LOUISIANA PURCHASE
US, 1941, 98 minutes, Colour.
Bob Hope, Vera Zorina, Victor Moore, Irene Bordona, Dona Drake, Raymond Wilburn.
Directed by Irving Cummings.
Louisiana Purchase seems to be a light comedy with Irving Berlin songs. It was based on a Broadway play and show by Morrie Ryskind. However, there is a great deal behind the seemingly simple satiric story of the buying of the state of Lousiana (parallel with the historical purchase and in the 1930s a mythical purchase).
With Robert Penn Warren’s 1930s book, All the King’s Men, and the Oscar-winning film of 1949 (and the 2006 remake with Sean Penn), the story of Huey Long and his corruption and manipulation of the Louisiana government turning it almost into a fascist state has the possibility of being much better known. Audiences in the 1930s and 1940s would have had the references to Huey Long and appreciated the satire as well the serious side of Louisiana Purchase.
As a musical, it has been adapted for the comic style of Bob Hope. He plays the stooge of the senator who wants to control the government. The stars of the Broadway play, Vera Zorina, Victor Moore, Irene Bordoni, all repeat their roles in the film.
On the surface level it can be appreciated as a Bob Hope film with some serious undertones. However, it is a political comment from the early 1940s on American politics of the 1930s.
The film was directed by Irving Cummings, an actor who directed some light films including some Shirley Temple vehicles, more seriously The Story of Alexander Graham Bell, and a number of musicals including Sweet Rosie O’ Grady and The Dolly Sisters.
1. The quality of the comedy, a comedy about politics, a Bob Hope- style comedy?
2. The contribution of the music and songs, the musical style of the 30s? How much was this a film of the 30's in style and theme?
3. Audience interest in politics of the time, the picture of corruption, the cover up in a state legislature? The film and its angle on American politics and 1940? Comments on Democrats and Republicans?
4. The impact of the initial song during the credits, the irony of the fiction about Louisiana and the fictitious American state? Irving Berlin and songs?
5. Comment on the presentation of Louisiana, as fictitious, as a real American state? The presentation of government, big business, the interrelation between government and business, money-making, fallout? Comment on American morality and politics and business?
6. How much of a typical Bob Hope character was Jim Taylor? The fact that he was part of the corruption? How seriously was his character and involvement meant to be taken? His being victimised by the bosses? His own victimisation for corruption purposes? His tricking of the authorities and ending up with the girl? The irony of the ending?
7. The humour in the presentation of' the senator, his innocence, his being made a joke, his being in the right?
8. Marina, and her background, her being used? The change of heart? The humour of the photography of the senator in compromising positions?
9. Madame and her work in Louisiana, her business, Marina, her involvement with the senator, the war background in Europe?
10. The quality of the comedy routines, especially Bob Hope’s filibuster?
11. How satisfactory was the resolution for a comedy, as regards politics and morality?
12. How interesting are light comedies like this for exploring serious themes?
