Films

Bachelor in Paradise (MGM 1961)

Lana and Bob Hope in 1961's "Bachelor in Paradise".

Release Date: November 1, 1961.

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Bob Hope, Janis Paige, Jim Hutton, *Virginia Grey

Directed by: Jack Arnold

Writing Credits: Vera Caspary (story), Valentine Davis and Hal Kanter (screenplay)

Produced by: Ted Richmond

Original Music by: Henry Mancini

Cinematography by: Joseph Ruttenburg

Synopsis: When writer A.J. Niles gets into trouble with back taxes, he and his publisher decide that he can quickly write a novel about life in the suburbs by moving into a little housing community called "Paradise Cove". Their brilliant idea almost turns into a disaster for all involved when all the lonely wives in the neighborhood take a liking to him.

My Review: While I am not usually a fan of Bob Hope, I really got a kick out of this one. One doesn't think of Bob Hope and Lana as being able to make it work together but they do. Bob Hope, as usual, plays Bob Hope except that this time around he plays Bob Hope playing a womanizer. Lana makes the most out of an underwritten part (her character is a bit "one note") and she has more physical things to do here than she had done in a long time (bowling, pushing a shopping cart, doing a drunken hula dance, and in one memorable scene even climbing out of a window!) and it's refreshing to see perfectly coiffed and gowned "Lana" letting her hair down and letting go a bit. A good effort.

*Lana's longtime friend Virginia Grey also has a role in the film as one of the lonely wives of Paradise Cove. Grey and Lana had been friends since the late 1930's when they were both starlets at MGM. Over the years, liquor and circumstances had caused great damage to Grey's career and Lana always tried to help her old friend when she was down and out. Virginia Grey pops up in a lot of Lana Turner films and Lana fans will remember that Grey played the character that convinced the lonely Holly to go to Phil Benton's party in 1966's Madame X.

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

 

Photo Gallery

The cast of "Bachelor in Paradise" goes Hawaiian. 1961    Lana and Bob Hope on a trip to the grocery store in 1961'a "Bachelor in Paradise". Lou Valentino Collection    A lobby card for 1961's "Bachelor In Paradise".    A lobby card for 1961's "Bachelor In Paradise".    Lana and Bob Hope discuss it over cocktails in 1961's "Bachelor in Paradise".

 

 

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