearing pirate with a devilish gleam in his eye; WALTER BRENNAN as the maniacal, half-witted pirate called Featherbrain who relishes every scene and gives one of his best supporting role performances; and WALTER SLEZAK as the wicked man who wants the treasure map and Mayo for his own.

Not to be outclassed by these comic performances, we also have HUGO HAAS as the cabaret owner who shares some priceless one-liners with Hope who auditions for a job in his cabaret. The drinking scene is one of the highlights of the film.

Directed at a frantic pace by David Butler, this is one of Hope's most enjoyable romps and it's all dressed up in fancy Technicolor and lavish sets and costumes.

Not to be missed, if you're a Hope fan.

Hope as a coward, this time on the high seas

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 18 February 2007]

Bob Hope again plays his cowardly character in "The Princess and the Pirate," a 1944 film from Samuel Goldwyn Studios. The film also stars Virginia Mayo, Walter Slezak, Victor McLaglen, and Walter Brennan. Hope plays Sylvester the Great (who gives his last name as Crosby), a bad performer who becomes involved with an incognito princess, played by pretty Virginia Mayo. There's really no point in going through the story - it's fairly ridiculous, concerning a map and a treasure. It's really just an excuse for some gorgeous Technicolor escapist entertainment in the midst of World War II. Beautiful women (the Goldwyn Girls) and lots of comedy abound. Hope is a scream as Sylvester, impersonating a Gypsy woman and Captain Barrett (McLaglen) who has a hook for a hand. Toward the end of the film, both Barrett and Sylvester disguised as Barrett are in Barrett's quarters, unaware of one another, each leaving the room from time to time and making opposite pronouncements to the pirates. Very funny stuff.

Hope is an absolute riot with that dry, offhand delivery of his and his facial expressions. He generally played an avowed coward, though a likable one, and this time is no different. Everyone does a great job in this, and I'm sure audiences, depressed by war news, appreciated it. Lots of fun and recommended.

An amusing and funny pirate/comedy movie featuring many stars and lots of laughs

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 5 June 2013]

Many , many years ago , on the Spanish Main , there sailed the Seven Seas the most bloodthirsty buccaneer in history . Ruthless and daring he was , and , though his soul was black with foul deeds , he feared no creature , living or dead . Because he had an iron claw for a right hand , this terror of the Ocean lanes was known as ¨The Hook¨ . Bob Hope is Sylvester the Great , a conceited actor , the man of seven faces . He is a vaudvillian who falls for a gorgeous princess (Virginia Mayo) , both of whom being pursued by a nasty hooked pirate (Victor McLagen) and a governor (Victor Slezak) . Hope posing as a woman in order to escape , being saved by an old pirate (Walter Brennan). The Hook and his hoodlums (Mike Mazurki , Hugo Haas , Marc Lawrence) set out in pursuit Sylvester . They look for a valuable treasure and on the run Hope disguises as a gypsy . Meanwhile , Hope attempting to save the princess from being abducted . Hope and Mayo flee and find themselves surrounded by pirates . Later on , they go to the inn called ¨Bucket of Blood¨. Deciding to head back to treasure island .

This is an original and entertaining swashbuckler comedy , spoofing numerous pirate situations and including a wonderful song titled ¨Kiss me in the moonlight¨. The film is a Bob Hope recital , he stooges , makes acrobatics , tongue twister and puts faces and grimaces . It's a pretty amusing farce with the master comic and he displays splendidly his portentous skills . Bob Hope show with his particular talent as a great comic about an issue of mistaken identities , maps , hidden treasures and many other things . This is one of Bob's early Technicolor entries , being spectacularly photographed by Victor Milner and William Snyder . Available digitally remastered stereo with original film trailer . This one Hope played on loan from Paramount to the great producer Samuel Goldwyn . Samuel Goldwyn paid Paramount $133,500 to borrow Bob Hope for twelve weeks. During that time, Hope made this film and ¨They got me covered¨. The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 26, 1945 with Bob Hope and Virginia Mayo reprising their film roles . Of course , at the end of the movie appears a famous guest star , Big Crosby , in a closing cameo performed . Bob Hope , Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour on their crazies starred the known series about ¨The Road To..¨, these are the following : ¨The road to Singapur¨ this one started it all ; ¨Road to Hong Kong¨, ¨The Road to Lebanon¨, The Road to Morocco¨ , ¨The Road to Rio¨, ¨The road to Zanzibar¨, ¨The road to Utopia¨ . ¨The princess and the pirate¨ results to be as funny as some the other ¨Road movies¨ , it's a great entertainment and fun . The motion picture was well directed by David Butler . Picture is a vehicle Bob Hope , he's an authentic comic and real Farceur . If you like Hope's crazy interpretation , in which he manages charm and humor , you will most definitely enjoy this one ; it's really a great amusement .

Great, Great, Great!

[exitr · 8 March 2000]

Of all of Bob Hopes comedies, sans Crosby, this has got to be the best. A movie you can watch not twice, but a hundred times,( as I probably have ) The classic "beer drinking scene" with "Hugo"! Virginia Mayo......... Walter Slezak.....Walter Brennan, Try as they may...Hollywood can't do any better, no filth, no bathroom jokes, what a challenge it must have been in those day's to bring you a film that did not need to rely on that. Watch and enjoy with your kids or along with the guy's and some beer, it's timeless. A true 10......

Amusing

[preppy-3 · 7/10 · 4 May 2007]

A vicious pirate called the Hook (Victor McLaglan) and his gang invade a boat carrying a princess (Virginia Mayo) and quick change artist Sylvester the Great (Bob Hope). They're kidnapped but escape and soon found themselves neck deep in danger.

Amusing Bob Hope comedy with him constantly throwing off one liners left and right. This is a lavish production with great sets and costumes (especially Mayos) and shot in bright Technicolor. It's OK but not great--it's way too plot heavy (especially for a comedy)and some of Hope's jokes are real groaners or very 1944 (how many people are going to get a joke about Gypsy Rose Lee?).

Hope is fun, Mayo is beautiful and McLaglan is actually quite funny as the pirate. An amusing comedy with a great closing gag. Kids might like it more than adults--some of the characters here are so broadly played than I found it annoying but children might find it hysterical. I give it a 7.

Good entertainment

[jem132 · 7/10 · 26 February 2009]

Fun comedy that showcases the talents of legend Bob Hope, filmed in gorgeous Technicolour. He's the cowardly tenth-rate travelling player who finds himself in a crazy situation he never would have dreamed of, involving pirates and pretty girls. The main girl in question is the ravishing-in-colour Virginia Mayo, who plays the Princess of the title. It's a credit to her that she displays plenty of spunk in personality as well as spunky legs. Sometimes this film, and Hope, takes a few missteps, thinking it's more witty and clever than it actually is, and some gags run too long, but it's still good entertainment. I like Bob Hope's style, I need to check out some of those "Road" movies he did. Supporting cast includes Walter Brennan, Victor McLaglen and Walter Slezak (displaying more skin than is desired...unlike Miss Mayo!). The moral of the story? Watch out for bit players from Paramount!

Those were the days...

[daninthemix · 9/10 · 12 January 2002]

One of an increasingly rare breed of cinema - a comedy that actually makes you laugh, and as the fella above says, without relying on smut or toilet humour, but pure comic genius delivered with finesse by Bob Hope and the rest of the supporting cast. P and the P manages to also deliver a top of the range swashbuckling adventure which immerses you within minutes and keeps you there until the end.

The Princess and the Pirate is a charming example of how comedies used to be - and is as infinitely watchable now as I can only assume it was then (me being all of 20 at time of writing!). It is certainly as delightful as when I first saw it at age 10 or so, with none of the cheesiness or insincerity that becomes apparent with many childhood favourites when I revisit them years later. And that, I suppose, is the definition of the word 'timeless'.

"Mainmast? I wouldn't know the mainmast if it fell on me."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 4 September 2023]

"The Princess and the Pirate" was made about midway between the series of Road movies Bob Hope did for Paramount. For this one he was on loan to Sam Goldwyn, and I'm sure the noted director got his money's worth. Hope is in fine form here, with a lot of his lines feeling like they were ad-libbed for each humorous situation. As with virtually every pirate movie, comedy or not, a treasure map is at the center of the story, but by the end of the picture that doesn't really mean much. Sharing screen time with beautiful Virginia Mayo, frustrated actor Sylvester the Great (Hope) gets into and out of a number of scrapes while dodging the likes of villainous pirate captain The Hook (Victor McLaglen), and governor of Casarouge, the flamboyant and colorful La Roche (Walter Slezak). You can tell Hope is having a fun time, and actress Mayo reciprocates by smiling in agreement with every line of his humorous dialog. Hope even manages to throw in a couple zingers about his Road partner Bing Crosby, who shows up at the finale to have the last laugh. Of the nearly thirty Bob Hope films I've seen, this one compares favorably with IMDb viewers, ranking in ninth place at the time of this writing, and does even better in the pirate movie category, ahead even of a couple of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Personally, I don't think that's warranted, though I doubt many Johnny Depp fans even know who Bob Hope is. Either way, this is a fun flick, perhaps paving the way for another comedy team to sail into pirate waters when in 1952, "Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd".

Why don't you die like a man? Because I'd rather LIVE like a woman!

[Find_The_Light · 10/10 · 13 September 2005]

I want to thank Robbolini for reminding me of that excellent line from the movie, one of my favorite Bob Hope lines ever! What can you say about this movie, A TRUE CLASSIC, A GEM, HILARIOUS? Yes all of these.

Bob Hope proves he's the King of Comedy with a truckload of his classic one liners, as the cowardly SYLVESTER THE GREAT, by chance runs into the runaway Princess, Margaret, portrayed by the BEAUTIFUL VIRGINIA MAYO.

Walter Slezak as Governor La Roche & Victor McLaglen as the HOOK are trying to get Ms. Mayo & Bob runs interference with help of Walter Brennan, ie Featherhead...the plot is funny & entertaining, as is the scene in the bar when Bob is forced to drink a few "short beers", which are actually pitchers of beer...

All the bad guys want Virginia Mayo, ie Princess Margaret & the map for the buried treasure...the film culminates with an awesome climax & a twist ending! BOB HOPE AT HIS ABSOLUTE BEST, A MUST SEE CLASSIC!

Decent comedy and not "Hope"less

[Mike-764 · 6/10 · 6 October 2002]

England's worst comedian, Sylvester the Great, is given a treasure map and escapes ship from a band of pirates w/ a runaway princess, but later is prisoner by a sinister governor who is also trying to obtain the treasure as well as the princess. Its up to Sylvester to save her, as well as himself from the governor and the dreaded Hook who has returned w/ mercenary pirate crew in tow. Hope is, as in many of his movies, hammy, but is able to work well off his costars. McLaglen and Brennan are a delight to watch as Hook and Featherbrain, respectively. Nice ending as well. Rating, 6 of 10.

"Why can't you die like a man?"..."Because I'd rather live like a woman!"

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 13 May 2006]

Bob Hope comedy shot in fabulous color and with a terrific supporting cast. Ship sailing the Spanish Main is overtaken by pirates: their captives include a princess escaping her throne and a theatrical performer, Sylvester the Great, who is the king of the bad review. Skit-like adventures becomes episodic, and interest peaks and ebbs, but the presentation is hearty and some of the lines are very amusing. Victor McLaglen is wonderful as salty, bad-tempered pirate The Hook and Virginia Mayo works well with Hope and holds her own. Ultimately too long, and too silly for those not in the mood, but one of Bob Hope's better vehicles. ** from ****

A Bit Player From Paramount

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 30 March 2007]

The Princess and the Pirate finds Virginia Mayo taken prisoner by the infamous pirate the Hook played by Victor McLaglen. She's a princess who's run away to marry a commoner, a reverse on what had happened in the United Kingdom a few years back. Unfortunately the only help she can find is a ham actor who's running away from bad notices and bill collectors and he's none other than Bob Hope.

Hope did two films for Samuel Goldwyn and Goldwyn paid dear to Paramount for his services. Right after this film, success though it was, the price for Hope's services convinced Goldwyn he'd better sign a comedy star of his own as he had in the Thirties with Eddie Cantor. That was why Danny Kaye was brought over from New York to start his Hollywood career in Goldwyn's next film.

But The Princess and the Pirate turned out to be one of the biggest successes for both Sam Goldwyn and Bob Hope. Hope is really at the top of his game in this one. Virginia Mayo makes a perfect foil for Hope, it's a pity she didn't do more films with him. Walter Brennan plays an addled old pirate who's not quite as dumb as he lets everyone think he is and he and McLaglen compete with Hope for laughs.

The only one who looks like he's enjoying himself, but playing it very straight is crooked island governor Walter Slezak. He's got a working arrangement with McLaglen, but the two of them aren't above a little double cross.

Of course this is a Bob Hope movie and Hope manages to blunder his way through to survival. But as we learn he loses Mayo right at the end to a visiting bit player from Paramount.

Hope did make good on his word, he never did do another film for Goldwyn again. I guess he wanted to go out on a high note and The Princess and the Pirate is as high a comic note as Bob Hope ever struck in any of his films. Not to be missed by his legion of fans.

"If you don't tell anybody I'm not a gypsy, I won't tell anybody you're not an idiot."

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 14 June 2014]

Bob Hope plays a ham actor who rescues princess Virginia Mayo from pirates in this lively Technicolor comedy. Hope is very funny, as usual. Virginia Mayo is gorgeous. Technicolor always was her friend. There are some fine character actors in the cast like Victor McLaglen, Walter Slezak, and Walter Brennan. Everyone seems to be having a great time playing dress-up and acting silly. The costumes and set are nice. Did I mention the lovely Technicolor? Well I will again because I love me some Technicolor. It's just a wacky movie that doesn't take itself the least bit seriously. A good one to just sit back, watch, and forget your troubles for awhile. Fun for young and old alike.

Frenetic Hope Comedy.

[rmax304823 · 5/10 · 8 January 2009]

This is a splashy Technicolor comedy with Bob Hope as an impersonator on the run, Virginia Mayo as a kidnapped princess, Victor McLaglan as "The Hook", and Walter Slezak as the ruler of an island that serves as a pirate's rest stop.

It should be funnier than it is, and I was trying to figure out why it doesn't come off more satisfactorily than it does. It's certainly fast enough. Everyone seems to be running around, bellowing, and there are explosions and multiple sword fights, and a few minutes of romance. But it's not funny for the same reason that "Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd" isn't funny anymore. It's a child's idea of comedy in that it lacks any sophistication. I don't mean to be supercilious but kids laugh at things that don't demand much of them. Somebody takes a pratfall and a fifth-grader laughs. Kids don't need to know anything other than what they see happening on the screen.

What made the Road movies so funny was that there were pauses so that the audience could take a breath while Bing Crosby crooned a silly tune to Dorothy Lamour. And Hope and Crosby were constantly trying to outwit each other in ways both shameless and sly. When they had a friendly embrace and picked each other's pockets at the same time, we could identify with them, or at least with their desires. There was somebody for a grown up to ROOT for on the screen.

The Road team had a different set of writers -- Panama and Frank -- and they were better at giving Hope gags than the writers of "The Princess and the Pirate." Hope is given a couple of anachronistic wisecracks -- "made in Japan, eh?" -- but they don't save the day because the rest of the movie propels us at warp speed through the ludicrous plot. One of the more amusing scenes is a minor rip-off from the Marx Brothers' "Duck Soup." What's missing is the easy banter between Hope and Crosby, the more delicate touches provided for them. ("Delicate", here, being a relative term.) Hope on his own could be hilarious, as he was in "They Got Me Covered." Danny Kaye was making movies in this period that were just as funny and, like Hope, he always played the same character, but it was a different character: the shy, neurotic schlub. Hope always played the same part in the 1940s too -- the sniveling, greedy, libidinous coward -- but nobody was better at it. Woody Allen borrowed some of Hope's mannerisms for his own performances.

If you give Hope the right settings and the right gags he runs with the ball like nobody's business. But this part could have been done by almost any comic actor, maybe Red Skelton. "The Princess and the Pirate" was released in 1944. Hope had some splendid movies ahead of him. In the 1960s he was churning out one turkey after another. I suppose he must have enjoyed working. He surely didn't need the money by then. When he finally quit, he played golf, continued to make his well-known USO tours to troops overseas, and lived to a respectably old age. Not at all a bad career.

The Princess and the Pirate

[Coxer99 · 27 May 1999]

Loads of wacky fun in this costume comedy that features Hope and Mayo who try to elude "The Hook," played with devilish charm by Victor McLaglen. Great gags, rousing excitement and even a cameo by a crooner named Crosby.

Better than your usual Hope romp

[cutter-12 · 6/10 · 24 February 2006]

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.

Dated but funny in places

[jamesrupert2014 · 7/10 · 27 August 2018]

Typical Bob Hope shtick, he plays a fast-talking coward, this time with pirates. The script is predictable and not particularly witty, but Hope's outstanding timing and delivery makes up for weaknesses in the material. Virginia Mayo (the titular princess) looks great in period finery and a pirate outfit straight out of a Vargas pinup. Walter Brennen hams it up as loony-smart 'Featherhead', the pirate who cons Hope's "Sylvester Crosby" character (yes, there are lots of Bing jokes) into delivering a map to his brother in a particularly lawless nest of murderous scallywags. The film moves along at a brisk pace and the 'twist' ending is pretty funny. There are lots of 'in' jokes, mostly concerning Hope's frequent collaborator Bing Crosby and the studio deal that was struck to allow Hope to star in a Goldwyn production (Paramount got Gary Cooper for "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1943), which likely explains why Hope's character refers to "For Whom the Bell Tolls" at one point). I had to google a few of the expressions ("Ten, twenty, thirty" refers to "cheap and typically melodramatic theatrical entertainment"), but generally 'got' most of the mid-40's pop culture references. Not as good as the "Road to..." series but entertaining enough if you like Hope, pirates, or comedies from the era in general.

Top-notch Hope comedy, one of his best

[frankfob · 8/10 · 9 August 2004]

Bob Hope and Virginia Mayo star in this hilarious comedy about a tenth-rate actor who gets mixed up with beautiful women, corrupt politicians, pirates and treasure maps. Hope really looks like he's enjoying himself, and when you get a load of Virginia Mayo, you'll see why. She has never looked more ravishing--the gorgeous Technicolor photography actually works better for her than it did for Maureen O'Hara, who was known as "The Queen of Technicolor"--and shows an unexpected flair for comedy. Victor McLaglen seems to be having a blast as the evil pirate The Hook, Walter Slezak plays the crooked governor in another one of his fine oily villain performances, and Walter Brennan is a scream as a crazed pirate who takes a shine to Hope. Some hilarious comic routines--especially one where Hope pretends to be The Hook--and several surprisingly good action scenes, which you don't often see in comedies, make this one of Hope's best pictures without Bing Crosby (well, for the most part). Don't miss it.

Not one of Hope's best, but it has its moments!

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 5 March 2018]

Producer: Sam Goldwyn. Copyright 1 November 1944 by Sam Goldwyn's Regent Pictures, Inc. Released through RKO-Radio Pictures, Inc. U.S. release: 7 November 1944. New York opening at the Astor: 9 February 1945. U.K. release: 13 August 1945. Australian release: 19 April 1945. 8,662 feet. 95 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Pirates raid a packet ship. Among their prisoners are a fleeing princess and an inept quick-change artist.

NOTES: Nominated for prestigious Hollywood awards for Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (won by Max Steiner for Since You Went Away) and Best Art Direction in Color (won by Wiard Ihnen and Thomas Little for Wilson). With a rentals gross close to $4 million, number 7 at domestic ticket windows for 1944 (number 6 if the New York gross is included). Oddly, the movie failed to duplicate this success in the U.K., but in Australia it was a tremendous hit in 1945. Only one film, Going My Way, sold more tickets.

COMMENT: Although promisingly sandwiched between the princess (Virginia Mayo) and the pirate (Victor McLaglen - pronounced "Mack-Lock-Len" but you have to say it real fast), this outing is not one of Hope's funniest comedies, although it certainly rates as one of his most colorful. The screenwriters seem unable to make up their collective minds whether to go all out for a spoof, or just content themselves with slapstick, or even to throw a bit of genuine excitement into the pot. In any event, despite his barrage of non-stop verbal and visual gags, Hope often seems overwhelmed by the film's lush two-million-dollar production values.

Miss Mayo, on the other hand, suitably equipped with Louanne Hogan's singing voice, wafts through this Technicolor confection as to the manner born. Villains Walter Brennan, Victor McLaglen and Walter Slezak also have themselves a grand time as the heavies, while Hugo Haas takes full advantage of his laugh-making opportunities as the proprietor of the "Bucket of Blood". In fact Haas (as straight man) and Hope (as comic) make a great team, easily outshining the climactic teaming of Hope with Walter Slezak which I found a bit disappointing (particularly in view of Slezak's later full-bodied performance in Sindbad the Sailor).

BOB & VIRGINIA STORM THE SEAS OF LAUGHTER

[Robert_Wagner62 · 10/10 · 19 March 2003]

Bob Hope's classic Princess & the Pirate is a classic in so many ways, but the main thing is it's damn funny, and one line always comes to mind when I think of this movie, V. Mayo to Bob Hope: Why don't you die like a man, and Bob replies, because I'd rather live like a woman!

Says it all!

Good enough

[SanteeFats · 6/10 · 28 July 2013]

In this movie Bob Hope plays his traditional cowardly role, Virginia Mayo is a princess eloping to marry her true love (ha). She is captured by pirates (surprise, surprise) to be held for, what else(?) a kings ransom. Victor McLaglen is superb as the campy, over acting pirate captain. He ain't too smart in this one but he is good. Victor got a lot of character roles and usually of the same type, a semi-good natured man who you don't cross. He was in a lot of John Wayne movies, usually as a sergeant of some sort, and always did a great job. Walter Brennan plays Featherhead, an idiot type who taken one too many to the head, but Walter does it so well you don't realize just how good an actor he could be. Hope eventually gets the princess saved and all ends well.

Comedy swashbuckler without much swash

[SimonJack · 5/10 · 6 May 2017]

This is a fair Bob Hope comedy with the flavor of an old-fashioned swashbuckler. But for a couple of scenes showing ships under sail, one exchanging cannon fire, and Hope and Virginia Mayo in a small lifeboat, there is little seaworthiness about this film Most of the other shots were filmed on sets, and all of the sea action doesn't amount to even a quarter of the film. So, forget the swash.

There is no denying that Bob Hope was a great entertainer. But his peculiar type of comedy in many of his movies in the 1940s to 1960s is very dated. And, these many years later, it just isn't that funny. His technique may have been good for success then, but it's not conducive to posterity. And, I even wonder if it was necessary for his success then. Especially when one compares it alongside the comedy of so many other performers in the 1930s through the 1960s that still make us laugh today.

Bob, and his friend, Bing Crosby – when they worked together, liked to mug for the camera a lot. That was OK. But what locked them into a short span of time for humor, was their popping out of the movie's time frame to their present for a side comment or ad-lib. For instance, in "The Princess and the Pirate," Hope's Sylvester the Great lives in the days of sailing ships and pirates. His character, as a world traveler and entertainer is stretch enough, considering that time. And he does fine with his dialog until he pops out lines that jolt us out of the days of adventure on the high seas. An example is his referring to the Hook being able to open beer cans with his hook.

Such modernist deviations in the script may have tickled a funny bone or two in their day, but that day is long past and the humor with it. My five stars are for a good cast, with especially good performances by Walter Brennan as Featherhead and Victor McLaglen as Captain Barrett – The Hook.

Here are a couple funny lines from this film. See the Quotes section in the IMDb Web page of the film for more humorous dialog.

Featherhead (played by Walter Brennan), "You can't miss him. He looks just like me. He's twice as smart as I am. Sylvester, "Oh, a half-wit, huh?"

Princess Margaret (Virginia Mayo), "Sylvester, I'm ashamed of you. Why don't you die like a man?" Sylvester, "Because I'd rather live like a woman."

Bucket of Blood owner, "You sound like a stranger. You haven't lived very long in this town, huh?" Sylvester, "Does anybody?"

Love it

[artemis1044 · 10/10 · 4 October 2005]

I loved this movie. The first time I seen it I was a little girl. I have seen it a few times over the years and love it even more. Bob's comedy has never been surpass. Hollywood lost one of it's finest stars when he passed away. This is my all time favorite of Bob Hope's. The costume's are just beautiful. The other actors in this film were just as good. At the end when Bing Crosby shows up and gets the girls just makes me laugh. Poor Bob worked so hard and still Bing got the girls. Another movies that Bob was in that I recommend is: The Seven Little Foys,Casanova's Big Night, The Lemon Drop Kid, and the one he played the dentist in... (I cannot remember the name) But he sang the song Button and bows.

A Real Laugh Riot

[ldeangelis-75708 · 7/10 · 31 December 2022]

Bob Hope was at his comic best here, as actor Sylvester the Great, who gets mixed up with pirates and Margaret, an incognito princess named (Virginia Mayo), escaping from an arranged marriage. She's imprisoned by pirates, (managing to escape along with Sylvester) then later held for ransom by the governor (Walter Slezak), who knows her true identity. Meanwhile, Sylvester gets into one mess after another, with help from Featherhead (Walter Brennan), the ship's tattooist, who's not nearly as half-witted as people think. A lot of crazy things happen, like Sylvester impersonating the infamous pirate captain known as "the Hook" (Victor McLaglen) which includes a scene that'll remind Marx Brothers fans of "Duck Soup". And Bob is his usual witty self, like when he meets Margaret's father, the king, and asks "How's the queen and all the jacks", then claims he's a real card!

There's even a cameo by Bing Crosby!

Watch and have fun!

Never watch this movie with a history teacher!

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 4 January 2011]

Bob Hope plays a bad performer who is looking for a job in the New World. On the way there, the boat he's on is attacked by pirates and taken. Their prize is a runaway princess (Virginia Mayo). Although a thorough coward, Bob musters up the courage to help her escape. Now a pirate (Victor McLaglen) and corrupt governor (Walter Slezak) are out to find the girl and kill Hope. Can the pair manage to escape and avoid a horrid fate? Well, perhaps with the help of a crazy old coot (Walter Brennan) they can find a way.

I am a history teacher and seeing a movie with me can either be informative or annoying depending on your perspective. When I see films that are historically inaccurate, I tend to grumble and complain. When I see films that are completely ridiculous historically, I tend to REALLY complain and annoying people around me! As for "The Princess and the Pirate" I did NOT expect the film to be like a PBS documentary, but the film seems to bear absolutely no semblance to any pirates I ever read about and was a really silly little trifle. So, if you are historically-minded, DON'T watch this film--it will drive you crazy.

Now, if you can look past the historical inaccuracies and anachronisms, is the film worth seeing? Well,...maybe. If you adore Bob Hope and love anything he's in, then of course you should see the film. If you are looking for a comedy, well, this film suffers from one minor problem...it's not funny. It IS full of pretty costumes and very bright and garish colors but funny it ain't. Instead, it's as if they simply brought out the costumes and told Hope to 'just wing it'--doing his typical stand-up act filled with hit and miss (mostly miss) quips. And, as for Brennan, they told him to cackle insanely throughout the course of the film.

By the way, get a load of Slezak's skin-head wig. It's pretty bad...and in keeping with the rest of the film. And, after looking at the rest of the reviews I am apparently in the distinct minority and consider this to be among Hope's worst films...though it is pretty (when the DVD print is in focus--which was a problem now and again).