Early Bob Hope comedy, made before Paramount landed on his braggadocio/ cowardly comic character and was trying him out in a few comic romances (with music) against the very physical Martha Raye in her brief top-billed heyday. As a twosome, they’re chalk & cheese (she works too hard; he floats), but for some reason, this one really comes off. Hope, an Ensign on the same boat as brother Jack Whiting, his superior officer, is coming into port on leave to propose to Betty Grable. And brother Jack’s got the same idea. On to Plan B: Lob off Betty’s Plain Jane sister Martha Raye as consolation prize with benefits in her excellent cooking. Thin material, for sure, but a double gimmick with national contests in cooking and ‘gams,’ Raye wins ‘em both, provides plenty of comic opportunities.* Raye, more restrained than usual, has some inspired shtick in the kitchen and a chance to stretch her significant pipes; Hope, charming & fresh. With Grable moving a career step up given a chance to show her dance form while B’way regular Jack Whiting gets a rare film outing to display his goods. (He’s the real deal; handsome, too. Wonder why he didn’t catch on?) A time waster, but a pleasant one, and probably the best of the Raye/Hope pics. Bob would find his true form next year in THE CAT AND THE CANARY/’39, with the more appropriate Paulette Goddard, and never look back.
SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: * Considering how iconic Grable’s legs would become over the war, having Raye win a contest for ‘Best Legs’ in a film co-staring Grable is ironic.
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