HERE COME THE GIRLS

US, 1953, 78 minutes, Colour.
Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Martin, Arlene Dahl, Fred Clark, William Demarest, Robert Strauss.
Directed by Claude Binyon.

Here Come the Girls is one of Bob Hope's many star vehicles in the early 50s, has Paramount's lavish production values for its star even though the running time is comparatively short. It is one of his better vehicles from this period.

Bob Hope plays Stanley, an over-aged chorus-boy. This gives Elope the opportunity to do his usual thing - show his versatility as a singer and a dancer. It also gives him the opportunity to do his self-centred thing - he is a master
at portraying vanity. He ignores the devotion of Daisy and is infatuated by the star Irene. The manager of the theatre wants to get rid of him and humiliates him in front of his mother and stepfather but then is persuaded by the police to hire him as the star since there is a vicious killer on the loose. Everybody agrees that he is to be the foil. This provides for comedy on stage, attacks by 'The Slasher'. And a blend of the Hope heroics and cowardice. Needless to say everything is resolved at the end.

Hope shows himself to be a master of comedy and patter. There is a stage boy called Crosby whom he kicks.

Rosemary Clooney is a pleasing presence as Daisy, some songs and opportunity for romance with Hope. Arlene Dahl has glamour and beauty (and a lavish wardrobe) as Irene the star. She bravely goes through some difficult stage performances with Hope. Tony Martin has a supporting role as the leading star, Alan, and a chance to sing. There is a good supporting cast including William Demarest as the policeman posing as Stanley's protector and Fred Clark as the manager.

The film has an engaging score, lavish stagings on production numbers, the period atmosphere of the turn of the century in New York and in the theatre and some mayhem as villain Robert Strauss as The Slasher tries to kill Hope.