Appelez-moi chef

"Call Me Bwana" is not a terrible film...and considering the sort of terrible movies Bob Hope was making in the 1960s and early 70s, this is saying a lot! Movies like "Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number", "How to Commit Marriage" and "The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell" simply were NOT funny and it seemed as if Hope was simply going through the motions...so I had extremely low expectations for "Call Me Bwana". In many ways, the film was exactly what I expected....it wasn't funny. But, on the other, it did have nice production values and the story wasn't horrible!

The story begins with a moon probe going off course on its return to Earth. Somehow, it ended up landing in the middle of no where in Africa and the US government go to Matt (Hope) to ask this famous adventurer to retrieve it. However, Matt is full of hot air and has made up his tales of adventure and is a complete phony. At the same time, the Soviets have sent out a sexy spy (Anita Ekberg) and her assistant (Lionel Jeffries). And, since Matt is an idiot, he invites these two to accompany him. Can Matt find the probe...and can he prevent these two from getting to it first?

This one has 'time-passer' written all over it. There are a few parts that are even ALMOST funny...and Hope fans might enjoy it. All others, just watch his earlier films...your brain will thank you for it.

A US space probe returns from the moon and lands in Africa. The Americans call upon successful author Bob Hope (as Matthew "Matt" Merriwether) to retrieve the capsule, due to his books detailing the continent. He reluctantly answers his country's request, but Mr. Hope is a fraud; he's never been to Africa. The Russians are also interested in retrieving the probe. They send bosomy anthropologist Anita Ekberg (as Luba) to Africa, because she is "well equipped" to seduce Hope. Hope's traveling partner is attractive Edie Adams (as Frederica "Fred" Larsen) while Ms. Ekberg is accompanied by doctor "father" Lionel Jeffries (as Ezra Mungo).

This could have been a fine Bob Hope movie, with more effort. It was produced by the team behind the "James Bond" series; however, it appears to be more cheaply made. The scenes taking place in Africa are obviously edited in; certainly, Hope and the cast did not go on location. This can work in comedy. However, this time it just looks cheap. The soundtrack is good, but becomes annoyingly repetitive. As a film, "Call me Bwana" appears to have been fully conceived during post-production...

Hope was, by the 1960s, photographed with a shadow covering his head. This was the same shadow that was found over Joan Crawford's neck. In most films, Hope can be seen moving slightly out of the shadow's range. In this film, he is often way out of range - and can be seen with his colored, thinning hair. Even in the more harsh light, Hope's hair looks relatively nice, especially when compared to the full, obvious wigs his contemporaries were now wearing...

Hope's comic persona and delivery make scenes like his arrival in Africa amusing. His topical humor does not age well, but students of history will recognize good fun poked at chair-rocking John F. Kennedy and shoe-pounding Nikita Khrushchev. A surreal encounter with golfing pal Arnold Palmer works as an "inside joke" - with some amusing bits for the uninitiated.

**** Call Me Bwana (6/5/63) Gordon Douglas ~ Bob Hope, Anita Ekberg, Edie Adams, Lionel Jeffries

Lots of one-liners by Bob Hope, in this film produced by Albert Broccoli, who did all the early James Bond movies. Acc to IMDb, this was the second film produced by Eon productions. The credits don't list who does the voices for John Kennedy or Kruschev at the opening, but clearly its a reflection of the politics of the day. The basic premise is that one of our space ships has gone astray, and landed in Africa. To save face, the U.S. must be the first to find it, so they hire African expert Matthew Merriwether (Bob Hope). Co-stars Anita Ekberg, Edie Adams, and Lionel Jeffries round out the cast. Viewers will recognize Jeffries, who played the grandfather in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This film is very similar to Hope's "Road" movies with Bing, but moves slower. The good thing is... NO SONGS! and a five minute bit with a 30-something Arnold Palmer. Palmer had just won the 1961 And 1962 British Open. I can see why Broccoli wanted to do this project... lots of spies, intrigue, and exotic "foreign" locations, just like a James Bond flick. A fun way to kill some time. Not as bad as some others have thought....it's a lightweight Bob Hope comedy, after all.

A U. S. Capsule has returned from the moon and inadvertently landed in Africa. Naturally, the president only wants the most knowledgeable and brave explorer to retrieve it before others claim salvage rights, Matthew Merriweather (Bob Hope).

The other leader banging a shoe on the table also wants the capsule and sends a noted anthropologist (Anita Ekberg) to use Merriweather to obtain the prize.

In reality, Matthew has never been to Africa. His book is a rehash of his uncle's adventures.

You get the idea. Beautiful women, rough elephants, wild natives, and Arnold Palmer.

Gordon Douglas also directed "Them!" (1954) so he is no stranger to wild creatures. And from the rich background of the driving scenes, you would never guess that it was filmed in Pinewood Studios.

Look this movie is a comedy that has a value today more as a remembrance of the type of fluff Hollywood produced in the early '60s. This film is watchable, but it isn't a classic. It has some funny gags, but not the best plot. It's something about a lost satellite in Africa, and once the leads get there it moves along briskly. It's very reminiscent of the 'Road to ...' movies, although this one doesn't have Crosby. It offers Ekberg who worked w/ Abbott & Costello AND with Lewis and Martin. The woman knows comedy and plays off Hope well. There are A lot of worse films to watch, and this does offer a good remembrance of the time once known as Camelot w/ its jokes about the Kennedy family.