Beau James *** (1957, Bob Hope, Vera Miles, Paul Douglas) – Classic Movie Review 9434

Director Melville Shavelson’s 1957 biographical drama Beau James stars Bob Hope, who commendably does the unexpected and tackles the political and love affairs of James ‘Jimmy’ Walker, the 1920s mayor of New York City, with more success than his critics could imagine.

The intriguing story, Paramount Pictures’s lavish sets and costumes, and the careful attention to period detail make up for Hope’s slight shortcomings in serious acting ability and Jack Rose and Melville Shavelson’s script’s tendency to veer away from the truth and towards the sentimental.

Also in the cast are Paul Douglas, Vera Miles, Alexis Smith, Darren McGavin, Joe Mantell, Walter Catlett, Jack Benny, George Jessel, Jimmy Durante, Horace McMahon, Richard Shannon, Willis Bouchey and Sid Melton, with the voices of Walter Winchell and Alistair Cooke.

Beau James is directed by Melville Shavelson, runs 105 minutes, is made by Hope Enterprises, Paramount Pictures and Scribe Productions, is released by Paramount Pictures, is written by Jack Rose and Melville Shavelson, based on a book by Gene Fowler, is shot in Technicolor by John F Warren, is produced by Jack Rose and is scored by Joseph J Lilley.

Hope also starred in one other serious drama, The Seven Little Foys (1955).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9434

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