Monsieur Beaucaire

Vintage Hope. Easy to see why Woody Allen copied his style.

Loosely based on the Booth Tarkington novel, the story is about how the King of Spain offers his daughter's hand in marriage to a noble in the King of France's court, and the French king accepts. Problem: a general in Spain hopes to sabotage this marriage and usurp the Spanish throne. Hope is a bumbling royal barber who pursues an uninterested royal scullery maid, and his bumbling eventually gets both into serious trouble. The French noble who is due to go to Spain and marry the princess, however, rescues the barber with the idea of counteracting the plot against him, and the barber bumbles his way through that. Hope makes his wisecracks and does physical comedy without being too silly. Costumes and settings are exquisite, though the sword fighting scenes are disappointing. Still very funny entertainment.

Hope has fun with politics in period costume yet again. Shall we say his humor is nicely trimmed here (as a tip-off to what role he has)?

Mistaken identity is the basis of this ultra lightweight comedy, starring the indelible Bob Hope, where the one-liners lack the punch they no doubt had in its initial release way back in 1946. This plot fizzles when compared to the standards of today and lacks memorable moments. For fans of Bob Hope only.

Very enjoyable Bob Hope comedy, good cast, fine costumes and a very funny screenplay. Fine supporting cast, some great one liners, very much in Mr. Hope's style of humor.