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Where There's Life
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by Universal Studios
Sales Rank: 38435
Price: $14.98
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This film has non stop action from beginning to end. In the far off kingdom of Bavoria, shots ring out in the crowd, seriously injuring the king. The only heir to the throne is an American by the name of Michael Valentine, who has never heard of Bavoria--enter Bob Hope. Bob Hope portrays Michael Valentine, a disc jockey that known for his radio ads for dog food. All he has on his mind is his upcoming marriage and the honeymoon to follow. Little does he know that General Grimovitch (a lovely female) has been sent to bring him to Bavoria to claim the throne. Nor does he know that the underground group wanting to take over the kingdom, doesn't want him to claim the throne. The poor fellow doesn't know what's going on, who to believe. He has a general telling him he must claim the throne to save the country, revolutionaries out for his blood, and if that wasn't enough, his fiancee's brother doesn't take kindly to Michael not showing up for the wedding and doesn't believe a word about kidnapping, kingdom or killers. Hope handles all these dilemmas in his typical fashion, with lots of ad libs and laugh. This is a great film to sit down with the family, so grab the popcorn, pepsi and dim the lights and enjoy this film.
Viewer Reviews
In his long film career comedian Bob Hope always appeared in movies with vastly different settings whether it be in the Wild West, Haunted Houses, or the Spanish Main however never once did he stray too far from his well known characterisation of the lovable, fast talking coward caught up in a situation he'd rather not be part of. "Paramount's "Where There's Life", from 1947 continues that winning formula where Bob plays Michael Valentine a fast talking late night Disc Jockey who's claim to fame is peddling a certain brand of dog food on air who it is discovered is the long lost heir to a kingdom somewhere in Europe who might just be in need of his services. The hilarity of Hope as the wise guy suddenly finding himself the centre of international intrigue complete with cold blooded spies, kidnapping attempts, and a coldly efficient but nevertheless seductive female General makes for very enjoyable viewing with enough of the trademark Hope quips to satisfy most movie and comedy lovers.
As the story begins we see an assassination attempt carried out on the ruler of the small European kingdom(William Edmunds), who is just announcing the countries first democratic election. However a secret organisation called the "Mordia", is out to sabotage the election and take control of the country. Keeping the kings real condition a secret until after the election it is discovered that the king was secretly married on a state visit to America many years before and that he has a son, who is o fcourse Michael Valentine (Bob Hope). The group decide to bring Valentine to Barovia by fair means or foul so that he can quickly ascend the throne if the king should die. Michael meanwhile is signing off on his last night on air before he finally marries long time fiancee Hazel (Vera Marshe). The Barovia officials led by the coldly efficient Gen. Katrina Grimovitch (Signe Hasso), get to him first however and successfully kidnap him and prepare to return to Barovia. With a gun in his back the group board a plane only to have it shot at by the Mordia and so the group is forced to stay in New York over night. What develops is an hilarious series of incidents as the Mordia set out to make sure that Michael doesn't get to Barovia alive. He is shot at through windows,has knives thrown at him, is abducted by the Mordia who then draw lots to see who will finish him off. Along the way through this crazy chase Gen. Grimovitch, a la "Ninotchka", begins to reveal her feminine side and she and Michael fall in love. To add to Michael's "wanted man", status Hazel's furious brother New York Cop Victor O'Brien (William Bendix), is also in pursuit of him and is just as intent as the Mordia in claiming Michael's "scalp" for leaving his sister Hazel at the altar. Michael can't get anyone to believe his incredible stories of people trying to kill him and after he and Gen Grimovitch have been chased through half of New York and are on a plane to Barovia the Mordia make one last attemt on his life which happily fails when it is revealed that the king is recovering from his assassination attempt and Michael is not needed afterall. The fade out sees Michael acquiring a lady rather than a kingdom in the form of his former kidnapper Gen Grimovitch who declares her love for the jittery Dog Food Disc Jockey.
Throughout the highly unlikely set of events in "Where There's Life", you never for one moment are allowed to forget that this is first and foremost a Bob Hope vehicle which is half the fun of the comic's films. In between attempts on his life the famous trademark quips and ad libs come fast and furious and there is even enough time in one frantic chase sequence for Hope to have a not so subtle but good natured dig at pal Bing Crosby when seeing the famous crooners photo on a billboard he declares to Gen Grimovitch that "he's just a singer who would be before your time". Signe Hasso as the Ninotchka like general in charge of getting Michael to Barovia seems at times an odd choice as a Bob Hope leading lady however she has her best scenes when she is playing the general in a serious deadpan style that combines well with Hope's comic observations . William Bendix as the eternally upset potential brother in law to Michael is also very amusing in his dilemma at the seemingly incredible excuses Michael has for disappearing bodies and people supposedly out to kill him who never seem to be around when he is there. His best scene is when he discovers Gen. Grimovitch in Michael's apartment and seeing her dressed only in a night shirt after she has lost her clothes down the dumb waiter has a hard time believing Michael's once again true but seemingly preposterous story. Veteran bad guy and Hope film regular George Zucco also scores well as Paul Stertorius, the head of the Barovian Embassy who is not all he seems to be. Director Sidney Lanfield has the good sense to let this film just run at its own pace with not alot of time devoted to deep characterisation but with enough fast moving action to hold the interest between Hope's hilarious one liners.
For a dose of great if not classic Bob Hope craziness "Where There's Life", makes amusing viewing and shows Hope in a tailormade role ideally suited to his talents. Hope's talent was really one of a kind based on using a script throughly sprinkled with much adlibbing that gave alot of his films of this time a fast moving and lively quality not seen in a lot of comedies these days. Try and catch Bob Hope up to his eye balls in international intrigue in the fast paced "Where There's Life", soon.
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Where There's Life
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