Nothing but the Truth

The comedic trio of Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard and Willie Best reprise their partnership from THE GHOST BREAKERS in this screen adaptation of the perennial play. Everyone is fine in their roles and Paramount has mounted an impressive cast in support. The story is an amusing one and the writers have made some interesting choices in updating it to 1941 -- although they use the nominally Floridan setting of the movie to minimal effect. Most of the work of covering the show's stage origins is managed by fast cuts and frequent point of view changes. More than good enough.

However, while this is an amusing comedy and well performed at good speed, by a capable crew, it's not what I look for in a Bob Hope movie: I want Bob Hope, that fast-talking, cowardly, lecherous fellow given to asides. It was always a wonderful comic persona and he played it beautifully in many movies. Not in this movie, though, so if that's what you're looking for, you won't find it here. Even though you will find a few laughs along the way.

Bob Hope, paulette goddard! Both giant stars from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s. Fundraising shenanigans! Mister big shot ralston promises gwen big bucks if she can hit the fundraising goals. But behind the scenes, he works against her. Can steve bennett outwit those trying to trick him? None of it really makes sense, but just go with the story. And it does... sort of. Released october, 1941, just prior to world war two. Keep an eye out for clarence kolb... he was always the scheming, evil, bad guy in the background. It's pretty good. Directed by elliott nugent. Hope had already had big success with his films, quick thinking on his feet.

This is Hope's and Goddard's third and final comedy together. Similar to the musical NO, NO NANETTE it is the story of Hope who makes a bet he can say the truth for twenty-four hours. If he is successful, he wins a large sum of money that he has lost, given to him for safe keeping by Paulette.

In the attempt to get him to say the truth there are all sorts of situations and people who become involved with his escapades.

TRUTH is a wonderful screwball comedy, directed by Elliott Nugent, and the team of Hope and Goddard, fresh from CAT AND THE CANARY and THE GHOST BREAKERS, all big hits, once more brought the two stars together. They worked well together and were both by now reaching the top of their careers.

The story, however, didn't do much. Much too much the same thing about tricking Hope to say the truth. Some funny scenes where Hope, in drag, tries to sneak out of Goddard's state room on board the yacht they were guests. Some funny scenes between Hope and Willie Best, that wonderful black actor, fresh from their work together in GHOST BREAKERS, as Hope's sidekick.

Also in the cast are Edward Arnold and Leif Erickson.

This 1941 Paramount comedy is available on VHS.

Steve Bennett, a new recruit on a brokerage firm in Miami, gets an interesting proposal from Gwen Saunders. She has ten thousand dollars that belong to a charity organization and wants Steve to double the money because her uncle, who is the head of the firm will double the amount if it is done properly. At the same time, his new boss and his inner group make Steve a counter proposal if he will not lie once during the weekend.

This funny Paramount comedy of 1941 was a vehicle for Bob Hope, who at the time was at one of the best moments of his career. It helps that he was paired, once again with the gorgeous Paulette Goddard, who had been his screen partner before to excellent results. Both Mr. Hope and Ms. Goddard do fine work as they show a natural talent for this type of comedy. Others in the cast included Edward Arnold, Leif Ericson, Glenn Anders and Grant Mitchell.

"Nothing But the Truth" was directed by Elliott Nugent who paced the comedy at the right speed making one of Mr. Hope's best film appearances.

The third and final teaming of Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard occurred with Nothing But The Truth, an ancient Broadway chestnut by James Montgomery that ran for 332 performances in 1916-17. There were two previous films made of this comedy, one in Sweden and the other in France.

As this was done during World War I, I'm betting that a great deal had to be modernized to get it up to 1941 speed. It must have been quite the stage farce in its day. It bares a great deal of similarity to No No Nanette and that shouldn't surprise because the guy who produced it on Broadway was the same Harry Frazee who sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees from the Red Sox to get the dough.

Just as Nanette was on a 24 hour bet to not say yes, Bob Hope is on a bet with Edward Arnold, Glenn Anders, and Leif Erickson to tell Nothing But The Truth from 4 pm. to 4 pm. It's a little sticky though because Hope didn't bet with his money, he bet with Paulette Goddard's and Goddard is Arnold's niece. To make sure Hope hews to the truth, the three men stick to him like flypaper, even as they're all invited to spend time on Clarence Kolb's yacht.

The bulk of the film takes place on the yacht and I imagine it was the same on stage. Glenn Anders's wife Rose Hobart is there and so is his mistress Helen Vinson which gives him a scary moment or two. All in all it's rather impossible to describe the proceedings, but the lines and situations come out of nowhere.

Funniest performance in the film for me is visiting psychiatrist Leon Belasco who catches Hope in a few compromising positions and is ready and willing to offer his services to what will be a fascinating patient.

But the whole cast does well and Paramount did well by the box office with Nothing But The Truth. It holds up very well today and could even use a remake. I can see Steve Martin doing a modern version.