Off Limits [Blu-ray]

Up to his old tricks, Bob Hope shows why he's better at entertaining the troops than policing them
- Wally Hogan: "Connie, it may not show but I'm yellow."
- Connie Curtis: "It shows."

You'd think Bob Hope would've learned his lesson, having already gotten snookered in CAUGHT IN THE DRAFT. Here he gets bullied into enlisting in the U.S. Army again. Alternately (and more drably) titled as MILITARY POLICEMEN, OFF LIMITS is one of old Ski Nose's lesser known films. But it's got some good laughs, a song or two, and the sole teaming up of Bob Hope and Mickey Rooney on the big screen. On one hand, Mickey Rooney is no Bing Crosby. But, on the other hand, Bob Hope is no Judy Garland.

1953's OFF LIMITS is a minor hybrid boxing / military comedy; it finds Bob Hope at his most relaxed and Rooney back to his wholesome next-door-neighbor kid routine, kind of like as if Andy Hardy had enlisted. Bob Hope plays Wally Hogan, a womanizing boxing trainer who follows his champion prize fighter into the U.S. Army. But Wally is left holding the bag when his boxer is discharged...

This Film is Worth Having in any Collection
Bob Hope plays Wally, trainer for a boxing champ. When the champ is called in for his enlistment into the Army, Wally follows him to protect his interest in the champ. The problem is the Army rejects the champ because he failed the psych exam. Wally's real trouble begins when the Army accepts him and the champ goes off with his handlers, who are actually mobsters.
Enter Mickey Rooney (Herbie Tuttle), a wannabe prizefighter who wants Wally to train him while they are in the Army together. Trouble is Wally wants out of the Army so that he can resume his fast-living lifestyle as a boxing trainer, until he meets Herbert's aunt Connie (Marilyn Maxwell). Connie does not think much of Wally and she does not like boxing.
So to not give away the rest of the plot I will leave here.
Great comedic movie! Well worth watching over and over. It would be a better price value if Amazon would lower the price about $5-$10.

Great Hope Vehicle
Another great release by Olive Films of a Paramount catalog title. It is interesting that on the movie itself the title is MILITARY POLICEMEN. This makes me think that the print used was from England. Bob's line delivery is as sharp as ever. His timing impeccable. Mickey Rooney is good but the real scene stealer is Eddie Mayehoff as their officious superior officer. A lot of fun. Picture and sound are good. A good time but I would look for a discounted price since there are no extras.

Click to Editorial Reviews