The Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Road To Comedy Collection [DVD]

I've been a fan of Golden Age of Hollywood era films since I was six years old, and the Road pictures have always been particular favorites of mine.Mind you, I have seen all of these literally millions of times and know them extremely well, but they are now within the public domain and the problem I have found is finding really clean and clear versions that are complete.I find that some people will edit out jokes they don't understand (and often they appear to understand very little) prior to uploading them to the Internet, presumably in an effort to make them more easily understood by modern audiences. For example for fifteen years I have owned two DVD copies of "Bali"; the first one had about fifteen minutes cut and that removed much of the topical and the more subtle of the jokes and gags. I was so angry I searched for and purchased a second, unedited copy. I can't bring myself to throw away away a working DVD just as I refuse to dispose of books, but I'm reluctant to give an inferior copy away, so the one edited version remains at the back of a shelf out of sight and out of mind.I'm EXTREMELY familiar with these films; though I never tire of them; and can immediately tell if anything is missing or altered. I'm pleased to report that these are complete and extremely clean and clear as a modern movie.As I said earlier many of the jokes and gags were topical and, unless you know 1940's culture well, much of it is likely to go over the heads of younger audiences. Take your time and look up references and allusions you don't immediately understand and you will really appreciate how clever and witty these films are.A bargain for the price, and it saves time locating decent copies online.

I LOVE Bob Hope and Bing Crosby!! Could watch them all day!!

Bob Hope and Bing Crosby + Dorothy Lamour made six "Road" pictures for Paramount between 1941 and 1953:1) Road to Singapore - 19402) Road to Zanzibar - 19413) Road to Morocco - 19424) Road to Utopia - 19465) Road to Rio - 19476) Road to Bali - 1953 (the only one in color)Paramount's pre-1948 catalog is now owned by Universal, which has a spotty record of reissuing these wonderful films on DVD.Films 1-4 are available in three different editions:[hint: for ease of navigation, read the review though to the end, then come back and click on the links.]Best, but most expensive, is 4 movies on 4 DVDs (2002): (available separately).Worst is 4 movies on 1 double-sided DVD (2004): Double-sided DVDs fail at an alarming rate.The most recent edition (2012) is the one one one being reviewed (light blue and orange cover).Two DVDs, with a double feature on one side of each disc (not double-sided, thank God).Picture quality is equivalent to the 2002 4 disc version, but the price is a lot less.Some of the "extras" from the 2002 4 disc version were left out. The only important loss was the movie trailers.All three versions are closed-captioned.At the price, this is the new recommended version.Annoyingly, films 5 and 6 were left out of each collection.Paramount stupidly allowed the copyright to expire on these films, so they are now in the Public Domain.Lots of inexpensive copies are available on DVD from various cheapo labels.The situation was somewhat rectified in 2010 when Shout Factory released an authorized 3 DVD collection: Less expensive, almost as good: I only wish Universal would issue the six film collection complete in a nice box on 3 double-feature DVDs (NOT 2-sided!).Maybe even blu-ray.P.S. Missing from my list is the seventh film, The Road to Hong Kong (1962), but it is owned by MGM, not Universal: - or - The boys are a bit long-in-the tooth (Dorothy Lamour is reduced to a cameo).Not as good as the first six, but still worth a look.P.P.S. All seven films are available in a boxed set, but its only available in the United Kingdom (issued in 2005).They are region 2 DVDs, which means American DVD players won't play them.Available on Amazon UK (amazon.co.uk):ASIN: B0009W09GETo view them you will need a region-free DVD player.These machines are "gray market" (not "black market" which would be illegal).Removing the region 1 encoding chip is considered "tampering" and voids the manufacturer's warranty.Most sellers provide their own 30 day or 90 day warranty.Look up "region free DVD player" on the Amazon search bar.

good crazy movies

great

Great price and fast delivery

If you want some clean fun, get this DVD of Hope & Crosby in some of their craziest predicaments. They are a hoot!

I have loved these movies and now I can watch them any time I want

The DVD has finally reached the Italian shores! I suspect the German and the Italian postal services of not having done all in their power to expedite matters. Still, it is finally here; I wanted it to watch two "Road to" movies I had never seen before, "Zanzibar" and more particularly "Utopia", which is supposed to be the best in the series.

Interesante colección de filmes que fueron enormemente populares en su día. El problema es que los DVDs son de otra región y solo los puedo ver en el ordenador.

Got to love their weird humour

Did what it said on the wrapper. Made me laugh (yet again).

When I was a young boy, I saw in the late show listings for TV a "Road" movie with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. I thought what a great idea it was for these two guys to be brought together for a movie. Little did I realize it was but one of several films they made together, as well as numerous live appearances and TV and radio shows. Simply put, Hope and Crosby are an inspired pairing. And this collection of their first four "Road" movies captures all of their chemistry. The prints look great, and the bonus materials, while limited, are also worth a look. If you love these guys as I do, get this collection!