Bob Hope and Jane Russell make a mismatched couple in The Paleface (1948), but that situation only adds another level of humor to this very funny film. The Paleface, also starring Robert Armstrong, Iris Adrain and iron Eyes Cody, is a classic for a good reason. Someone breaks Calamity Jane (Russell) out of jail, but it's the good guys who want to recruit her for a special assignment - to find out who's smuggling guns to the Indians. In exchange, she'll receive a full pardon for her crimes.

Jane Russell & Bob Hope

At first reluctant, Jane ultimately embraces the plan to have her join a wagon train masquerading as the wife of a secret agent. But Jane finds the man murdered and has to go it alone. Or does she?

"Painless" Peter Potter (Hope) is a dentist of dubious skill with a mail-order degree, and he's run out of town after he pulls the wrong tooth of a particularly disgruntled patient. Through an accident of circumstance, Jane stows away in Painless's wagon. She bamboozles him into marrying her and joining the wagon train heading West even though he longs for his Eastern home. Sounds like the lead up to a song? Sure is. We're treated to Hope's rendition of Buttons and Bows. A pure joy.

When the wagon train is attacked, Jane's sharpshooting deceives Painless and the others into believing Painless is a hero. And now the villains believe he's a threat to them. Wrong in both cases. But this confusion only leads to more funny stuff.

It's not giving away the predictable ending by saying that eventually the bad guys are caught, and everyone lives happily ever after. And even the viewer will walk away with a smiley face.

The acting is adequate, and costumes by Mary Kay Dodson are nice, but it's Hope's impeccable timing delivering the witty dialog and the comical sight gags that make The Paleface a great comedy. The songs are terrific and the film won an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans for the song "Buttons and Bows."

One caveat, however. This film, more than 50 years old, reflects what today would be considered a politically incorrect attitude toward Native Americans. Enjoy the film with the kids and take opportunity to explain how attitudes have changed.

Universal's Bob Hope: Thanks for the Memories gift box collection also includes, The Cat and the Canary, Road to Morocco, Thanks For The Memory, The Ghost Breakers and Nothing but the Truth.

Special Features:

• Sing-Along with Bob Hope singing Buttons and Bows
• Command Performance, 1945 - a short feature starring Bob Hope, which was filmed to be sent to the troops, produced by Army-Navy Screen Magazine.
• Photo Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer

Director: Norman Z. McLeod

Screenplay: Edmund L. Hartman and Frank Tashlin

Cast:   Bob Hope, Jane Russell

Rating: Not rated. Suitable for all audiences.

Classic Movie Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

DVD Release Date: 6/28/2010

Run Time: 91 minutes

Studio:   Paramount Pictures

Format:   Color, full frame

Photo credits: Paramount Pictures

Read Marilyn's reviews of:

Thanks For The Memory

Road to Morocco