The Road to Hong Kong (1962)

March 29, 1962 (US) • Comedy, Adventure, Music, Science Fiction • 91m

Overview

When Chester accidentally memorises and destroys the only copy of a secret Russian formula for a new and improved rocket fuel, he and Harry are thrust into international intrigue, trying to stay alive while keeping the formula out of enemy hands.

Director

Norman Panama

Writers

Melvin Frank, Norman Panama

Top Billed

Bing Crosby

Keywords

musical hong kong black and white buddy comedy world domination russian spy adventure comedy rocket fuel

Where to watch

Check streaming options on TMDB

Top Billed Cast

Bing Crosby

Harry Turner

Bob Hope

Chester Babcock

Joan Collins

Diane

Robert Morley

Leader of the 3rd Echelon

Walter Gotell

Dr. Zorbb

Felix Aylmer

Grand Lama

Alan Gifford

American Official

Michel Mok

Undetermined Role (as Michele Mok)

Katya Douglas

3rd Echelon Receptionist

Roger Delgado

Jinnah

Robert Ayres

American Official

Mei Ling

Ming Toy

Jacqueline Jones

Blonde at Airport

Yvonne Shima

Dorothy Lamour

Peter Sellers

Indian Neurologist (uncredited)

David Niven

Lama Remembering Lady Chatterly's Lover (uncredited)

Dean Martin

Grape on Plutomium (uncredited)

Frank Sinatra

Twig on Plutomium (uncredited)

Dave King

Mr. Ahso (uncredited)

Pat O'Brien

Chinese Restaurateur (uncredited)

Peter Madden

Lama Slim (uncredited)

Bob Simmons

Astronaut (uncredited)

Nosher Powell

Astronaut (uncredited)

Tutte Lemkow

Hotel Servant (uncredited)

Robin Hughes

American Official (uncredited)

Harry Baird

Nubian at Lamasary (uncredited)

Roy Patrick

Leader's Man(uncredited)

Victor Brooks

Leader's Man (uncredited)

John Dearth

Leader's Man (uncredited)

Jerry Colonna

Man Looking For Match (uncredited)

Edwina Carroll

Girl (uncredited)

Sheree Winton

Girl (uncredited)

Crew

Alan Osbiston

Editor

Melvin Frank

Writer

John C. Smith

Editor

Robert Farnon

Original Music Composer

Melvin Frank

Producer

Sally Nicholl

Casting

Maurice Fowler

Set Decoration

William Hutchinson

Art Direction

Anthony Mendleson

Costume Design

Norman Panama

Director

Roger K. Furse

Production Design

Syd Cain

Art Direction

John Victor-Smith

Editor

Norman Panama

Writer

Pamela Davies

Continuity

Sammy Cahn

Songs

Bill Kirby

Production Supervisor

Gerry Fisher

Camera Operator

Jimmy Van Heusen

Songs

Bluey Hill

Assistant Director

Bob Jones

Sound

Joan White

Hairstylist

Chris Greenham

Sound Editor

David Aylott

Makeup Artist

Angela Martelli

Continuity

Lee Doig

Music Editor

Buster Ambler

Sound

Wally Veevers

Special Effects

Ted Samuels

Special Effects

Maurice Binder

Main Title Designer

Jack Hildyard

Director of Photography

Michael Walter

Key Grip

Basil Mannin

Set Dresser

Ray Thorne

Assistant Editor

Collection

Road to... Collection

Road to Zanzibar

Road to Utopia

Road to Morocco

Road to Bali

The Road to Hong Kong

Road to Singapore

Road to Rio

Reviews

John Chard

⭐ 7/10

July 28, 2019

The Seventh Voyage of Bing and Bob.

The Road to Hong Kong is the seventh and final film in the "Road To" series of films starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. It's directed by Norman Panama and Panama co-writes the screenplay with Melvin Frank. Music is by Robert Farnon and cinematography is by Jack Hildyard. Plot pitches Hope and Crosby in the middle of a mistaken identity scenario and thus mixed up with an organisation intent on world domination via the moon!

There had been a ten year gap since The Road to Bali was released in 1952, but such was the success and popularity of the series the boys were once again trundled out for one last "Road To" hurrah. Behind the scenes squabbles and stipulations tainted it some what, most notably the shunting out of the way of the series' previously leading lady Dorothy Lamour (who ends up making an extended cameo), who was replaced by a youthful Joan Collins. So with some scratchy back history and a word of mouth reputation as the worst of the series, with claims of the dynamic duo being too old and long past their best, The Road to Hong Kong must be a stinker then? Right? Actually no.

Sure it lacks some of the energised nuttiness of previous instalments, but this definitely isn't a stinker. Yes the boys are a bit long in the tooth, and Collins, whilst no Lamour in screen presence and chemistry value with the duo, is sexy, spunky and grounds some of the more older frayed edges. The sci-fi plot is delightfully bonkers, very much capturing the space age zeitgeist of the 60s, and there's a whole bunch of great gags as usual (my favourite is about an elephant thermometer). Not all the intended humourous scenes work, but most do, while there's even a quite surreal one involving banana feeding machines! Bonus sees a cameo from the great Peter Sellers as his patented Indian Doctor, a scene where you can see Bing and Bob looking on and thinking the torch is being passed, while a strong support cast includes Robert Morley, Walter Gotell and Felix Aylmer. Funky opening credit sequences as well!

Worst in the series? Well that's a harsh statement, more like it's a lesser light than the rest it is probably more fairer to say, but it's a fun film that adds weight to what fine entertainment value Bing and Bob were. 6.5/10

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Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

$2,000,000

Revenue

$5,200,000

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The Road to Hong Kong (1962)

Melvin Frank, Norman Panama

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Collection

Road to... Collection

Road to Zanzibar

Road to Utopia

Road to Morocco

Road to Bali

The Road to Hong Kong

Road to Singapore

Road to Rio

Reviews

John Chard

Recommended Movies

Moana

Moana 2

KPop Demon Hunters

The Lion King

Status

Original Language

Budget

Revenue

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