Search - Son of Paleface on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children, Adult Humor Movie Release: 1952 DVD Release: 11/21/2000 Format: DVD Edition: Restored/Remastered,Special Collection Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 35 mins Studio: BCI, a Navarre Corporation Company Total Copies: 3 Genres: Comedy, Satire, Comedy of Errors, Comedy Western

A sequel to Bob Hope's 1948 box-office success The Paleface, 1952's Son of Paleface is a superior product in every way, thanks largely to the spirited, creative direction of Frank Tashlin. Hope is cast as Junior Potter, a Harvard-educated dude who heads West to claim the inheritance left him by his gunslinger father. Much to his chagrin, Junior discovers that his dad has left him nothing but debts. To stave off Potter Sr.'s angry creditors, Junior pretends that his father has salted away a fortune somewhere in the hills. This arouses the attention of curvaceous saloon owner Mike (Jane Russell), who doubles as a mysterious masked bandit known as The Torch. Meanwhile, Roy Rogers (playing a federal agent named Roy Rogers) keeps tabs on Junior, hoping that he'll lead him to The Torch and her gang. True to form, ex-cartoonist Tashlin fills the screen with a wealth of inventive sight gags and inside jokes: Cecil B. DeMille shows up as a photographer in one scene, while in another, Hope, about to embark on the film's wild climactic chase sequence, shoos away a couple of vultures wearing bibs, warning them that "You'll make the whole thing look impossible." Our favorite scenes: Hope's Wile E. Coyote-like reaction to a particularly potent drink, and his bedroom scene with Roy Rogers' wonder horse Trigger. And don't forget the film's slightly risque punch line "Let's see them top that on television," (you have to be there). Songs in Son of Paleface include "You Are My Valley of Sunshine," "Four-Legged Friend," "Wing Ding Tonight," "What A Dirty Shame," and a reprise of The Paleface's Oscar-winning "Buttons and Bows," performed by Hope, Russell and Rogers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bob Hope - Junior Potter
Jane Russell - Mike
Roy Rogers - Roy Barton
Bill Williams - Kirk
Lloyd Corrigan - Doc Lovejoy

The rare sequel that might actually be better than its predecessor, Son of Paleface has all of the earmarks of director and co-author Frank Tashlin's work -- sight gags that make overt use of the film medium, cartoon-like conceits, and a sharp satirical edge that was far more muted in the first movie. What's more, the glorious Technicolor photography only seems to become more lustrous with each passing year. And Jane Russell's physique actually gets respectful treatment in these satirical surroundings, representing only some of the movie's visual appeal. The film has just as much fun with Roy Rogers' B-Western image and history as it does ogling Russell's form whenever she's on the screen; indeed, in these surroundings, Bob Hope is only one of the comedic factors, and he is very good in a part that parodies his role in The Paleface, but he's also not carrying the entire movie. Brentwood Home Entertainment has done very well by Son of Paleface, which might well be the third funniest movie in Tashlin's output after The Girl Can't Help It and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter. The color is not only bright but the image throughout is rich with detail, and the sound is perfect. Viewing this edition of Son of Paleface is a downright pleasure, and the only drawback is what hasn't been done with it. The presence of a mere eight chapters is a bit chintzy, and one wishes that the annotation on the back jacket were a little bit better written -- Frank Tashlin made far better movies than The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell or his work with Jerry Lewis, all cited there. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide