My Favorite Brunette
My Favorite Brunette

Movie spotlight

My Favorite Brunette

1947
Movie
87 min
English

Ronnie Jackson is a lowly baby photographer who secretly fantasizes about being a private detective. When a lovely baroness actually mistakes him for one and asks him to help locate her missing husband, Baron Montay, Ronnie finds himself agreeing. Several days later he is on death row whiling away the hours until his execution by recounting to a group of reporters the bizarre tale of how he ended up there.

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Google Users77%
Director: Charles BartonGenres: Comedy, Mystery, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A wisecracking amateur photographer, Ronnie Wallace, fantasizes about being a private investigator. When he accidentally gets involved with a beautiful and mysterious woman, Carlotta Montan, he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous case involving murder and hidden treasure. To save his own life and impress Carlotta, Ronnie impersonates a famous detective, leading to a series of hilarious and perilous situations.

Critical Reception

My Favorite Brunette was a commercial success upon its release, largely due to the star power of Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour and its blend of comedy and suspense. Critics at the time praised Hope's comedic timing and the film's generally lighthearted tone, despite its noir elements. It remains a well-regarded example of Hope's popular film series from the era.

What Reviewers Say

  • Bob Hope's signature comedic performance is the main draw.

  • The film successfully blends laugh-out-loud moments with a surprisingly engaging mystery plot.

  • Dorothy Lamour provides a captivating presence as the femme fatale.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the movie highly entertaining, appreciating Bob Hope's humor and the film's clever plot twists. Many viewers enjoy the chemistry between Hope and Lamour and the film's ability to deliver consistent laughs throughout.

Fun Fact

The film features a famous scene where Bob Hope's character is tied to a chair and subjected to a mock "third degree" by a gangster played by Lon Chaney Jr., who wears an eyepatch for the role, a nod to his iconic character, the One-Eyed Jacks.

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