by Ted Davis
Directed by: David Butler
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: In spite of his true nature, cowardly ham actor Sylvester Crosby (Bob Hope), billed on tour as The Great Sylvester, Man of Seven Faces, helps voluptuous Margaret Warbrook (Virginia Mayo), a princess incognito on the run from a forced marriage, escape the foul clutches of The Hook (Victor McLaglen), the premier bloodthirsty loud-mouthed pirate of the region. They all end up on the island of Casarouge where double-dealing governor La Roche (Walter Slezak) schemes to purloin the treasure map to The Hook’s buried fortune . . . which just happens to be tattooed on Sylvester’s pale and underdeveloped chest!
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Early in the movie, while Sylvester rehearses his act in the presence of Margaret, a cute orange and white cat pads from behind his dressing case, which elicits a pop-eyed look of surprise from the princess. Sylvester explains, “That’s not me, that’s a cat. He keeps coming in here all the time, stage struck, trying to get into the act.”
Sylvester picks up the cat and places him back behind the case, remarking to the kitty, “C’mon, I’ve already got seven faces. I don’t need another puss . . . (sotto voice) Ham!”
Final Mewsings: Wrong call, Sylvester. The cat would have improved your act.
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