My Favorite Brunette (1947) Review: The Hidden Gem That Outsmarted Film Noir
Bob Hope's performance in My Favorite Brunette received glowing reviews, with the St. Petersburg Times calling it a "first-rate Hope performance." The film also benefits from an outstanding supporting cast including Dorothy Lamour, Peter Lorre, and Lon Chaney Jr., plus surprise cameos from noir regulars Alan Ladd and Bing Crosby. What makes this hidden gem even more accessible is that it entered the public domain in 1975 when its copyright registration wasn't renewed. If you're looking for a classic that perfectly balances humor with noir elements, this Elliott Nugent-directed treasure deserves your attention.
What Makes 'My Favorite Brunette' a Film Noir Parody?
Released in 1947, My Favorite Brunette stands as Hollywood's first hardboiled detective parody according to film historians. This pioneering comedy arrived at a time when film noir was reaching peak popularity, giving director Elliott Nugent plenty of dark material to lampoon. The film cleverly transforms noir's somber elements into laugh-out-loud moments through several distinct techniques.
Genre Blending: Comedy Meets Noir
My Favorite Brunette brilliantly fuses comedy with the grim world of film noir. The term "film noir" itself—coined by French critics in 1946—translates to "black film," referring to both the dark themes and shadowy visual style. In contrast, Bob Hope's comedic persona thrives on self-deprecation and cowardice, creating a perfect clash with noir's tough-guy archetype.
The film's premise centers on Ronnie Jackson, a baby photographer with detective aspirations who gets mistakenly identified as a private eye. This fish-out-of-water scenario provides the foundation for the comedy—Hope's character is thoroughly unsuited for detective work yet finds himself embroiled in a complex case involving kidnapping, mysterious maps, and sinister figures.
Furthermore, the movie maintains noir's convoluted storyline structure despite its comedic tone. As one reviewer noted, "My Favorite Brunette came complete with equally over-complicated, dark thriller shenanigans", proving that effective parody requires faithful recreation of the original form's key elements.
Spoofing Detective Tropes
My Favorite Brunette systematically parodies established noir detective conventions:
- The hardboiled narrator: Hope delivers a "cynical, slangy, wisecracking voice-over one could imagine being delivered by Humphrey Bogart"
- The femme fatale: Dorothy Lamour parodies the "sultry femme fatale" archetype
- The mysterious foreigners: Peter Lorre plays "Kismet," a comic take on his many film noir roles
- The wheelchair-bound figure: A direct reference to General Sternwood from The Big Sleep
The film opens in San Quentin with Hope on death row—a classic noir framing device of the doomed protagonist. His character even attempts to mimic detective-speak with lines like "I figure the only way to get the inside dope is from the outside... Dope", perfectly capturing the exaggerated hardboiled dialog of detective fiction.
Notably, Alan Ladd makes an uncredited cameo as an actual detective, creating a direct contrast between the genuine article and Hope's bumbling impostor. This juxtaposition highlights the absurdity of noir's tough-guy posturing through Hope's character, described as "a man who pretends to be tough, brave and resourceful but who in real life is both cowardly and inept".
Visual Style and Atmosphere
Despite its comedic intentions, My Favorite Brunette faithfully recreates film noir's distinctive visual esthetics. The cinematography by Oscar-winner Lionel Lindon captures the genre's signature look, particularly in scenes set in what Hope's character describes as a "nice, cheerful place. What time they bring the mummies out?".
The film features quintessential noir locations—a gloomy mansion, a mysterious sanitarium, and shadowy nightspots. Director Nugent gives Hope "just enough of the ingredients of what at the time would have been called a 'crime melodrama'—convoluted plot, menacing villains, daylight chases and nighttime pursuits" to establish the noir atmosphere before subverting it for laughs.
Throughout the film, these visual elements serve as the straight man to Hope's comedy. The stark contrast between the film's serious look and Hope's one-liners creates much of the humor. This visual commitment to the noir style on Blu-ray makes the "isolated scenes where the filmmakers attempt to evoke the shadowy visual style of crime thrillers of the period" particularly effective.
Bob Hope in 'My Favorite Brunette': A Comedic Masterclass
Image Source: ZekeFilm
Bob Hope's portrayal of baby photographer Ronnie Jackson showcases why he was considered one of America's premier comedians. Throughout My Favorite Brunette, Hope delivers a masterclass in comedic performance that perfectly balances verbal wit with physical comedy.
Character of Ronnie Jackson
In this film, Hope crafts a character who embodies his signature comedic persona—a man who hilariously combines cowardice with unearned braggadocio. As Ronnie Jackson, Hope plays a San Francisco baby photographer who dreams of becoming a hardboiled detective like his office neighbor Sam McCloud. His character even invents a "camera with a keyhole lens" that "takes pictures right through doors," boasting that he's "been kicked out of five hotels already" for his amateur sleuthing attempts.
Hope's genius lies in how he portrays a man thoroughly unsuited for detective work yet utterly convinced of his capabilities. "I was cut out for this kind of life," his character declares. "All my life I've wanted to be a hard boiled detective like Humphrey Bogart, or Dick Powell... or even Alan Ladd!". This delusion creates perfect comedic tension as he fumbles through increasingly dangerous situations.
Interestingly, Hope appears more focused in this film than in some of his other work. As the first production of Hope Enterprises, Inc., reports suggest that "since Hope had a financial stake in the film, he apparently goofed off less than when Paramount was footing the bill".
Chemistry with Dorothy Lamour
Hope and Dorothy Lamour's on-screen partnership reaches its comedic peak in My Favorite Brunette—their 11th film together. As the mysterious Carlotta Montay, Lamour provides the perfect foil for Hope's bumbling detective. One reviewer noted she was "born to be a femme fatale", a role she plays with just enough sincerity to heighten Hope's comedic blundering.
Their scenes together spark with comedic chemistry built over years of collaboration. When Ronnie first encounters Carlotta, he describes her as having "skin like smooth satin, beautiful blue eyes, dark silken hair, the kind of a gal that'd make you want to give away your last shirt"—a line delivered with Hope's characteristic mix of attraction and apprehension.
Behind the scenes, their relationship was equally entertaining. During filming, Lamour reportedly "aped Hope's habit of chewing gum to soothe his vocal chords, even blowing a bubble just before a big screen kiss, covering them both with the mess". To this teasing, Hope's wife Dolores apparently commented, "Be glad you don't have to put up with him at home too".
Physical Comedy and Timing
Beyond his quick wit, Hope's physical comedy makes My Favorite Brunette truly memorable. His comedic timing appears in scenes like when he attempts to climb a tree to spy on villains—prompting his self-deprecating quip: "It always looked so easy in those Tarzan pictures!".
Hope's expressive face becomes a comedic instrument itself, with reviewers noting his "popping eyes, fluttering fingers and occasional tentative utterances of the wolf, gurgled in more heroic moments". This physicality pairs perfectly with his verbal delivery, often letting "gags slide out of the side of his mouth as he moves swiftly from frying pans into fires".
Some of Hope's most memorable one-liners showcase both his impeccable timing and his character's misplaced confidence:
- "I don't know how much more of this I can take—you've had me in hot water so long I feel like a tea bag"
- "Nice cheerful place—what time do they bring the mummies out?"
- "You see, I wanted to be a detective too. It only took brains, courage and a gun—and I had the gun!"
Director Elliott Nugent gave Hope's physical comedy room to shine, creating what The New York Times called "a wild and reckless rat-race" of "fumbling, tumbling slapstick [that] moves at a magnifying pace". In fact, Hope himself "contributed this comic scene to the picture", highlighting his involvement beyond merely performing the script.
Plot Twists and Parody: How the Story Outsmarts Expectations
The genius of My Favorite Brunette lies in its narrative structure that simultaneously embraces and lampoons film noir conventions. Throughout the story, screenwriters Edmund Beloin and Jack Rose craft a plot that keeps viewers guessing while delivering consistent laughs.
Mistaken Identity and Role Reversal
At its core, My Favorite Brunette revolves around a classic case of mistaken identity. Initially, when Carlotta Montay enters Sam McCloud's office, she immediately assumes Ronnie is the private detective she's seeking. Rather than correct her, Ronnie seizes this opportunity to fulfill his detective dreams. "She gives our hero an address and a critically important map that she tells him to guard with his life," setting up the central conflict.
What makes this mistaken identity particularly effective is how it constantly shifts. First, Carlotta claims her husband was kidnapped, then explains it's actually her uncle. Later at the mansion, Major Montague introduces a wheelchair-bound man as Carlotta's supposedly missing uncle. These conflicting identities perfectly parody noir's tendency toward convoluted character relationships.
The Flashback Framing Device
My Favorite Brunette opens with a masterful noir technique—Ronnie Jackson sits on death row in San Quentin, telling his story in flashback to a group of reporters. This framing device serves multiple purposes: it immediately establishes noir credentials, creates dramatic irony (we know he'll be convicted of murder), and sets up the film's ultimate reversal.
The flashback structure allows Hope to deliver pitch-perfect noir narration throughout. Unlike traditional noir protagonists, however, Ronnie constantly undermines his own tough-guy image with lines like "The way I figure it, if a guy feels in his heart he's taking a phony rap, well, it's not so tough to kick the bucket".
Satirical Use of Noir Clichés
Essentially, every plot turn in My Favorite Brunette deliberately exaggerates noir conventions to absurd extremes. The film features an unnecessarily complex conspiracy involving mineral rights, uranium deposits, and a coded map. Additionally, the sanitarium sequence—complete with an "imaginary golf ball" game—perfectly spoofs the psychological thriller elements common in noir.
The film even includes the quintessential noir scene where Ronnie snaps a keyhole photo as evidence, only to have it destroyed by the villain. Ultimately, what saves Ronnie from execution is perhaps the most satirical element—a baby's photograph that accidentally captured crucial evidence, turning noir's typical pessimistic ending into a happy resolution.
Legacy and Public Domain Status
Unlike many films of its era, My Favorite Brunette follows an unusual path in cinema history due to its copyright status. This 1947 comedy noir has become more accessible to modern audiences through circumstances that many other classic films haven't experienced.
Why the Film Entered Public Domain
My Favorite Brunette officially entered the public domain in the United States in 1975—approximately 28 years after its initial release. This occurred because the copyright claimants failed to renew its copyright registration during the required 28th year after publication. Under American copyright law of that period, works needed renewal after their initial protection period; without this renewal, they would become freely available to the public. Consequently, this Bob Hope classic joined numerous other films from that era that slipped into public domain through similar administrative oversights rather than intentional release.
Impact on Home Video and Streaming
The public domain status has resulted in My Favorite Brunette being widely available on home video, though the quality of these releases varies significantly. Throughout the decades, the film has appeared on numerous formats:
- Video Treasures released it on VHS in early 1995 under license from All American Television and Columbia Pictures Television
- BCI Eclipse Company released it in 2007 as an HD DVD double feature paired with Son of Paleface
- Shout! Factory included it in a 2010 DVD box set with other Hope films
- Kino Lorber released both DVD and Blu-ray versions in 2017
Nevertheless, authorized editions continue to be copyrighted by Sony Pictures Television. These official releases, licensed through the Bob Hope estate and distributor FremantleMedia North America, utilize the original film negatives stored at Sony[152], offering superior picture and sound quality compared to unauthorized versions.
Cultural Longevity and Rediscovery
Throughout the years, My Favorite Brunette has maintained cultural relevance partially due to its unrestricted availability. The film appears on numerous streaming platforms and public domain movie sites like Archive.org, making it accessible to viewers who might otherwise never encounter this classic. PBS has featured it in classic film programming, introducing new generations to Hope's comedic talents.
This accessibility has contributed to ongoing rediscovery by film enthusiasts interested in noir parodies and classic comedy. Although public domain status sometimes diminishes a film's perceived value, My Favorite Brunette continues to be recognized for its cinematic merits rather than just its free availability.
Is 'My Favorite Brunette' Worth Watching Today?
After decades since its 1947 release, My Favorite Brunette remains remarkably watchable for contemporary audiences. Critics and fans alike continue to praise this film as possibly "Bob Hope's funniest film" that "holds up pretty well today". Let me explain why this classic deserves your attention in the streaming era.
Modern Appeal of Classic Comedy
What makes My Favorite Brunette work for modern viewers is its perfect balance of verbal wit and visual gags. The New York Times originally praised it as "a commendably funny film" with "swift, unrelenting burlesque" - qualities that transcend generational humor shifts. Moreover, the film's parody elements feel surprisingly contemporary, given how self-referential comedy has become in recent years.
The humor doesn't rely on dated references but instead on Hope's timeless delivery and the film's clever subversion of noir conventions. As one reviewer noted, it's "like The Big Sleep on laughing gas, and makes about the same amount of sense" - a description that resonates with viewers familiar with today's meta-comedy.
Who Will Enjoy This Film?
My Favorite Brunette appeals to several distinct audiences. First, classic Hollywood enthusiasts will appreciate the stellar cast including "Dorothy Lamour, Peter Lorre, Lon Chaney Jr., Alan Ladd, and even Bing Crosby thrown in for good measure".
Fans of Woody Allen's early work might be particularly interested, as Allen himself cited Hope as a major influence. One reviewer pointed out that "just about every line out of Hope's mouth could just as easily been delivered by Allen's nervous-little-fellow on-screen persona", making this film "worth checking out for fans of Woody Allen's early comedies".
Comparison to Other Bob Hope Films
Among Hope's extensive filmography, My Favorite Brunette stands out as "probably Hope's best solo film" and "the best of Bob Hope's three movies in the 'Favorite' series". Whereas some of his later television appearances featured "one corny joke after another", this film captures Hope at his prime.
Unlike his other comedies where the humor sometimes feels forced, My Favorite Brunette benefits from "Elliott Nugent's direction" and a script that gives his comedic talents proper context. Overall, this film represents Hope at the height of his powers - a "must see for fans of classic Hollywood comedies".
Conclusion
Overall, "My Favorite Brunette" stands as a testament to comedy that transcends its era. This 1947 gem brilliantly balances noir elements with Hope's impeccable comedic timing, creating something genuinely special in film history. The clever subversion of hardboiled detective tropes, coupled with Hope's self-deprecating humor, makes this perhaps his most accomplished performance.
Certainly, few films from this period remain as accessible and enjoyable today. The public domain status has allowed this classic to reach new generations who might otherwise miss out on Hope's comedic genius. The remarkable cast—featuring Lamour, Lorre, and Chaney Jr.—elevates the material beyond mere parody into something that genuinely works both as comedy and as loving tribute to film noir.
My personal appreciation for "My Favorite Brunette" has only deepened with each viewing. The film rewards multiple watches, revealing new layers of humor and cleverness that might escape first-time viewers. Hope's one-liners still land perfectly after all these decades, while the film's visual commitment to noir esthetics creates the perfect straight-man backdrop for his comedic antics.
Ultimately, this film deserves recognition as more than just another Bob Hope vehicle—it represents a perfect marriage of genre parody and star performance. Few comedies from any era manage to both lovingly mock and pay homage to their source material so effectively. "My Favorite Brunette" accomplishes this delicate balance, cementing its place as a hidden gem worth rediscovering by classic film enthusiasts and comedy fans alike.
FAQs
Q1. Is "My Favorite Brunette" worth watching today? Yes, "My Favorite Brunette" remains highly watchable for modern audiences. It's considered one of Bob Hope's funniest films, with timeless humor that balances verbal wit and visual gags. The movie's clever parody of film noir conventions and Hope's impeccable comedic timing make it appealing to both classic film enthusiasts and fans of contemporary comedy.
Q2. What makes "My Favorite Brunette" unique among Bob Hope's films? "My Favorite Brunette" stands out as possibly Hope's best solo film and the strongest entry in his 'Favorite' series. It captures Hope at the height of his comedic powers, benefiting from excellent direction by Elliott Nugent and a well-crafted script that provides the perfect context for Hope's talents. The film's blend of noir parody and comedy sets it apart from his other works.
Q3. Who are the notable cast members in "My Favorite Brunette"? The film features an impressive cast including Bob Hope as the lead, Dorothy Lamour as his love interest, and supporting roles by Peter Lorre and Lon Chaney Jr. It also includes cameo appearances by Alan Ladd and Bing Crosby, adding to its star-studded appeal and making it a treat for classic Hollywood fans.
Q4. How does "My Favorite Brunette" parody film noir? The movie cleverly spoofs film noir conventions through its plot, characters, and visual style. It features a convoluted storyline involving kidnapping and mysterious maps, exaggerates noir character types like the femme fatale, and recreates the genre's shadowy visual esthetics. The film uses these elements as a backdrop for Hope's comedy, creating humor through the contrast between the serious noir style and Hope's bumbling character.
Q5. Why is "My Favorite Brunette" so widely available today? "My Favorite Brunette" entered the public domain in 1975 when its copyright wasn't renewed. This status has made the film freely accessible on various platforms, including streaming services and public domain movie sites. While this has led to varying quality in some releases, it has also contributed to the film's ongoing rediscovery by new generations of viewers interested in classic comedy and film noir parodies.
