The Road To Hong Kong (1962) Blu-ray Review

Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made many memorable films during their careers. But for me they were so great when they worked together. They starred in a film series that are known as the "Road Pictures". Crosby and Hope traveled from Singapore to Zanzibar from Morocco to Utopia and Rio to Bali. 

Kino Lorber have been releasing all of these films on Blu-ray and now it's time to complete the series on Blu-ray with the final of the road pictures 1962's Road to Hong Kong.

Vaudevillians Harry (Bing Crosby) and Chester (Bob Hope) travel to Tibet to search for a drug to restore Chester’s memory. Once they find the cure, Chester’s memory becomes so good that he accidentally memorizes a secret formula for space navigation. Soon the two meet up with a beautiful spy (Joan Collins) and get slightly sidetracked…to another planet! From fabulous filmmakers Norman Panama and Melvin Frank (Road to Utopia, White Christmas, The Court Jester).

One thing that was constant in the Road Pictures was Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorthy Lamour. They were a perfect combination! Now in Road to Hong Kong Dorthy Lamour was replaced in the leading lady role by Joan Collins. According to Dorthy, Bing felt she was too old to be a leading lady, but Bib Hope wouldn't do the film without her appearing in it!

Now while the film doesn't have the original trio, Road to Hong Kong still is a lot of fun. Bing and Bob are their crazy wacky selves. Their banter is still top notch and Joan Collins is not a bad addition to this film series.  

Now along with Hope, Crosby, Collins and a special appearance by Dorthy Lamour (playing herself). The film features a lot of familiar faces. Robert Morley (The African Queen), Peter Sellers (The Pink Panther), Frank Sinatra (The Manchurian Candidate), Dean Martin (The Wrecking Crew), Pat O’Brien (Knute Rockne, All Amercian) and David Niven (My Man Godfrey). 

The Road to Hong Kong has been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p and presented in 1.66:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

This new transfer is really something special! The picture quality is crisp and clean. There is no signs of speck or damage of any kind in this print. The audio is as clear as a bell! The film has never looked better than it does on this Blu-ray! But a tremendous print is not all that is included on this Blu-ray! Take a look at the bonus features included!

• NEW Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Michael Schlesinger and Archivist/Historian Stan Taffel

• Theatrical Trailer

The Road to Hong Kong is the weakest of the 7 Road Pictures of course, but the entertainment value is still high. Kino Lorber really made a nice release here. With a great looking transfer, an insightful audio commentary with tons of information and the addition of the theatrical trailer. This is a highly recommended Blu-ray for anyone's comedy collection.

If you love The Road Pictures and are looking to complete the collection, this new Blu-ray of The Road to Hong Kong from Kino Lorber is a must own. Head over to Amazon and order your copy of this Blu-ray today!

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) KL Studio Classics' Blu-ray of The Road to Hong Kong recieves.....