Thanks For The Memory (1938)

A struggling writer (Bob Hope) can't seem to find enough time to finish his novel so his wife (Shirley Ross) returns to work as a model and while he stays at home attempting to finish his book while playing househusband in his spare time. Hope and Ross scored a big success when they dueted on the song Thanks For The Memory in THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1938 which went on to win a best song Oscar so Paramount teamed them up in this lame comedy. It's easily one of Hope's worst films, at least until the mid 1960s. It tries to strait jacket Hope into a typical leading man role and his impish, self effacing personality and rapid fire throwaway quips are sorely missed. Who wants to see a Bob Hope movie that any generic leading man (Fred MacMurray could have done this in his sleep) could have played just as well. The most memorable thing in the film is their terrific New York apartment set. Hope and Ross did score another hit song though with the pleasant Two Sleepy People. Directed by George Archainbaud. With Hedda Hopper, Otto Kruger, Laura Hope Crews (a bit more portly than her Aunt Pittypat days), Eddie Anderson and Charles Butterworth.