Bob Hope & Bing Crosby’s 7 Road Movies, Ranked Worst To Best

Some double acts have had such an impact that they will never be forgotten. Laurel and Hardy, Lemon and Matthau, and Key and Peele have etched their names in the history books, some of the best couples of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Then, there are those lesser-known actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood who have created some fantastic moments together but may live on in a hazy memory that is revisited from time to time. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope were huge stars in their own right and are probably best remembered for their solo achievements. Crosby white christmas is repeated every year during the holidays, and Hope is still considered one of the best Academy Awards presenters ever.

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When they joined forces in On the way to… series of films, created the kind of cinematic magic that old Hollywood comedies can produce. With plenty of laughs and the glamorous addition of Dorothy Lamour, these comedies were more than just for laughs. They offered witty satire of popular films of the time, made several humorous references to other famous actors, and had Hope break the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly for comedic effect. The series was extremely popular with audiences and an eighth film was planned, but had to be scrapped due to Crosby’s sad passing.

7 Road to Hong Kong (1962)

Two scammers and a cameo

The last in the series, it was the only film not made with Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Norman Panama and, along with the three regulars, starred Joan Collins and Peter Sellers. The theme seemed very much an homage to the James Bond-style spy genre, but it predated 007’s first official appearance on film in Dr. No, which came out later that same year. The production was tinged with a bit of negativity as Bing Crosby thought Dorothy Lamour was too old to play a leading lady at 48, which is why Collins was hired. Bob Hope said he wouldn’t do the movie without her, so she came on board for a musical cameo as a kind of compromise.

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The film was not as well received as the previous installments, possibly due to the 10-year gap between this film and the previous one. Lamour’s absence could really be felt in the dynamic, and the older stars were overshadowed by some of the newcomers. It has a score of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is the lowest in the series. It included some impressive cameos, most notably one from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

6 Road to Bali (1952)

Two friends from show business and a princess

The first and only film in the series filmed in glorious Technicolor, the sixth installment focused on a love triangle between the three protagonists, set on an island paradise. Hal Walker directed it and the exotic setting had very impressive color. There’s a giant squid, a Jane Russell cameo, and quite a few fourth wall breaks. Hope hilariously encourages viewers to buy popcorn while Crosby sings, and the singer enjoys his own shrug moment at the camera.

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The film did well at the box office, earning $3 million and has a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the chemistry between the three actors and it features one of the funniest endings in the franchise. As Bing Crosby leaves not only with Lamour’s character but also with Jane Russell, Bob Hope is left pleading with the director not to let the film end. This final breaking of the fourth wall was very well executed and ensures that viewers leave the experience with a big smile on their faces.

5 Road to Zanzibar (1941)

Two scammers and a beautiful woman

Directed by the prolific Victor Schertzinger, this is the second installment in the seven-part series. The central theme of this musical comedy is the popular safari genre of the time. So much so that the original draft of the film was considered too similar to a 1939 film, so it was revised as a parody of sorts. Building on the success of the first film, the trio returned for another outing. With a heavy emphasis on jokes and pranks, rather than a coherent plot, the characters jump from one situation to another through song, dance, and laughter.

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The various twists involving multiple layers of deception and trust schemes make for a fun watch, but time has not been kind to some of the themes and attempts at humor. This is a common thread in all the films, to varying degrees, so viewers should be prepared to depict a very different time in history. It has a score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and was a huge success at the box office.

4 Road to Morocco (1942)

Two castaways and a princess

The third film in the series was released just a year after its predecessor. It was the fourth highest-grossing film of 1942 and was chosen for preservation in the US National Film Registry for its cultural significance. Focusing on the popular theme of shipwrecks and castaways, as well as some real intrigue, it co-stars Anthony Quinn and Dona Drake. It received the best reviews to date and audiences couldn’t get enough of its three stars.

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With a score of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film also received two Oscar nominations, including one for Best Original Screenplay. He also had a big hit with one of the songs on the soundtrack, like The moonlight suits you well was a number one hit on Billboard for Bing Crosby. He also broke boundaries with one of the first interracial romantic kisses on screen.

3 Road to Singapore (1940)

Two playboys and a beautiful dancer

Kicking off the series in style, this crazy movie was a great introduction to what was to come. It set up some of the recurring jokes that became a staple in later outings. There was a joke about Bing Crosby’s waist, a prelude to a fistfight and handicap that is the cause of much of the action. It also started the trend of Hope and Crosby improvising many of their scenes. Anthony Quinn also co-starred and Victor Schertzinger directed, both of whom would return for later productions.

There’s something special about watching the relationships and chemistry develop between the three actors, and it’s clear to see the magic that was being created on screen. The film had rave reviews and was an immediate success, leaving audiences wanting more. What they didn’t know at the time was that they would receive the gift of six more films. He has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has the honor of being the one who started it all.

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2 Road to Rio (1947)

Two vaudevillians and a hypnotized niece

Set on the high seas, the installment directed by Norman McLeod is the fifth in the franchise. With character names including Scat Sweeney and Hot Lips Barton, they are some of the most entertaining Crosby and Hope have played. With the plot involving the use of hypnosis through nefarious means, some very mysterious documents and another cameo from Jerry Collona. It also saw Bob Hope and Bing Crosby co-produce the film.

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He received an Academy Award nomination for his music and has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It is also one of the highest-grossing films in the franchise, having grossed $4.5 million at the box office. It proved that not only do the movies still draw huge crowds, but the dynamic trio hasn’t lost any of its luster. Critics applauded the riotous comedic moments as well as the uproarious musical numbers.

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1 Road to Utopia (1945)

Two vaudeville performers and a lounge singer.

Imitating the gold rush film genre, the three protagonists head to Alaska at the beginning of the century. The fourth in the series, it aptly begins with a fourth wall break and an introduction by iconic satirist Robert Benchley. He explained that he was there to help understand the convoluted plot, which was an obvious play on the films’ outlandish premises. With themes including a flashback, a cliffhanger, and even a visit from Santa Claus, this is a non-stop action-adventure rollercoaster.

There are some aspects of the movie that aren’t in line with the others in the series, but those are the parts that make it so special. It’s the only one that takes place in the past, the only one that shows the characters as themselves, and the only one that doesn’t include a real location in its title. The eighth film scrapped would have been the second, with the working title of Road to the Fountain of Youth.

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The musical numbers soar and the dynamic between Bing Crosby and Bob Hope is at its best. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, written by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama. What’s also interesting is that it was filmed three years before its release, which could leave room for Crosby’s own Oscar campaign. It has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is one of the highest rated and highest grossing of all.

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