CASANOVA'S BIG NIGHT

US, 1954, 86 minutes, Colour.
Bob Hope, Joan Fontaine, Basil Rathbone, Vincent Price, Audrey Dalton, Hugh Marlowe, John Carradine, Primo Carnera, Arnold Moss, Lon Chaney Jnr.
Directed by Norman Z. Mc Leod.

Casanova's Big Night is a colourful Bob Hope entertainment - though rather mild, the atmosphere and period carries it along. Bob Hope is once again a cowardly hero, forced to take the place of Casanova. His heart is in the right place, even if he dreads torture and plots. He has an excellent supporting case led by Joan Fontaine who seems to be enjoying herself. Basil Rathbone is Casanova's valet. Vincent Price appears momentarily as Casanova. The colour and costumes give some status to the film. Definitely for Bob Hope fans.

1. An enjoyable comedy? Bob Hope comedy?

2. Production values: colour photography, 18th. century costumes and decor?

3. The title and its focus on Casanova? The irony of Bob Hope as a Casanova-substitute?

4. The setting: the intrigues in Italy, arranged marriages, wars, money? Casanova and his reputation? Ordinary people in an Italian town? The mix-up on the level of national intrigue?

5. Bob Hope as Pippo: his usual screen persona, wisecracking, cowardly, a hero at heart? The creditors? His being forced to take Casanova's place? His enjoying himself pretending? The encounters with the Duchess of Genoa and her family? With the Doge of Venice? Foreign ambassadors? The support of Lucio? The intrigues at the palace, the dangers? His disguise with Francesca? The farcical resolution? True love being saved? The device of having the audience choose the ending?

6. Francesca as the tough heroine? Her taking control of the situation? Pippo indebted to her? Accompanying him, keeping an eye on him, sharing the adventures and the intrigue, the disguises, in love with him?

7. Lucio as Casanova's valet (and the brief glimpse of Casanova as Vincent Price!)? Manners, fastidiousness, the disguise, his motivation? Saving Pippo from himself?

8. The Duchess of Genoa and her entourage? The humour at her expense? The setting of the intrigue?

9. The Doge of Venice and his plan about Lady Elena? Pippo thwarting the Doge's plans? The romance: the focus on Lady Elena, her petticoat and the emblem, Pippo as a tailor's apprentice being able to help? True romance winning out?

10. Verbal humour, visual humour? Wit and farce? And Bob Hope's image - a variation on the little man comic theme?