In their article for the 24 Oct 1962 DV, filmmakers Norman Panama and Melvin Frank recounted the process of reuniting Bob Hope and Bing Crosby for their first “Road” film in nine years. Hope, who spent much of his time golfing, referred all inquiries to his agent, who responded through a team of attorneys. After it was determined that the project would not interfere with Hope’s television series, he accepted the offer. Bing Crosby, however, wanted guarantees that the shooting schedule not coincide with the salmon and steelhead trout fishing seasons, nor the annual Bing Crosby Golf Tournament. He ultimately agreed to the project, even though he would have to miss pheasant-hunting season. Upon learning that filming would take place in England, both actors demanded cottages near the studio, with adjacent golf courses and racetracks. Once production was underway, Hope and Crosby frequently ignored the screenplay and improvised much of their dialogue, encouraged by the laughter of visitors to the set. When Crosby invited Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to make an unpaid guest appearance, Panama and Frank approved, knowing the singers would enhance the picture’s commercial appeal. An item in the 4 Aug 1961 DV stated that Hope and Crosby promised to make an unpaid appearance in Martin and Sinatra’s next film. The 25 Aug 1961 LAT reported that Hope and Crosby were ensconced at the family estate of the late Lord Joseph Duveen, at a cost of £1,600 per month. Bordering the property were two racetracks and three golf courses.
       A news item in the 7 Oct 1960 DV noted that location filming was originally planned for Hong Kong, as well as England. Actress Dorothy Lamour, who co-starred in the other six “Road” pictures, was invited to make a brief guest appearance, while Gina Lollobrigida would play the female lead. The 19 Sep 1961 LAT reported that Lamour demanded and won a larger role in the film. On 3 Nov 1960, NYT stated that Sophia Loren was being considered as leading lady following Lollobrigida’s departure. A news brief in the 9 Nov 1960 DV hinted that actress Nancy Kwan would join the cast. She did not appear in the completed film. The 25 Apr 1961 LAT reported that three of Crosby’s sons, Dennis, Phillip, and Lindsay, were invited to make an appearance as the vocal trio, The Crosby Boys. The 21 Jun 1961 DV noted that the trip to England would likely prevent Bing Crosby from accepting a prominent role in the political drama, Advise & Consent (1962, see entry). One week later, the 28 Jun 1961 edition announced that casting was complete, with actress Joan Collins as the team’s co-star.
       Columnist Art Buchwald revealed in the 3 Aug 1961 LAT that “leftover footage” from The World of Suzie Wong (1961, see entry) would supply exterior shots of Hong Kong. Actor William Holden, who loaned his 16-mm home movies of the city to the production, was offered a guest appearance, according to the 21 Aug 1961 DV.
       The 3 Jun 1962 LAT noted that the film included routines inspired by comedians of the past. Among them was a scene involving an automatic feeding machine, reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times (1936, see entry). The 26 Jul 1961 DV reported that Panama and Frank planned to make two English-language versions of the picture: one with American topical humor, another with British topical humor. For the third version, musical sequences were replaced with “dramatic ‘bridges’” to advance the plot, as foreign distributors often deleted songs when the lyrics did not easily translate.
       Principal photography began 31 Jul 1961, as stated in 4 Aug 1961 DV production charts. The 16 Aug 1961 issue noted that Dorothy Lamour was expected on set two days later. The 27 Sep 1961 DV reported that television host Ed Sullivan visited the production set, and planned to broadcast his videotaped conversation with Hope and Crosby on his weekly variety program. The completion of filming on 2 Nov 1961 was announced in the following day’s DV.
       Three months later, the 3 Jan 1962 DV reported a sneak preview in London, England, to be followed by several more in Los Angeles, CA. The picture was expected to open in England over the Easter weekend, as stated in the 21 Mar 1962 DV. The U.S. opening was scheduled for late the following month. According to the 9 May 1962 DV, Hope collaborated with comedian Stan Freberg on a series of television advertisements for the film. The 23 May 1962 DV announced that Hope would attend the U.S. premiere that evening at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, CA. Proceeds benefitted the Crippled Children’s Auxiliary of San Mateo, CA. The 29 May 1962 NYT noted that it was the first picture to be released under United Artists’ (UA) “Premiere Showcase” policy, which enabled suburban and neighborhood theaters to debut major releases the same day as first-run venues.
       The Road to Hong Kong opened 27 Jun 1962 in New York City and Los Angeles to positive reviews. The 19 Jul 1962 DV reported $701,989 in combined receipts from both cities in the first three weeks.
       The 22 Jan 1962 NYT noted that the television documentary, Biography of a Movie about the making of The Road to Hong Kong, was scheduled to air 6 May 1962 on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) program, Du Pont Show of the Week (17 Sep 1961—30 Aug 1964). On 21 Jun 1962, LAT featured a letter from UA publicist Pete Emmett, inviting columnist Paul Coates to join him on a Road to Hong Kong “eating tour” of Los Angeles’ Chinatown district. Dishes included “Chicken Salad Bing Crosby,” “Shrimp Curry Bob Hope,” “Pepper Steak Joan Collins,” and “Pineapple Duck Dorothy Lamour.” The 28 Feb 1962 DV reported that Joan Collins recorded a song from the film, titled “Teamwork,” for release as a single on United Artists Records.
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