CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT (Paramount, 1941), directed by David Butler, stars resident funny man, Bob Hope, in one of his most popular comedies of the 1940s. Borrowing the formula made famous with the timely theme of being caught in the draft made famous the same year by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in BUCK PRIVATES (Universal), and later Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in GREAT GUNS (20th Century-Fox), rather than casting Hope opposite Bing Crosby, his partner from the then popular "Road" comedy series that started with ROAD TO SINGAPORE (1940), Hope gets to work with Dorothy Lamour, his frequent co-star of both the "Road" series and later comedies as THEY GOT ME COVERED (Samuel Goldwyn, 1943 and MY FAVORITE BRUNETTE (Paramount, 1947). While Hope gets the male support of Eddie Bracken and Lynne Overman, not becoming a trio of half-wits as "The Three Stooges," CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT is relatively Bob Hope's movie from start to finish.
The story opens in the movie studio where production for a war movie is being filmed starring Don Bolton (Bob Hope). Bolton's biggest fear is loud noises such as rifle shots used for the battle scenes, and being drafted. During production, Colonel Peter Fairbanks (Clarence Kolb), consultant for the war movie, comes to visit accompanied by his daughter, Antoinette, better known as Toni (Dorothy Lamour). Don's egotistical personality towards women turns off Toni, especially after he mistakes her father for one of the actors. When it is learned that Don may have to register in the Army, he is told the one way out is to get married, He selects Toni as his bride-to-be. When she realizes Don's real intention of marrying her, she leaves him. However, love conquers all as Don, who wants to marry Toni but still wants out of the draft, schemes to get both. Dan's plot for draft rejection fails, having him, along with his assistant, Bert (Eddie Bracken), and manager, Steve (Lynne Overman), to accompany him as privates for training camp and trying to prove themselves worthy under the tough leadership of Sergeant Burns (Paul Hurst). What next, Private Bolton? Co-starring Ferike Boro (Yetta); Phyllis Ruth (Margie); Edgar Dearing (The Recruiting Officer), Irving Bacon and Arthur Loft.
Regardless of some hits and misses in running gags during much of its 82 minutes, CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT is typically amusing. With Hope known for in-humor for his comedies, his one description for the Toni character is described as "looking like Dorothy Lamour with clothes on." The best scenes, however, take place during training camp, featuring Hope and his cohorts (Overman and Bracken) doing kitchen duty cleaning smelly fish or peeling potatoes, their involvement in a wild Army tank drive, parachute jumping, guard duty and mock battle training. What next, Private Bolton? Dorothy Lamour shows her enjoyment working opposite Hope as the serious-minded woman involved with his comedic shortcomings.
Once frequently shown on late night television during the 1960s and 1970s, CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT is nearly forgotten and overlooked today. Its availability on video cassette and DVD, along with cable television broadcasts as American Movie Classics (1994-1998) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: January 14, 2022), should assure rediscovery for younger viewers and how harmless old-style comedies such as this amused audiences at that time and how Bob Hope's popularity lasted for decades to come. What's next, Mr. Hope? (***1/2)
The story opens in the movie studio where production for a war movie is being filmed starring Don Bolton (Bob Hope). Bolton's biggest fear is loud noises such as rifle shots used for the battle scenes, and being drafted. During production, Colonel Peter Fairbanks (Clarence Kolb), consultant for the war movie, comes to visit accompanied by his daughter, Antoinette, better known as Toni (Dorothy Lamour). Don's egotistical personality towards women turns off Toni, especially after he mistakes her father for one of the actors. When it is learned that Don may have to register in the Army, he is told the one way out is to get married, He selects Toni as his bride-to-be. When she realizes Don's real intention of marrying her, she leaves him. However, love conquers all as Don, who wants to marry Toni but still wants out of the draft, schemes to get both. Dan's plot for draft rejection fails, having him, along with his assistant, Bert (Eddie Bracken), and manager, Steve (Lynne Overman), to accompany him as privates for training camp and trying to prove themselves worthy under the tough leadership of Sergeant Burns (Paul Hurst). What next, Private Bolton? Co-starring Ferike Boro (Yetta); Phyllis Ruth (Margie); Edgar Dearing (The Recruiting Officer), Irving Bacon and Arthur Loft.
Regardless of some hits and misses in running gags during much of its 82 minutes, CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT is typically amusing. With Hope known for in-humor for his comedies, his one description for the Toni character is described as "looking like Dorothy Lamour with clothes on." The best scenes, however, take place during training camp, featuring Hope and his cohorts (Overman and Bracken) doing kitchen duty cleaning smelly fish or peeling potatoes, their involvement in a wild Army tank drive, parachute jumping, guard duty and mock battle training. What next, Private Bolton? Dorothy Lamour shows her enjoyment working opposite Hope as the serious-minded woman involved with his comedic shortcomings.
Once frequently shown on late night television during the 1960s and 1970s, CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT is nearly forgotten and overlooked today. Its availability on video cassette and DVD, along with cable television broadcasts as American Movie Classics (1994-1998) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: January 14, 2022), should assure rediscovery for younger viewers and how harmless old-style comedies such as this amused audiences at that time and how Bob Hope's popularity lasted for decades to come. What's next, Mr. Hope? (***1/2)