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Call Me Bwana

1963 1h 43m Comedy List
Reviews 50% Audience Score 50+ Ratings
A moon capsule containing important information accidentally lands in the possession of a remote African tribe, and the American government sends Matt Merriwether (Bob Hope), an expert on Africa, to retrieve it. But Washington is unaware that Matt, the "expert," is only a writer reaping the benefits of his uncle's reputation. When he arrives in Africa, Matt realizes that he's in too deep when he meets two secret agents (Anita Ekberg, Edie Adams) who are also searching for the capsule. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

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Bill Dunn Tampa Bay Times Bwana is enjoyable hot weather entertainment. Jan 13, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member The funniest Bob Hope comedy ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Frank Sinatra's frequent director, Gordon Douglas, take a shot (pun intended) at directing Bob Hope & Anita Ekberg in this average storied adventure, mystery - comedy. The talents on screen and off are what put this one over. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member so so vehicle for Bob Hope Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Another feeble 1960s Bob Hope comedy about him going to Africa to retrieve a moon capsule before the bad guys get it. Anita Edberg is one of the beautiful bad guys who uses here womanly charms on Bob. Edie Adams is Bob's partner in finding the missing McGuffin. Like most of Bob's pictures from this time, it's not very funny, but this film did contain a joke that I always remembered as a kit and still worked pretty well. The bad guys are trying to kill Bob and they put a deadly tarantula in his tend while he's asleep. The film does a big suspenseful build up with the spider crawling up Bob's arm (close-ups, dramatic music, etc.) and then Bob just casually brushes it off. There's also a bit where Bob golfs with Arnold Palmer that works fairly well too, but overall, it's still not so good. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member CALL ME BWANA (1963) Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member I wasn't as sold on this one as the other Hope stuff I've seen recently, but it has a few moments that made me laugh. Otherwise, a lot of it felt like I was literally watching someone make a Bob Hope travelogue. Definitely something worth a peep on cable, but may not be worth tracking down for a rental unless you're a bigger fan than I appear to be. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Call Me Bwana

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Call Me Bwana

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Movie Info

Synopsis A moon capsule containing important information accidentally lands in the possession of a remote African tribe, and the American government sends Matt Merriwether (Bob Hope), an expert on Africa, to retrieve it. But Washington is unaware that Matt, the "expert," is only a writer reaping the benefits of his uncle's reputation. When he arrives in Africa, Matt realizes that he's in too deep when he meets two secret agents (Anita Ekberg, Edie Adams) who are also searching for the capsule.
Director
Gordon Douglas
Producer
Harry Saltzman
Production Co
Danjaq Productions, Eon Productions Ltd.
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2020
Runtime
1h 43m