"Bachelor in Paradise" is a very good comedy romance. It's a little bit of social commentary on the times with ever so little satire. Lest someone think it's all about sex, which the studios liked to imply in the trailers and promotions, the Paradise in the title is the name of a suburban family community just developed in southern California. These tract communities were common in the growth of housing during the two decades following World War II.
Bob Hope plays a confirmed bachelor, Adam J. Niles, who has a reputation as a ladies man and womanizer. That comes from his authorship of a number of books about the love lives of women of various countries. He had been outside the U. S. for 14 years, living in Europe where he has been researching and writing his books. While it's implied that his life is filled with amour, he actually does do research for his books. They are considered risqué by some, titillating by others.
When his publisher calls him back to the U. S to face the IRS, he finds that his business manager never filed a tax return for the 14 years he has been abroad, and he absconded with Hope's assets. So, he now owes the IRS a whopping $625,000 tax debt. They understand the fraud by the manager and he's given time to pay the debt, but he can 't leave the country. John McGiver plays his publisher, Austin Palfrey, who arranges for him to go incognito, as Jack Adams, to rent a home in a new tract community in southern California and write his next book about the modern American housewife.
A very good cast includes a number of actors of the day who played in very good comedies. Lana Turner is the leading actress, Rosemary Howard. A bevy of actresses play the housewives and mothers of Paradise, California, who want to rekindle the flame in their husband's hearts. Janis Paige, Paula Prentiss, and Virginia Grey contribute nicely to the comedy. John McGiver is very good as Palfrey and other actors who add to the humor are Don Porter, Jim Hutton, and Clinton Sundberg. Reta Shaw plays the Paradise snoop and snitch, Mrs. Brown. And Agnes Moorehead is a hoot toward the end as the judge in a court trial filed by three of the husbands.
While there are some antics and a little slapstick in places, the best comedy is in a script that has some very funny dialog. Early on, the looks that Lana Turner's Rosemary gives Hope's Niles, are hilarious in themselves. And that leads one to wonder if some of his lines weren't ad-libbed and kept in because they are so outlandish and funny. The film received an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination. Here are some favorite lines.
Adam Niles (aka, Jack Adams), "I'll need a secretary." Austin Palfrey, his publisher, "One ugly secretary." Niles, "One that can type, huh?"
Rosemary Howard, "But most women in Paradise have husbands and children." Jack Adams (anonymous Adam Niles), "A lot of families get started that way."
Jack/Niles, after they arrive at the house he has rented, "It would be pink." Rosemary Howard, "That's not pink. That's California Coral." Jack, "Who thinks up all the names for colors in this country - Tennessee Williams?"
Jack/Niles, "It's very attractive. Even the termites seem to like it." Rosemary, "That's pecky Cypress. It's quite the rage."
Jack/Niles, looking over the house interior, "Oh, it's very charming. What do you call this style - Early Disneyland?"
Jack/Niles, debating over the last fryer available in the grocery story, "What's the matter - don't you think I'm worth half a chicken?" Rosemary, "Well, frankly, I haven't thought of you in terms of chicken. In fact, I haven't thought of you period. Good day!"
Jack and Rosemary are sitting at the bar in a South Pacific islands restaurant. Rosemary, "Is he a bartender or a landscape architect?" Jack, "He's an artist. Would you care for a Scorpion's Kiss?" Rosemary, "Oh, is that what they call 'em,?" Jack, "And this is a Bikini." Rosemary, "That's an odd name for a drink - Bikini." Jack, "That's because there's not much to it but it hits the right spots."
Rosemary, "I'm no longer an employee of Paradise Village Inc." Jack, "You quit!" Rosemary, "I did. I won't work for any man after he fires me." Jack, "Well, I admire your spirit, among other things."
Jack/Niles, "Now, let me see. You'll be my landlady and secretary, and I'll be your tenant and your boss." Rosemary, "A very involved relationship." Jack, "Yeah. You raise my rent, I'll lower your salary." Rosemary, "You lower my salary and I'll raise my voice."
Rosemary, "Have you been a bachelor all your life?" Jack, "I was engaged once, at the age of seven, but what I thought were the pangs of love turned out to be measles."
Rosemary, "Then there's still a chance that some poor girl may marry you?" Jack, "A rich girl would have a better chance."
Rosemary, "Mrs. Brown saw you and Dolores leaving together." Jack, "We could have used her at Pearl Harbor."
Judge Peterson, "Mr. Niles, when you are finished debating with yourself, will you please answer the question."
Austin Palfrey," after Niles testifies in court to his love for Rosemary, "You idiot - you've ruined everything. Now you're just another guy." Niles, "Yeah, and it's about time.
Bob Hope plays a confirmed bachelor, Adam J. Niles, who has a reputation as a ladies man and womanizer. That comes from his authorship of a number of books about the love lives of women of various countries. He had been outside the U. S. for 14 years, living in Europe where he has been researching and writing his books. While it's implied that his life is filled with amour, he actually does do research for his books. They are considered risqué by some, titillating by others.
When his publisher calls him back to the U. S to face the IRS, he finds that his business manager never filed a tax return for the 14 years he has been abroad, and he absconded with Hope's assets. So, he now owes the IRS a whopping $625,000 tax debt. They understand the fraud by the manager and he's given time to pay the debt, but he can 't leave the country. John McGiver plays his publisher, Austin Palfrey, who arranges for him to go incognito, as Jack Adams, to rent a home in a new tract community in southern California and write his next book about the modern American housewife.
A very good cast includes a number of actors of the day who played in very good comedies. Lana Turner is the leading actress, Rosemary Howard. A bevy of actresses play the housewives and mothers of Paradise, California, who want to rekindle the flame in their husband's hearts. Janis Paige, Paula Prentiss, and Virginia Grey contribute nicely to the comedy. John McGiver is very good as Palfrey and other actors who add to the humor are Don Porter, Jim Hutton, and Clinton Sundberg. Reta Shaw plays the Paradise snoop and snitch, Mrs. Brown. And Agnes Moorehead is a hoot toward the end as the judge in a court trial filed by three of the husbands.
While there are some antics and a little slapstick in places, the best comedy is in a script that has some very funny dialog. Early on, the looks that Lana Turner's Rosemary gives Hope's Niles, are hilarious in themselves. And that leads one to wonder if some of his lines weren't ad-libbed and kept in because they are so outlandish and funny. The film received an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination. Here are some favorite lines.
Adam Niles (aka, Jack Adams), "I'll need a secretary." Austin Palfrey, his publisher, "One ugly secretary." Niles, "One that can type, huh?"
Rosemary Howard, "But most women in Paradise have husbands and children." Jack Adams (anonymous Adam Niles), "A lot of families get started that way."
Jack/Niles, after they arrive at the house he has rented, "It would be pink." Rosemary Howard, "That's not pink. That's California Coral." Jack, "Who thinks up all the names for colors in this country - Tennessee Williams?"
Jack/Niles, "It's very attractive. Even the termites seem to like it." Rosemary, "That's pecky Cypress. It's quite the rage."
Jack/Niles, looking over the house interior, "Oh, it's very charming. What do you call this style - Early Disneyland?"
Jack/Niles, debating over the last fryer available in the grocery story, "What's the matter - don't you think I'm worth half a chicken?" Rosemary, "Well, frankly, I haven't thought of you in terms of chicken. In fact, I haven't thought of you period. Good day!"
Jack and Rosemary are sitting at the bar in a South Pacific islands restaurant. Rosemary, "Is he a bartender or a landscape architect?" Jack, "He's an artist. Would you care for a Scorpion's Kiss?" Rosemary, "Oh, is that what they call 'em,?" Jack, "And this is a Bikini." Rosemary, "That's an odd name for a drink - Bikini." Jack, "That's because there's not much to it but it hits the right spots."
Rosemary, "I'm no longer an employee of Paradise Village Inc." Jack, "You quit!" Rosemary, "I did. I won't work for any man after he fires me." Jack, "Well, I admire your spirit, among other things."
Jack/Niles, "Now, let me see. You'll be my landlady and secretary, and I'll be your tenant and your boss." Rosemary, "A very involved relationship." Jack, "Yeah. You raise my rent, I'll lower your salary." Rosemary, "You lower my salary and I'll raise my voice."
Rosemary, "Have you been a bachelor all your life?" Jack, "I was engaged once, at the age of seven, but what I thought were the pangs of love turned out to be measles."
Rosemary, "Then there's still a chance that some poor girl may marry you?" Jack, "A rich girl would have a better chance."
Rosemary, "Mrs. Brown saw you and Dolores leaving together." Jack, "We could have used her at Pearl Harbor."
Judge Peterson, "Mr. Niles, when you are finished debating with yourself, will you please answer the question."
Austin Palfrey," after Niles testifies in court to his love for Rosemary, "You idiot - you've ruined everything. Now you're just another guy." Niles, "Yeah, and it's about time.