Louisiana Purchase (film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Louisiana Purchase
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Irving Cummings
Produced by	Harold Wilson
Written by	Buddy G. DeSylva Morrie Ryskind Jerome Chodorov Joseph Fields
Starring	Bob Hope Vera Zorina Victor Moore Irène Bordoni Dona Drake
Music by	Robert Emmett Dolan
Cinematography	Harry Hallenberger Ray Rennahan
Editing by	LeRoy Stone
Studio	Paramount Pictures
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	December 25, 1941 (1941-12-25)
Running time	98 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Money made	$2.75 million (U.S. and Canada rentals)

Louisiana Purchase is a fun musical comedy film from 1941. It was directed by Irving Cummings and stars famous actors like Bob Hope, Vera Zorina, and Victor Moore. The movie is based on a popular Irving Berlin Broadway musical that came out in 1940.

This film was made by Paramount Pictures. It playfully makes fun of politics and how some people might try to be unfair. It was also special because it was Bob Hope's very first movie made in Technicolor, which means it was in full color!

The movie's title, Louisiana Purchase, refers to a real-life situation. The state of Louisiana made a deal with President Franklin Roosevelt. Louisiana agreed to stop a program that many people didn't like. In return, the President promised money from the government for public projects in Louisiana. Many people jokingly called this deal "the second Louisiana Purchase" because it reminded them of the original land deal in history.

The film featured some of the same actors who were in the original stage musical. These included Vera Zorina, Victor Moore, and Irène Bordoni. The movie was also recognized for its amazing visuals. It received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Art Direction and the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Story of the Film

The movie starts with a funny scene. A legal advisor in Hollywood says that the story of Louisiana Purchase is so wild, it can only be made into a movie if everyone knows it's completely made up. Then, a musical song helps explain this idea to the audience.

The Investigation Begins

The main character is Jim Taylor, a state representative in Louisiana. His business partners have been using government money in ways they shouldn't. They find out that a Senator named Oliver P. Loganberry is coming to Louisiana during the Mardi Gras celebration. The Senator plans to hold hearings to find out if they have been doing anything wrong.

Jim's friends decide that Jim should be the one to take the blame. They tell him he has one chance to avoid trouble: he must try to trick the Senator.

A Plan to Distract

Jim's friend, Madame Yvonne Bordelaise, suggests a visiting European woman named Marina Von Minden. Marina is looking for money to help her mother get a visa to leave Europe. She agrees to help Jim with his plan.

Marina initially goes along with the idea. She even poses for a photo that makes it look like the Senator is doing something wrong after he is tricked into drinking too much.

A Change of Heart

However, Marina changes her mind. She decides to explain the photos by saying that Senator Loganberry has actually asked her to marry him! Jim Taylor, who has fallen in love with Marina, tries to stop the Senator from making his accusations. He does this by talking for three days straight in the Legislature, a tactic known as a filibuster. Jim even jokes that he got permission from a famous movie character, James Stewart's character.

Main Cast