Road to Rio $4.5 million in rental income in its initial release period in the United States and was placed sixth in the top-grossing films of 1947. The critics liked it, with "The New York Times" saying in its review of February 19, 1948, inter alia: "With Bing Crosby and Bob Hope on the tramp again in “Road to Rio,” recklessly scattering jokes and rescuing perennial girl friend Dorothy Lamour from dangerous hypnotic trances, there’s fun to be had at the Paramount. Maybe this is not the funniest picture ever made; maybe it is not even quite as rewarding as some of those
Road to Bali by Lamour. Filming started on April 21, 1952 and continued until July of the same year. "Road to Bali" was a co-production of Bing Crosby Enterprises, Hope Enterprises and Paramount. The giant squid that threatens Bob Hope in an underwater scene was previously seen attacking Ray Milland in the Paramount production "Reap the Wild Wind" (1942), directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The erupting volcano climax was taken directly from the Paramount production "Aloma of the South Seas" (1941), also starring Lamour. In keeping with the film's initial setting of Melbourne, Australia, many of the jokes contain references to Argyle socks,