quartetoolinda.com – Call Me Bwana is a 1963 British-American comedy film starring Bob Hope, Anita Ekberg, and Edie Adams. Directed by Gordon Douglas, the film is a lighthearted adventure comedy that follows the misadventures of a bumbling anthropologist sent on a secret mission to Africa.
A Fake Expert in the Wild
Bob Hope plays Matthew Merriweather, a self-proclaimed expert on African culture who has never actually been to Africa. Despite his lack of experience, he is recruited by the U.S. government to retrieve a missing space probe that has crash-landed in the heart of the African jungle.
Armed with a safari hat, a pith helmet, and a briefcase full of outdated maps, Merriweather embarks on his perilous journey. Along the way, he encounters a variety of colorful characters, including a beautiful spy (Anita Ekberg) and a bumbling CIA agent (Edie Adams).
A Comedy of Errors
Call Me Bwana is a classic fish-out-of-water comedy, filled with slapstick humor, witty dialogue, and plenty of sight gags. Hope’s trademark comedic style is on full display, as he delivers a series of hilarious one-liners and physical comedy routines.
The film’s African setting provides ample opportunities for exotic locales, exotic animals, and exotic encounters. While the film’s portrayal of Africa is somewhat stereotypical, it is also undeniably entertaining.
A Nostalgic Delight
Call Me Bwana is a nostalgic throwback to the golden age of Hollywood comedies. It is a film that celebrates the spirit of adventure, the power of laughter, and the enduring appeal of Bob Hope’s unique brand of humor.