Reviews (20)

Abott & Costello's Best
By far my favorite Abbott & Costello movie ever. Costello is considered a traitor and sentenced to live in a well until he as a ghost can prove that he wasn't a traitor. He haunts Bud Abbott who plays a great great grandson of the man who betrayed Costello until he finally helps Costello...who plays a tinker, prove his innocence. The movie is very funny and in my opinion the best plot of any of the Abbott & Costello films. If you want one Abbott & Costello movie, this is the one you should get!!!

Slapstick and Sentiment
Lou Costello stars as a tinker who is mistakenly shot and killed as a traitor during the American Revolution, and then cursed to spend the rest of time until doomsday on the property where he died. Marjorie Reynolds is also trapped there with him as a ghost, and they develop a warm friendship as time goes by. The film fast forwards as a young couple restore the estate and move in, only to discover that the rumours about it being haunted are true. Bud Abbott stars as a visiting friend of theirs, a man who is a descendant of one of Costello's enemies. This is not a typical Abbott and Costello film, since they are not really teamed together, despite sharing some scenes, and it is also unusual because this film not only has the expected slapstick, but it also displays a lot of heart and sentiment. Costello and Reynolds are very effective as the unfairly accused traitors trying to put their pasts behind them (even after death), and Gale Sondergaard as the clairvoyant housekeeper is an excellent choice for that role. Fans of the duo and people who generally don't watch their films will want to catch this one because it will probably surprise them quite a bit.

The Greatest Abbott & Costello movie ever
I just finsihed reading everyone's reviews and agree wholeheartly: this is the BEST Abbott & Costello movie ever! I remember watching their movies every Sunday morning at 11:30 when I was a kid. But this one is by far the best and is my all time favorite! The funny thing is, I haven't met too many peoole who know this movie!

Bring on the DVD!!

The Creme de la Creme
There is a lot of silliness in most Abbott & Costello movies -- but not this one.

This is a great film, and so much more than an Abbott & Costello vehicle.

Truly great stuff.

The time of their Lives
I saw this when I was a kid and was facinated and enjoyed it immensly. It was a change from the slapstick comedy Abbott and Costello usually do. Costello is an intelligent man and I always hated when he was abused by Abbott. This was a movie that I would see a million times and am trying to get it on DVD ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Funny clips from their TV show
This tape is of an Abbott and Costello TV show. It is a collection of famous skits and musical numbers, like a variety show. Interestingly, it also includes the commercials! My 11-year old son is discovering the old comedians for himself and is enjoying the classics, like the Marx Brothers, Abbott and Costello, Charlie Chaplin, and the Stooges. Highly recommended for those who enjoy the classics.

Timeless
This video is timeless. Abbott and Costello is always entertaining. I highly recommend this video to anyone.

Sound quality very poor
I heartily agree with the other reviewer: the sound quality really detracts from the enjoyment of the material. I couldn't find another source, so I bought this anyway. The Hall of Fame in Cooperstown has a very clear sounding tape, but they don't sell it in their gift shop.

Classic!!!!
I really enjoyed seeing the "Who's On 1st?" routine for the first time. I also like seeing the commercial for Palmolive and Colgate. It's so weird to see how simple everything was back then compared to today.

Who's on First from Sterling Entertainment Group
The content is great, but the poor quality is a distraction to this fine content. I know this is an old film, but the quality of the audio is awful....a constant hiss and static. Also the program is recorded on EP...they've jammed 104 minutes on a very short tape, so the video image is at its worst. I hope to find this classic from a better distributor. Don't buy this - you'll be frustrated. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Universal Pictures made a great deal of money from its monster movies in the 1930s. In the early '40s, the burlesque team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello kept the studio's coffers full. When the two franchises were combined in 1948, the result was another windfall--despite the apparent oil-and-water mix of subject matter. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was the first of these summit meetings, although the title is a misnomer. Actually, Bud and Lou bump into most of the Universal heavy-hitters, including Count Dracula (played by Béla Lugosi himself), the Wolfman (Lon Chaney Jr.), and the Frankenstein monster (veteran monster Glenn Strange). There's even a token appearance by the Invisible Man, whose disembodied voice is recognizable as that of Vincent Price. Sure enough, the film is funny, especially since it gives the portly Costello multiple opportunities to do his wide-eyed, quivering scaredy-cat routine. Audiences ate it up, and in future installments Bud and Lou would run into Boris Karloff, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Invisible Man, and the Mummy. But the first was the best. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (86)

AN ALL-TIME CLASSIC!
This was the film that had me eagerly watching The Abbott & Costello Movie each week as a kid...praying that this would be the one aired. What a classic that works on so many levels. It's funny! It's scary! It's nostalgic! And most importantly it treats all of the Universal Monsters seriously! The movie does not make Dracula, Frankenstein, or the Wolf-Man cartoons an buffoons...Bud and Lou rightfully handle that aspect.

The DVD is overall a nice presentation complete with trailers, production notes and photos, a "Making of..." featurette, and an outstanding audio-commentary by film historian Gregory Mank. I loved this commentary because it includes a little bit of everything: how much did each actor make on the film, what were the actors like to work with, where did they go after making this film, where are they today, and how were aspects of this film made. You can tell that Mank did plenty of research before recording this commentary.

If you want to laugh, then check out Abbott and Costello and the monsters in one of the all-time classics from Universal. If you're a real fan of the Lon Chaney Wolf-Man character you may want to read the incredibly fun book by Jeff Rovin, The Return of the Wolf-Man which picks up right where this movie concludes.

Dracula, Frank, and Wolfman scare Bud Abbott & Lou Costello
Lon Chaney becomes "The Werewolf", Bela Logosi as "Dracula" and Glenn Strange as "Monster" (well we all know its Frankenstein). This film was a neat idea to get some of the well known liked actors who are known for their famous roles they have played before together again. Lon Chaney played "The Werewolf" in THE WOLF MAN (1941) and FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943). Bela Lugosi played "Dracula" in DRACULA (1931). Glenn Strange played the Frankenstein monster in HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1944). If you've seen this film before, I would recommend turning on the Audio Commentary of Film Historian, Gregory W. Mank. This commentary played throughout the film is very detailed and precise. It's wonderful to have a commentary that you can learn so much from. Bonus materials are: a 33-minute featurette, "Abbott & Costello Meet The Monsters". Very entertaining behind-the-scenes info and interesting tidbits. The host is David J. Skal. Also 109 Production Photographs, Theatrical Trailer, Production Notes and Cast & Filmmakers' film info.

Richard Lees thanks for your incite
I just acquired this A&C DVD so I checked into amazon to see what the other customers thought and I enjoyed Richard Lees' comments and I'd like to invite him and all Abbott & Costello fans to www.abbottandcostello.net (the official site) especially the message boards where fans can meet and exchange stories and info. There is a lot to talk about these days with many of the movies and TV shows finally being released on DVD.

And now my first impressions about this DVD:

I tend to agree with other reviewers that say that a less than pristine film print was used to transfer to DVD when compared to the print for "Hit The Ice" on The Best of Abbott & Costello Vol.2, for example. There are the film "artifacts" and less than sharp image with harsh contrasts and not the subtle gray tones you see in some of the movies on the "Best of" packages. When the boys first turn on the lights in McDougall's House of Horrors the picture quality is particularly bad. Oh well, I bought "...Meet Frankenstein" for the special features that likely will not be included when The Best of Abbott and Costello Vol.3 comes out in August. I hope Universal has remastered the film for that edition, it will be the third time I have purchased "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein". Yes, the film is that good. So I give 4 stars for the movie itself and the extras and not give it a full 5 stars because of defects in the print and/or transfering to DVD. Also, this DVD was a little pricey. For example, it cost twice as much (where I live) as "Once Upon a Time In The West" which just came out in a 2 DVD special edition with all the bells and whistles.

Bud and Lou's Fairst and and great scary comedy
I have just recieved Abbott and Costello meets Frankenstein and it is better watching it on DVD than on video, this is because of better sound and picture quality and to see a couple of very rare outtakes and the cometary was very interesting and informative about the actors and actress of it and of course the director. the interviews with daughter of Lou was also very interesting as well as the other people in the documentary.

I would highly recommend this DVD if you are an Abbott and Costello fan.

A Little family gratitude for all your kind reviews
Hello All
I was just wandering through amazon and came upon this section and was just delighted to find "A&C meet Frankenstein" getting such nice compliments.
I would like to let you all know that my father Robert Lees and his writing partner and an old family friend, Freddy Rinaldo, wrote this film.
Freddy is no longer with us but my father is still, all of 92 years old, and is thrilled that after all these years you all like the film.
A little addenda:
You all must remember that A&C were essentially radio comedians,
and it was from his training in radio that Costello had the bad habit of coming unglued if he didn't consistantly get laughs from the crew for each gag each take, no matter how many takes were involved in getting a scene right.. For him the crew was a live audience, so if he didn't take the house down, he would put in another piece of business and reinvent the scene on the spot until he did - and he was very inventive! I don't know how successfull they were, but they tried to take him aside and explain how important it was to actually follow the script!! Dad said that Lugosi enjoyed this aspect of Costello very much although I'm not so sure whether the director did, or the writers either for that matter.
Both Dad and Fred respected the "horror/terror" genre in literature very much noting to me when I was younger how complex and interesting the form had become in the hands of writers like Dunsynane Tolstoy Lovecraft Saki,or Poe to name a few.
Tolstoy wrote some strange and luminous things in this old form, once a short story about a Vampyre.
But in those days and by the time Universal Studios got through exploiting it all, "The Wolfman meets Dracula, meets Frankenstein,meets the Mummy, meets the Andrews Sisters" well, lets just say that the bloom was well off the rose.....
And so the object for them was not to parody the genre (at least the serious part) but to parody what Universal Studios had by this time done to the genre....
One of my favorite parts in the film is that sublimely dysfunctional chase scene at the end.
And its true, they had a blast writing the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

The first army thought of comic relief.
When my adopted son went off to boot camp and later Korea, these movies were a must to beef-up moral: ABBOTT and COSTELLO in BUCK PRIVATES, BUCK PRIVATES COME HOME; and BILL MURRAY in STRIPES. All display a humorous perspective on army life and an after-army attitude that can survive drill sargeants. Laughs R Lou and Bub Personally, I also love the song and dance routines of THE ANDREW SISTERS, too. Many try but none can compare to their jazzy- swing combination of harmonized tunes.

Buck Up
In order to avoid arrest, A&C enlist in the army and get tangled in a romantic subplot involving a millionaire, his former valet, and a camp hostess. Silly fun takes place on the eve of World War II, with Abbott and Costello scoring laughs and the Andrews Sisters singing "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Apple Blossom Time." Funny, despite the silly romance.

Running and Pushing??
It is my own reflections that you cannot judge the A and C Films in a singular way. If you watch just one of their best it looses its impact,rather, I suggest that you catch three at a time in this way you can fall into their brand of absurd comedy.

I was hooked as a kid and guess what , their films have more legs than most of the comedy giants of the past..for sure..

Jane Frazee is here ,along with the likes of Lee Bowman and even Shemp Howard..> The Andrews Sisters provie a bit of pace without slowing it all down too much..and these DVD transfers are fine..all proving once again that there has never been a better "straight " man than the peerless Bud Abbott..
CP

Not so funny
This guys maybe were funny in 1950 but today... Tons of cliches of old times comedy and nothing original. Better buy Stan and Laurel!

One of the beat
You will love this movie.There is plenty of funny scenes with costello and the sergent.Buy this.Its their first full film apperanece(besides One Night in the tropics). This is a classic. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Suspenceful,and very hilarious Bud and Lou in fine form.
This is undoubtedly one of the best they have ever done. However I can truly say all Abbot and Costello is great. In this story the pair inherit a mansion from a dying gangster Moose Manson. He always told his associates he kept the hiding place for his money "in my head". They are joined in this movie by three actors who help move the story at a good pace. The dialogue is never slow or boring and always exciting and funny.One of my favorite parts is a dance sequence with Lou and his female companion kind of a satirical waltz.And of course when they find the money alot of things come together. Don't let the title scare you this is a great movie for the entire family. And like all of the pairs films it has a happy ending. They just don't make'm like this anymore my collection will contain all that these two ever made before too long. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. B.A.& J.A.

GREAT FUN
Abbott and Costello at the height of hilarity. With Joan Davis on hand to buoy the merriment, the Andrews Sisters providing a touch of camp, and a better-than-average number of well-wrought thrills, this film remains one of the best examples of that rarely successful subgenre, the horror farce....A creepy, haunted house setting, the playground of a good many comics since the advent of the movies, provided the perfect setting for Abbott and Costello's second 1941 feature - HOLD THAT GHOST, which is, in my opinion, the team's greatest movie. The lines are clever and witty and the supporting cast is very good. The pair got plenty of competition in the laughs department from Joan Davis. Active in show biz since infancy, the klutzy comedienne's broad antics provider her with a welcome respite from the moonlight and roses schmaltz of playing second banana, for instance, to Sonja Henie in her films. Complimenting each other's uninhibited zaniness, Davis and Costello share some great moments. The couple perform a fractured rendition of the BLUE DANUBE WALTZ; Davis also contributes immensely to the amusement of the famed moving candle sequence. Evelyn Ankers is good to look at (in her first exposure to the genre in which she would be forever associated); her she's go a crush on the blandly versatile Richard Carlson - amusingly portraying a 1941 health nut.

Great service and very quick
This is one of my favorites , I would deal with them a lot more. sorry it took me so long to write this feedback.

Entertaining, But Thwarted By Weak Story and Script
Abbott and Costello were among the most popular comic teams in Hollywood history, and 1941's HOLD THAT GHOST is generally considered one of their better early films. Like most Abbott and Costello movies, the film exists exclusively as a set up for the pair's comic routines. By an absurd twist of fate, two gas station attendants fall heir to an isolated and decaying inn previously owned by a gangster--and, as in the usual manner of such films, find themselves stranded at the inn with a sinister guide, a silly scientist, a blonde beauty, a dizzy dame, and a host of half-seen "ghostly" characters who are out to find the dead gangster's loot. Walls slide open, bodies fall from behind curtains, beds unexpectedly turn into craps tables, and candles float in midair. It's all as broad as Abbott and Costello's comic style.

Abbott and Costello are, well, Abbott and Costello: bigger than life, over the top, and never eschewing the obvious if they think it will get a giggle. If you're in the market for sophisticated wit, you're in the wrong store--but at their best and armed with top rate material they could be extremely entertaining. Unfortunately, the script is weak, and you won't find anything here to compare to such classic turns as "Who's On First;" even so, the duo gives it everything they've got, and they manage to lift this excursion from the purely silly to the mildly amusing.

The supporting cast is quite solid here. Evelyn Ankers, best known as the ingenue in the horror classic THE WOLFMAN, is the blonde beauty of note; although the script offers her little, she's an attractive performer. While the motion picture industry gave her little more than occasional character roles, Joan Davis would go on considerable 1950s television fame with the series "I Married Joan," and her broad comic style is a perfect match for the Abbott and Costello brand of comedy--and when she pairs with Lou Costello to dance "The Blue Danube" the result is pure magic. There is also a brief cameo by "Stooge" Shemp Howard. HOLD THAT GHOST also offers a few musical moments, and film fans will find them particularly interesting, for they give a glimpse of the now-forgotten Ted Lewis performing his classic "Me and My Shadow" routine and early footage of The Andrews Sisters, who perform the seldom heard "Sleepy Serenade" and "Aurora." It's all in good fun, but while mildly amusing this really isn't one of Abbott and Costello's more memorable films. Recommended, but to hardcore fans only.

--GFT (Amazon Reviewer)--

The funniest Abbott and Costello movie ever
This is by no doubt the funniest of all movies ever made. I also liked this movie because of Richard Carlson's performance. I remember him from CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON and he's really good in horror and comedy movies. My review's not going to what happens in the movie, like a summary, but I'm going to give you my impression of this movie.

First of all, when Costello slides down a railing, I laughed the hardest I ever did in my life. I just kept talking about that. And also, Costello's performance in the whole movie is funny. What Costello does with a gun is funny, his waiter job part is funny, and when he falls from the bed when the room transforms is so funny. Well, I don't want to say any more except that I think that all fans MUST see this one. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

After All
Name any other mummy in any other mummy show who is that nimble and has loose bandages half coming undone, who takes your hand when you put it out to him. Or Marie Windsor in a harem suit at Dr. Zoomer's house chasing Lou around. Or Bud wondering if a lost tie clasp was showing up on the x-ray of Lou's stomach. Name a more pitiful hole ever dug in the history of movies.[about 2 feet deep to bury TWO mummies.] Or Bud just happening to find a bag of bandages so he could be a mummy too. Just watching Marie wheel her horse around [she was a champion rider who was able to run and mount a horse from behind like the Lone Ranger, the only actress able to do that.] is a pleasure. This may be the best movie ever made....just trashes Citizen Kane. I have it tied with 'Dr. Strangelove' and 'The Apostle' as the three best movies ever made. Pure Poetry, every minute.

Yikes! The comedy is kept under wraps here...
The Abbott and Costello films fit into one of two categories; really good or really bad. Sadly, this film sits in the later camp. I'm not sure what the screenwriters and Bud & Lou were thinking when they concocted this strange mishmash of bad comedy and bad horror. The Universal Mummy films were always the weakest of their horror films (the exception is the eerie but really slowwwwww first film with Boris Karloff. It's only alive in the very beginning).

I'd suggest sticking with the first and best of this bunch A&C Meet Frankenstein. All the later films (including Dr. Jekell & Mr. Hyde)are little more than pale imitations.

Any A&C film is only as good as their routines. This one, sadly, doesn't have very inspired ones. The best involving the tools is a pale imitation of the who's on first variety. They don't make them like this anymore (on second thought....what about all those Halloween and Friday The 13th sequels? They're not comedies? What?)

Best of the "meet the monsters" series
Fans of the original Mummy movie featuring Kharis the mummy, The Mummy's Hand (not to be confused with Boris Karloff's radically different and unrelated 1932 film titled "The Mummy") could have seen this movie coming. The original film that introduced Kharis is somewhat in the same vein as Abbott & Costello as far as story and characterization are concerned. In fact, the original duo cast in the Mummy's Hand are similar to and could have been better cast as Abbott & Costello.

In a sense, this movie brings Kharis full circle long after the demise of Ananka in his own movies, he finally meets his end here in a slightly more humorous picture than his first. However, the similarities between the two could almost make this the final instalment in the canon, other than out of continuity (like Abbott & Costello's other "meet the monster" movies).

My only complaint with this DVD is that it did not have a great commentary like Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein. But it's still a great DVD, and the sight of the two charicatures running madly accross the main menu is enough entertainment (yes, i can be simple-minded, but then again it is Abbott & Costello i'm talking about).

Abbott & Costello, sadly, did not go on to make any more pictures after this one, but this is still some of their greatest material. So in two ways, this movie has a sense of finality: the last Kharis movie, and the last Abbott & Costello movie. It should also be a must-have in the collection of any fan of either.

My favorite A&C movie.
Saw these and liked them as a kid in the 1950's. My kinds don't care for them. This is the one i liked the best.

Who Cares About Behind-The-Scenes Grumbling?
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE MUMMY was one of the funniest of their screwball antics. The tale of the two cleverest yucksters chasing a medallion to an ancient Egyptian crypt where they encounter -- as the title promises -- the Mummy is one classic set of laughs after another. All of the trades touched on the bitterness the two men felt for one another during the filming process of this outing, but, with all the magic of their performances still on the silver screen, you sure wouldn't know it. A great transfer for a classic addition to any DVD library, this is one for the ages. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

TWO OF LOU and ABBOT's BEST!
What makes ABBOT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN dynamic is that Bella Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. play the monster roles as straight as their audence expects. They should have received bonuses for restraint! It's funny, scarry, and flies with an active story and creative cast. IN ABBOT & COSTELLO MEET THE INVISIBLE MAN, the boys are fresh out of detective school and looking for a place to start. A famous boxer, Tommy Nelson is wrongfully accused of murder. By a freak lab insident, Tommy is made invisible and needs LOU and ABBOT to find a rat in and out of the boxing ring. You have to see the fight scene with Costello. It roars! Excellent combination.

"I saw two men...carrying no man."
By the 1950's, Abbott and Costello's film career was beginning to slide. Fortunately, "A&C MEET THE INVISIBLE MAN" is a bright spot among these later films. Since it seemed unlikely that the scare comedy of "MEET FRANKENSTEIN" could be topped, someone wisely decided to make this more of a mystery-comedy with a sci-fi twist thrown in. And it works. Bud and Lou are joined by a great supporting cast including Arthur Franz (as the invisible one), Sheldon Leonard, and William Frawley (very funny as a befuddled detective!)

Meet the Invisible Man
Abbott and Costello meet the Invisible Man is their adventure as two private eyes hired by boxer (Arthur Franz) to prove his innocent of murdering his manager. Franz takes the invisibility serum and with the aid of Costello acting as a "champion" boxer, with Frantz doing the boxing, the duo find the real killer.

Franz takes the same invisibility serum as Claude Rains took in the original The Invisible Man. You will see his picture hanging in the scientist's lab.

Abbott and Costello later meet Dr. Jekyll and Hyde (1953) and The Mummy (1955); they had already met Frankenstein (1948) and The Killer Boris Karloff (1949).

THE BEST OF ABBOTT AND COSTELLO
The best of Abbott and Costello is definitely in this pack!I love Abbott and Costello(as actors)!Not even the 3 stooges can beat the abbott and costello when they meet the monsters!Everyone should have the right to watch the talented Bud Abbott and Lou Costello!There should be more copies!So whoever is reading this that hasn,t seen it I won't spoil it,only give a tiny summary on my favorite one.:
Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde
Slim and Tubby(Bud and Lou)are American cops in London to study police tactics and knowing them,they wind up in jail. They are bailed out by Dr. Jekyll who has been murdering fellow doctors who laugh at his experiments. The boys look to solve the recent murders to get back on the police force. The serum ends up into the system of Tubby and several police officers, causing many Hyde's running around London.

Classic Family Fun at its best
Bud & Lou graduate detective school or at least Bud does, Lou graduates because the teacher is bribed. A suspected killer comes to them to help prove he is innocent and later becomes invisible to hide from the police who happens to be william frawley (fred mertz from i love lucy). frawley had lou sent to a shrink to explain disappearing men and ends up hypnotizing the shrink - very funny. The theme is a boxing frame up, when a figher doesnt take a dive and knocks out the mobs boxer- you get a murder. Next Bud and lou go undercover as boxer and manager to prove the set up and with the invisble man as lou's real boxing hands it is very funny and a very well put together hollywood gem that you can watch with the whole family, unlike the current [stuff] hollywood puts out today, this is good clean fun and a keeper. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

One of the boys best films of the 1950's
Abbott and Costello were one of the best duos of comedy history and too bad that they had to break up and it is my understanding that Abbott and Costello didn't get along with each other but oh well, during their recent years the Abbott and Costello movies weren't doing very well like they were in the 1940's with classic movies like Hold That Ghost (my favorite one), Hit the Ice, Naughty Ninties and Meet Frankenstein, the best part of the whole movie is when Costello gets his foot stuck on the railroad tracks and he gets off the track within inches of getting hit by a train, I'll never forget my reaction when I watched that part, and if you're looking for a great Abbott and Costello, watch this movie, and avoid Lost in Alaska and Meet the Mummy.

One of Their Best
Abbott & Costello star in this hilarious film set back in 1914 and while searching for a swindler named Gormon, end up in Hollywood. Would recommend for A&C Fans

Not Top Drawer, but Amusing
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were nearing the end of their reign as Universal's top comedians by the time MEET THE KEYSTONE KOPS was made, and it did indeed seem as if the bottom of the barrel were being scraped to find ideas for the boys' films. While hardly a classic, KEYSTONE KOPS at least has an interesting concept that appears to be partly inspired by Lou's early career as a movie stuntman. There is more slapstick than usual for A&C, and a few hair raising stunts, which is appropriate for a comedy set in Hollywood circa 1912. Fred Clark gives the film a real boost as a swindler turned movie director; he is an excellent foil for Bud and Lou. Comedy legend Mack Sennett makes a welcome and all too brief appearance as himself. Keep an eye out for veteran Keystone comedians Herold Goodwin, Hank Mann, and Heinie Conklin. Lou's daughter Carole does a brief bit with her dad at the beginning of the film. Recommended for kids, die hard A&C fans, and anyone wanting to relax with some nostalgic nonsense.

ONE OF ABBOTT & COSTELLO'S BEST FILMS
Abbott & Costello go to Hollywood in search of a swindler and become movie stars. Ed Clark plays 'Gorman' a con-man who cheats the boys out of a small fortune, by selling them the original Thomas Edison movie theatre. The climatic chase scene is a must see as the boys enlist the aid of the famous Keystone Kops,and their attempt to ride a motorcyle with sidecar. A & C at their FINEST. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not so good................
I agree that this film has some fine gags in it, but it moves with the pace of a vaudville show. Bud and Lou will have a scene, then Dorothy Shay will sing a song, the Bud and Lou, the Dorothy........and so on and so on of about 75 minutes. It isn't an awful film, it just doesn't live up to the standards the boys set for themselves. For the most part they had grown out of this sort of pacing by around 1946, and this film seems to set them back quite a few steps. It took a few films before they'd find their stride again.

Laughs!
As with most A&C films, this one included humor which can only be found in their movies. Being one of my favorites, "Comin' Round the Mountain" will have you laughing until your side hurts. It has a good story as well, laced, however, with many DUMB songs. I suppose having five or six singing pieces in a comedy was supposed to be popular back then, but it starts to get on your nerves after a while. I guess that's what they made the fast forward button for.

It's a very good one, however, and remains my favorite to this day. The funniest part would have to be the Voodoo gag in which the dialogue is as follows:

Costello: "What's she doing?"

AbbotT: "She's making Voodoo"

Costello: "I do?"

Abbott: "Voodoo!"

Costello: "I do what?"

It's full of laughs!

Some big laughs sabotaged by too many songs
This could've and should've been one of A&C's funnier movies but whenever things get moving Dorothy Shay starts singing and the movie grinds to a halt. At least Costello mugs his way through most of the songs. The voodoo doll scene is by far the funniest and the scene where the hillbillies crawl into bed with Lou is a hit. Definitely worth a look for fans, but the songs are hard to endure.

ONE OF ABBOTT & COSTELLO'S BEST FILMS
Bud and Lou play nightclub performers who get involved in a hillbilly feud. One of the film's BEST and FUNNIEST highlights features a cameo from Margaret Hamliton as mountain which. She and Lou get into a HILARIOUS duel of voodoo dolls with Bud scratching his head in bewilderment.

The Funniest A&C bit in the Movies
Forget "Who's on First". Do you want to REALLY laugh? Fast forward to the scene of Costello and country witch Margaret Hamilton (a real departure from her previous role in Wizard of Oz). They have a hilarious battle of Dueling Voodoo Dolls, with Abbott just scratching his head in bewilderment. Simply the Best!!! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

My favorite Abbott and Costello movie
This has always been my favorite A & C movie. The routines the two have are hilarious, the Andrew Sisters are wonderful, and I absolutely love the main song "Where in the Navy, Watch Dogs of Liberty!". Makes me want to go back to the recruiting and rejoin!

Armed Forces
Abbott & Costello in their prime. This is a very good picture for them. Very funny, any Abbott & Costello or old time comedy fan would enjoy this one. The scene when Costello adds up the donuts on the chalkboard is one of the most classic and hysterical scenes you will ever see. The ending could've been better but other then that the movie was outstanding.

Excellent!!!
This is an excellent film, definetly one of Abbott and Costello's best, especially if you like the andrews sisters.
A well worth buy.

Abbott & Costello have fun being in the Navy
Abbott & Costello follow up their success in "Buck Privates" with another service comedy, "In the Navy," also directed by Arthur Lubin. Russ Raymond (Dick Powell), the top crooner on the radio, abandons his career and joins the Navy under the name Tommy Halstead. He is assigned to the U.S.S. Alabama, where he meets up with Smoky Adams (Abbott) and Pomeroy Watson (Costello), and they all have to endure Chief Petty Officer Dynamite Dugan (Dick Foran). The two main story lines here have to do with romance. Young newspaper photographer Dorothy Roberts (Claire Dodd) sneaks on board to get candid photos of "Tommy," and they fall in love. Meanwhile, Pomeroy has been writing love letters to Patty Andrews of the Andrews Sisters, saying he is an officer instead of a baker. To impress her on Visitor's Day, Pomeroy pretends to be the captain and tries to put on an impressive show for his lady love.

This film's official title was "Abbott and Costello and Dick Powell in the Navy," a way of keeping everybody happy with the billing. This film finds the boys doing their famous "Lemon Bit," when Smoky makes change for Pomeroy's cash and keeps asking questions involving numbers to change the count. Shemp Howard plays Dizzy in this scene, but he is given nothing special to do. Costello also has a classic bit where he simply tries to get into his hammock. Surprisingly, "In the Navy" was a bigger hit than "Buck Privates," and finally convinced the studio that they could carry a film by themselves. I do not think it is quiet as funny, mainly because the boys are forced to share so much screen time with Powell and the Andrews Sisters, but this is one of their better comedies.

One of the funniest family type movies around
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are at their zaniest in this Naval Splash of a comedy. Enjoy the `water gag'. It will keep you in stitches, Abbott & Costello certainly were. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Dr. Jekyll - We must Hyde
Tubby (Lou) and Slim (Bud) are two police officers in London studying the English police methods. After getting kick off the force, they determine that if they can catch the monster that has been killing prominent doctors they will be able to get their jobs back. Dr. Jekyll (Karloff) is experimenting with the idea of separating "good from evil" and in his lab is transforming character traits between various animals (e.g. Tubby has a bunny rabbit snap at him). Dr. Jekyll's ward Vicky falls for a newspaperman Bruce - Jekyll has loved Vicky for years and he decides to become Mr. Hyde to get rid of Bruce. While hunting for the monster in Dr. Jekyll's home, Tubby falls on a hypodermic needle, becomes a monster, and the chase begins.

This is an excellent movie for Karloff and Abbott & Costello fans.

Fun horror remake, though not screamingly funny
This movie has taken a bum rap over the years. The vast majority of people who've seen it -- particularly Abbott and Costello fans -- don't like it. Some even hate it. The reason: they say it just is not funny.

Actually, there are some VERY funny moments...but less than a half-dozen of them. Yet, this is a film Abbott & Costello fans will want to see (and own) -- and ANYONE who is a classic horror movie fan will want to OWN IT (remember that as we move into the 21st century this is unlikely to be available so now is the time!).
Firstly, I'm a bit biased about this film. This is the very first movie I remember seeing as a kid and the first I remember seeing in a movie theater. I have not seen it since I bought it on Amazon-- and was NOT disappointed!

Why? I like horror movies. And this is less of an Abbott & Costello movie than a low-budget remake of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with Boris Karloff in the title role.

If you're a Karloff fan like I am, this is a TREASURE: he is at his evil, slimiest best...even glowering at times. Special effects were clearly Universal Studios style, essentially the same effect as used in the Wolfman series. The movie seldom lags but it is made according to the Universal horror formula at the times (less like an A&C film).

View this film NOT as a hilarious Abbott & Costello comedy but a remake of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with an appearance by Abbott and Costello and you'll love it. The comedy team really doesn't do all that much in this movie and most seems derivative from their other horror spoofs. This also has far less comedy overall than those other films but as a REMAKE of this HORROR movie with A&C it is WELL worth the money.

When Costello hilariously, if predictably, gets some of the transformation formula at the end it seems more like a typical A&C movie...and the final scene with the policemen sucking their Costello-monster-bitten fingers, with the final (guess?) finale result is a classic.

As a FILM -- a remake of this story with Boris Karloff at his sleaziest best -- it rates an enthusiastic four stars. If you're absolutely looking for a hilarious A&C movie it would then be three and a half or a bit less. But it is WORTH seeing and owning -- and this lesser known entry will be hard to find...so if you see it's available grab it NOW!

Not so Funny or entertaining.
One of Bud and Lou's weaker film outings has them meeting Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde in this lower budget, somewhat poor directed film with fewer laughs and the not so sinsester performance of Boris Karloff. Not a very good film at all.

Hyde & Seek
While it doesn't measure up to A & C MEET FRANKENSTEIN, this film has its amusing moments, particularly the climax.Bud & Lou's attempt to find Jekyll's formula and stumbling instead into his wine cellar was a nice bit too. Karloff's smoothly sinister Jekyll is a joy to watch; only Vincent Price could have spread the evil treacle so thickly! Overall, the pacing lags in places, but still great fun.

Special effects and shopworn slapstick poorly mixed.
Abbott and Costello may have been one of the all time great comedy teams, but this effort does not do them justice. The whole thing seems lifeless, as they were doing it simply to meet a contractual obligation with Universal Pictures. Director Charles Lamont cannot hide the movie's low budget (shots are recycled so many times that it becomes painful to see), obviously all the money went to the transformation and monster effects. Your time would be better spent with A&C meet Frankenstein. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Killer!
A very good murder mystery. However, this is not the funniest performance Abbott & Costello put on. One of the better stories for an Abbott & Costello movie. This movie reminds me much of "Clue" and has it's similarities to the Pink Panther's "Shot In The Dark". Overall this is a fine movie for murder mystery fans but if you're looking for laughs there aren't as many in this one. Try "Rio Rita", "In The Navy" or "Time Of Their Lives".

Another Good - Who Done It?
Another who done-it with a hotel bellhop Freddie (Lou Costello) and house detective Casey (Bud Abbott) become mixed up in a murder at the "Lost Cavern" hotel. A famous lawyer gets kills and the evidence points to Freddie and as Casey tries to help, Freddie gets into worse trouble. The Swami (Karloff) tries to hypnotize Freddie into killing himself but with his subnormal mentality Freddie can't be hypnotize - at one point Freddie is ask how he want to die and he responds "old age." Finally Freddie is lured to the Lost Caverns and finally chases the real killer back to the hotel.

The movie has lots of laughs with dead bodies turning up and moving around on Freddie. Seeing Lou dress up, as a hotel maid is a sight one must see. Karloff's main scene is when he tries to hypnotize Freddie - his part is not large but effective.

Great movie!!
I have rented this movie at least 11 times! Even the children love it. This is one of there best movies!!

A and C Fun for all
This is a real snappy comedy mystery.Alan Mowbray plays the hotel manager. Karloff seems to be having so much fun saying his lines.He borrowed Bela's hand techniques here with hypnotic results

The A and C routines are just fine with dead bodys all over the place and the big search for the culprit who may not be the murderer. All this and Lenore Aubert too!! How can you miss it!!

Bud & Lou Meet the Red Herring, Boris Karloff
Surely we're revealing no secrets that Boris isn't the killer in this film. What he is,however, is extremely funny! Karloff was a seasoned pro who could hold his own in any genre he attempted, and he comes off just fine playing against our two favorite ex-burleque comics. Fine special effects during the cave climax add to the thrills, ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Fast-paced comedy mystery.
Early Abbott and Costello flick that converts a murder mystery into frantic comedy. Nazi spies infest a major radio station in the early days of WWII. Bud and Lou are soda jerks at a nearby drug store lunch counter. When the "Murder at Midnight" program turns seriously deadly, our heroes pretend to be detectives and investigate the murder. The real detectives chase Bud and Lou around the radio station as the boys stay one step ahead of the crooks. Bud and Lou make the most of their comedic opportunities. They are more energetic and enthusiastic for the material than in their later films. There are none of the intrusive musical numbers that plagued some of A&C's other films. In fact, there isn't an Andrews Sister in sight. Some grumble that Lou Costello copied his comedy style from Curly Howard of the Three Stooges. Regardless of the merits of that argument, snappy dialogue and frenetic sight gags move the action right along. The laughs come in rapid-fire fashion. Check out Lou's encounter with the transcript recordings of killers in action, and the disembodied voice that inquires, "Do you have halitosis?" His attempt to make an urgent telephone call (ALexander 2: 2-2-2-2!) from a busy pay telephone with an unresponsive operator is also hilarious. William Bendix adds to the fun as a slow-witted police detective. Bud tells Lou to flirt with the station president's secretary (Mary Wickes) to help them get into the radio business. She studies a book on various ways to commit murder, or, in Lou's phrase, "...different ways to cook a guy's goose."

Great comedy is timeless. This movie has a very '40s look to it, but Bud and Lou manage to keep the comedy fresh and energetic. The movie is of value to collectors of classic comedy. It's also a good chance to introduce the kids to the world of Abbott and Costello. Enjoy the fun. ;-)

Absolutely Hilarious!
This one doesn't get mentioned as much as "Hold That Ghost" or "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstien" but it is one of their best. Chick (Bud) and Mervin (Lou) are working in a diner but trying to break into radio as writers for the mystery show "Murder at Midnight". There is just one great gag and skit followed by another, and Bud and Lou turn every situation in this great and well written comedy into utter chaos. In technical terms, this movie is a hoot!

The very pretty Louise Albritton trys to help Patrick Knowles break into radio but he is having none of it and offers to help Bud and Lou by inviting them to a live broadcast of "Murder at Midnight". During the broadcast of course a real murder occurs and the boys see this as their big break. They impersonate the police in order to solve the murder of the radio station owner themselves and become the only radio writers to actually solve a real crime. What could possibly go wrong?

Mervin romances very funny Juliet (Mary Wickes) along the way and William Bendix has a nice turn as Brannigan, a cop who isn't even as smart as Lou. The cops, headed by William Gargen as Lt. Moran, are after Chick and Mervin and since Lou has the real clue to the crime in his pocket, so is the murderer. Jimmy (Knowles) and Jane (Albritton) work together to find out who commited the crime while all this is going on and decide to go live with a new "Murder at Midnight" to flush out the real culprit.

The first shot of Bud and Lou working in the diner as Lou attempts to give a customer a slice of limburger cheese is worth the price of this movie alone. From beginning to end this film is side splittingly funny. While on the run from Lt. Moran and the killer Mervin wins a $10,00.00 radio contest. If avoiding the cops so they can collect isn't enough trouble Mervin has to come up with some kind of photo ID in order to collect. What does he finally produce? His membership card to the Girl Scouts, troup #34!

This is a terrific movie that will make you feel good. They even poke fun at themselves and their famous skit "Who's on First" in this one. I highly recommend this film if your a fan of Bud and Lou or old time radio or both. This film is a nice reminder of why many people consider Bud Abbott and Lou Costello to be the funniest comedy team ever. Don't miss this one!

One of My Favorite A&C's
Along with A&C Meet Frankenstein and The Time of Their Lives, this is one of my favorite A&C films. Don Porter is great as the villian. One of the first films where Costello and a cop are constantly fighting (pre-Mike the cop).

Some of the classic routines : Operator give me Alexander 2222 and Volts are Watt?

Great Bud and Lou Comedy from 1942.
Bud and Lou play Soda Jerks at a radio station who want to write mysteries for the station there. They attend a radio play and witness the manager being murdered. Bud and Lou then try to solve the murder only to find that both the police and the "real killer" want them taken in "dead or alive." Lots of laughs here including Lou trying to make a phone call only to be told "the line is busy" co-starring Mary Wickens and William Bendix, as a detective who is even dumber then the character Lou plays. Good clean comedy. a pity they don't make them like this anymore. Screenplay by John Grant, Stanley Roberts and Edmond Joseph. Directed by Erle C. Kenton.

Who Done It? Who Cares?
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello star as two guys trying to get into radio writing and performing, who stumble into a murder committed live on the air, and in order to make a name for themselves, pretend they are detectives that can solve it. The murdered man is the president of the network. Along for the mystery are such familiar classic film faces as Patric Knowles, William Bendix, Mary Wickes, Louise Allbritton, and Jerome Cowan. There's not much to the mystery, as it pretty much forms the thread for linking together the boys' antics and slapstick routines. So don't expect to be on the edge of your seat through the movie, waiting for the solution. Costello is especially manic in this one, bouncing off of everything and everyone. I did enjoy seeing them make fun of themselves a few times, and there were a some clever moments. It's an Abbott and Costello film, so you get what you get. It's not the best I've seen from them, but it's better than a number of their other films. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Horsin' Around
Below par Abbott & Costello film. Would be good a very good movie on it's own standing but not quite as good as other Abbott & Costello flicks. The picture has one of the better stories and in my opinion is one of the pictures they've done that the whole family could watch together. There are very funny parts as with all Abbott & Costello pictures but it certainly could've been better. I would not recommend this is a purchase...if you want a good Abbott & Costello picture try "Time Of Their Lives", "Buck Privates" or "Hold That Ghost". This one you can skip.

Basic Good A&C Fun
One of Abbott and Costello's better excursions, this film was out of ciculation due to legal entanglements. Whatever circumstances allowed its video release, Universal MCA certainly didn't involve itself, and that is a shame. Their print would have been clean and fresh, as indicated by their other Abbott and Costello releases. The current video copy of "It ain't Hay" is a muddied, multi-generational print. To be fair, it still is very watchable (no splices). I recommend it.

it aint hay....nay
Not one of Abbott@ Costello's best. They seem to be going through the motions...routines are too short... Costello tries pathos with mixed results....Abbott is really mean to Costello when he slaps his face.... The music and dancing is grade z.......................Disappointing! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Dr. Jekyll - We must Hyde
Tubby (Lou) and Slim (Bud) are two police officers in London studying the English police methods. After getting kick off the force, they determine that if they can catch the monster that has been killing prominent doctors they will be able to get their jobs back. Dr. Jekyll (Karloff) is experimenting with the idea of separating "good from evil" and in his lab is transforming character traits between various animals (e.g. Tubby has a bunny rabbit snap at him). Dr. Jekyll's ward Vicky falls for a newspaperman Bruce - Jekyll has loved Vicky for years and he decides to become Mr. Hyde to get rid of Bruce. While hunting for the monster in Dr. Jekyll's home, Tubby falls on a hypodermic needle, becomes a monster, and the chase begins.

This is an excellent movie for Karloff and Abbott & Costello fans.

Fun horror remake, though not screamingly funny
This movie has taken a bum rap over the years. The vast majority of people who've seen it -- particularly Abbott and Costello fans -- don't like it. Some even hate it. The reason: they say it just is not funny.

Actually, there are some VERY funny moments...but less than a half-dozen of them. Yet, this is a film Abbott & Costello fans will want to see (and own) -- and ANYONE who is a classic horror movie fan will want to OWN IT (remember that as we move into the 21st century this is unlikely to be available so now is the time!).
Firstly, I'm a bit biased about this film. This is the very first movie I remember seeing as a kid and the first I remember seeing in a movie theater. I have not seen it since I bought it on Amazon-- and was NOT disappointed!

Why? I like horror movies. And this is less of an Abbott & Costello movie than a low-budget remake of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with Boris Karloff in the title role.

If you're a Karloff fan like I am, this is a TREASURE: he is at his evil, slimiest best...even glowering at times. Special effects were clearly Universal Studios style, essentially the same effect as used in the Wolfman series. The movie seldom lags but it is made according to the Universal horror formula at the times (less like an A&C film).

View this film NOT as a hilarious Abbott & Costello comedy but a remake of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with an appearance by Abbott and Costello and you'll love it. The comedy team really doesn't do all that much in this movie and most seems derivative from their other horror spoofs. This also has far less comedy overall than those other films but as a REMAKE of this HORROR movie with A&C it is WELL worth the money.

When Costello hilariously, if predictably, gets some of the transformation formula at the end it seems more like a typical A&C movie...and the final scene with the policemen sucking their Costello-monster-bitten fingers, with the final (guess?) finale result is a classic.

As a FILM -- a remake of this story with Boris Karloff at his sleaziest best -- it rates an enthusiastic four stars. If you're absolutely looking for a hilarious A&C movie it would then be three and a half or a bit less. But it is WORTH seeing and owning -- and this lesser known entry will be hard to find...so if you see it's available grab it NOW!

Not so Funny or entertaining.
One of Bud and Lou's weaker film outings has them meeting Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde in this lower budget, somewhat poor directed film with fewer laughs and the not so sinsester performance of Boris Karloff. Not a very good film at all.

Hyde & Seek
While it doesn't measure up to A & C MEET FRANKENSTEIN, this film has its amusing moments, particularly the climax.Bud & Lou's attempt to find Jekyll's formula and stumbling instead into his wine cellar was a nice bit too. Karloff's smoothly sinister Jekyll is a joy to watch; only Vincent Price could have spread the evil treacle so thickly! Overall, the pacing lags in places, but still great fun.

Special effects and shopworn slapstick poorly mixed.
Abbott and Costello may have been one of the all time great comedy teams, but this effort does not do them justice. The whole thing seems lifeless, as they were doing it simply to meet a contractual obligation with Universal Pictures. Director Charles Lamont cannot hide the movie's low budget (shots are recycled so many times that it becomes painful to see), obviously all the money went to the transformation and monster effects. Your time would be better spent with A&C meet Frankenstein. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Rio Rio!!!
Great Classic A&C film. The best Abbott & Costello film i've seen since "Time Of Their Lives." This is funny from beginning to end. Some really hysterical routines in this one. Highly recommend to any old time comedy fans and Abbott & Costello films. Great, Great film!!!

The Bud & Lou I Remember
I'm going to go ahead and give this video five stars because I have a lot of fond memories of watching it, even though I'm not that wild about the musical numbers.
What I do love about this film is the sheer energy and fun of Abbott & Costello's early efforts. Most of the movies I see rerun on the classic film channels are the duo's later films and are pretty flat. In this one, they blow in like the life of the party and race through routines that makes you feel like they're trying to fit in as much as they can.
The slapstick is cartoonishly funny and the verbal bits are fun ("You're not here! You're not in Philadelphia, you're not in Baltimore, so you must be someplace and, if you're someplace else, then you're not here!").
I love this stuff and I'm glad I ordered the tape.
Great for Abbott & Costello fans.

ONE OF ABBOTT & COSTELLO' S BEST FEATURES
The comdey duo is REUINTED with dircetor S. Sylvan Simon, who directed their earlier feature "ABBOTT & COSTELLO IN HOLLYWOOD". This film is a REMAKE of the 1929 film which starred the then popular comedy team Wheeler & Woosley. In this A & C feature the Nazis invade the Western ranch where the team works. Some good songs ACTUALLY help this film's ZANY plot. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

May Be The Best Abbott & Costello Film
I first saw this movie many years ago after seeing countless A&C comedies. I was absolutely amazed by the incredible job that Lou Costello did as a dramatic actor in his role as a vacuum cleaner salesman working for his ruthless and self-serving boss (Bud Abbott). If you like A&C movies you MUST see this one.

ONE OF ABBOTT & COSTELLO'S BEST FILMS
Bud and Lou show that they can do more than just slapstick in this film. They work seperately in this one. Costello is a backwoods farmboy who goes to the big city and becomes a vaccum cleaner salesman.

This classic shows us for the FIRST time that Lou is NOT ONLY gifted comedic actor, but also a VERY DRAMATIC one. It is a shame that his life was cut short before he could develop this characteristic trait. 5 STARS once again to this A & C classic.

shows that the boys could do more than just slapstick
This Abbott & Costello flick shows you that they could do more than just slapstick. Lou Costello shows in this movie that he could tug at your heart strings. He had a natural ability to make you feel sorry for him in the same way that Charlie Chaplin had. It is a shame that his life was cut short before he could develop that characteristic more. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fast Paced
This movie starts out as one of the best Abbott & Costello feature films...it kind of falls flat at the end though. The first 3/4 of the movie is fast paced with some of their funniest routines. The highlights are when they try to fix a leaky faucet & one of their funniest routines ever...also just by itself worth purchasing this film...the Susquehanna Hat Company...fabulous. Everytime I see that routine it cracks me up...a true classic. Overall this is a very good movie...the last 25 minutes could've been better though.

Abbott & Costello take apart the world of High Society
Abbott and Costello come up with one of their best films with the 1944 comedy "In Society." Bud is Eddie Harrington and Lou is Albert Mansfield, a couple of plumbers called in to repair the leak in the bathroom of the wealthy Mr. Van Cleve (Thurston Hall), whose wife (Nella Walker) is hosting a costume ball (already, you know this is going to be a good one). The boys arrive at the Van Cleve mansion in a taxi driven by Elsie Hammerdingle (Marion Hutton), who is mistaken for a costumed guest by playboy Peter Evans (Kirby Grant). Meanwhile, the boys are destroying the upstairs bathroom and flooding the master bedroom. Mrs. Van Cleve writes an angry letter to the plumbers but ends up mailing the boys an invitation to a society weekend at the estate of Mrs. Winthrop (Margaret Irving). Just to complete the fun, Peter has already invited Elise to the same shindig. The second act of "In Society" reminds you a lot of the Marx Brothers' "Animal Crackers," as Drexel (Thomas Gomez), a loan shark, tries to enlist the boys in a plot to steal the valuable painting, "The Plunger" (LOL). This ends up setting up a frantic chance scene at the end, involving a fire truck.

"In Society" joins that long list of comic films in which the madcaps encounter the world of high society and proceed to destroy it, although this one is not as anarchistic as "Animal Crackers." With Abbott & Costello it is always a series of unintentional accidents. The destruction of the bathroom is the best sequence in the film, which also includes the classic burlesque piece "Fleugel Street," where Lou tries to deliver hats to the Pioneer Hat company and everybody he meets beats him up and breaks a hat. The original story for "In Society" was written by Hugh Wedlock, Jr. and Howard Snyder, who used to write gags for Jack Benny. John Grant, Edmund L. Hartmann and Hal Fimberg got screenplay credit for turning the story into more of a workable Abbott & Costello movie. The female romantic interest Marion Hutton, the sister of actress Betty Hutton, had been a singer with the Glenn Miller orchestra and had introduced "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree." Oh, final note: Arthur Treacher, the screen's greatest Butler, plays Pipps the Butler in this film.

lots of creative comedy scenes
Abbott and Costello create another winner as two bumbling plumbers trying to work their way into society bathrooms. This movie has a lot of whacky physical humor balanced by a good story.

There is also a special effects error in this film that most people don't notice. Watch the car chase carefully during the part where a car is hanging from the ladder truck. At one point you will see that car defy the law of gravity.

Fun!
This Movie was very fun.You will laugh and laugh. This has parts like the susquehannah hat company, When the float around a bedroom in a tub and fly down a street in a couch.Just too many long lousy songs

ONE OF ABBOTT & COSTELLO' S BEST FEATURES
Bud and Lou are at it again. In this film the "DYNAMIC DUO" of comedy play two bumbling plumbers who are mistaken for members of society.

The BEST highlights in this film are: (1) BAGEL STREET. A hat salesman friend of the boys asks them the favor of returning a box of strawhats,sent to him by mistake by the manufacturer (one wonders WHY ANY0NE would ENTRUST A & C with such a task). On their way to deliever the hats,the pair run into a bunch of ZANIES. When Lou asks them directions to "BAGEL STREET", the lament to him the poor experiences they had their. However, when Costello mentions the name of the hat factory "SUSQUEHANNA HAT COMPANY" these people go BESERK and nearly destroy the box of strawhats as they take their FRUSTRATIONS out on Lou, who can do nothing but stand there and take the abuse. (2) The climatic chase scene. This scene uses chase footage from W.C. Fields' comedy "NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK". The boys commandeer a hook-and-ladder fire truck, complete with aged fireman who has NEVER driven a firetruck before. UNKNOWN to them the ladder half of the truck is UNLOCKED, and as luck would have it, Costello IS RIDING in the cabin. As Lou climbs out onto the ladder, he begins to howl and whine as the truck goes through a series of ZANY curves and manoevers. (Roger Moore does a POOR imitation of this scene in his last 'JAMES BOND' film "A VIEW TO A KILL" ). But NO ONE does it BETTER than Lou Costello. ... Read more