the living standards of the poor was a hot topic at the end of the twentieth century, which helped to build the popularity of the film, as it engaged in the issue with a meaningful display.    

norman z. mcleod 's road to rio, starring bob hope, bing crosby, and dorothy lamour, is a comedy caper about two friends who catch a ride to rio de janeiro on an ocean liner in order to take down an evil hypnotist who is planning to marry off her niece to a gold digger.

the film takes place in many locations around the city and as one might imagine there are many gags involving hypnotism in the slapstick style.

crosby and lamour sing many of the songs themselves during the film including 'apalachicola, fla' and 'experience'.