The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 1 (Buck Privates / Hold That Ghost / In the Navy / Keep 'Em Flying / One Night in the Tropics / Pardon My Sarong / Ride 'Em Cowboy / Who Done It?)
by A. Edward Sutherland, Arthur Lubin, Charles Barton, Edward Bernds, Erle C. Kenton
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Actor: Bud Abbott, Larry Fine, Lee Bowman, Lou Costello, Moe HowardDirector: A. Edward Sutherland, Arthur Lubin, Charles Barton, Edward Bernds, Erle C. Kenton
Brand: MCA
Writer: Arthur T. Horman
Writer: Bradford Ropes
Writer: Charles Grayson
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 661 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-02-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 1 (Buck Privates / Hold That Ghost / In the Navy / Keep 'Em Flying / One Night in the Tropics / Pardon My Sarong / Ride 'Em Cowboy / Who Done It?)
DVD Review: Shows Why They Were So Successful
Summary: 4 Stars
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were the most successful comedy team of the 1940's and these films show "why". Their humour was fresh then and still is now. Lou Costello was tremendously gifted as a comedian. Be it one liners, comebacks, physical comedy or just expressions, it didn't matter; he could do it all. He could draw laughs and sympathy in the same instant. Their pairing was a lucky stroke of fate for both men. Bud filled in one night when Lou's partner was sick and the rest was history. Abbott was one of the best straight men in the history of comedy. He was the perfect foil for Lou. Costello did a lot of ad libbing. Bud knew when to let him run and when to rein him in. It was a fact that Lou always appreciated-the money was split sixty/forty in Bud's favour, and at Lou's insistance.
This set is a tremendous value. The transfers to DVD are good. Picture quality is sharp and crisp. With the odd exception the sound quality is clean and noiseless. These films show the pair in their earliest films and at their peak. And they're fun. Even when they're not funny-there are some lame moments-they feel good. Bud and Lou worked hard at that. They always believed humour should clean and not mean spirited. More often than not they succeeded. In the end that may be their most enduring legacy. Don't form the wrong impression though. They were very, very funny. Lou's expressions with the Limburger cheese from "Who Done It?" are priceless. Their first scene in "One night in the Tropics" is pure hilarity. (It was also their first screen appearance as a team.) The revolving rooms sequence in "Hold that Ghost" and the way they play it is brilliant. The list goes on ...
One Night in the Tropics ***
This would have been a decent musical romantic comedy even without Bud and Lou. The plot is whimsical enough to appeal to the heart and has more than enough twists and pratfalls to guarantee a few laughs. Allan Jones was a passable comic actor and a great singer. The songs, written for the film by Jerome Kern and several lyricists, are excellent. Bob Cummings gets off to a weak start but grows into his role as his material improves. Peggy Moran and Nancy Kelly are solid as the love interests of the two leads. Whether they sang the songs assigned to their roles I don't know. That singing is strong but nowhere near the standard set by Allan Jones. The ending is a delightful schmozzle. Bud and Lou made the film stronger. Their first five minutes on screen almost makes you forget everyone else. From then on some of their bits run away with things. Watching Bud shrinking Lou's salary is too funny. There's their immortal (and often, but never too often repeated) routine, "Who's on First?" ...tears ...no wonder this film launched their screen career!
Buck Privates ****
Patty Andrews could belt out a tune with the best of them! The Andrews Sisters perform Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Bud and Lou reinvent craps and the Army will never be the same. What more could you ask? The only complaint is there's too much of the Patriotic jingo common in 1940 America while the U.S. Government was (quietly) trying to sell the public a war they didn't want. Still, the film more than makes up for it by making points about loyalty and the need for people to look out for each other. This is one of the team's best.
In the Navy ***
This film features strong production numbers. Dick Powell and the Andrews Sisters are both in fine form. Some of the old routines show up (Lou's money being counted away) but they're given a new look and remain fresh. The sequence with Lou putting the ship through its paces is outrageous.
Hold that Ghost ****
There would have been no justice if "Scream Queen" Evelyn Ankers hadn't had a moment in the sun with Bud and Lou. She was one of the most radiant stars from Universal's horror films of the 1940's, a lady who is still always a pleasure to watch. She gets her moments here. Joan Davis worked well with the pair. Her timing, actually the timing between them when she and Abbott spar verbally is an example most comics could take a page from. They never lose their sense of spontaneity. Her scene with Lou and the moving candles is a gem.
Keep 'Em Flying ***
The action scenes show their age badly. Still, they have charm, if you don't pay really close attention to the camera work. Martha Raye makes an excellent foil for Bud and Lou. Then there's Lou's scene with the Gorilla ...classic!
Ride 'Em Cowboy ***
The ending is extremely disjointed. The swimming pool scene is great. Look for some great music from a fairly young Ella Fitzgerald.
Pardon My Sarong **
An extremely disjointed plot makes this one of the weaker entries. Still, there's plenty of fun and a lot of great talent on board. Musically, the Ink Spots are as good as it gets. "Big Stinkah" is priceless.
Who Done It ****
This would be a "must see" for the "Limburger cheese moments" alone. The scene is hysterical. The fun doesn't end there though.The film has a decent (if slightly predictable) plot and good supporting characters. The interaction between the boys and the two cops is hilarious. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, could "find" a body like Lou. Watch for some brilliant interaction between him and Mary Wickes. She seems to have had as much fun doing this as anyone could have. Louise Allbritton and Patric Knowles keep the plot moving while the boys keep you smiling.
More The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 1 (Buck Privates / Hold That Ghost / In the Navy / Keep 'Em Flying / One Night in the Tropics / Pardon My Sarong / Ride 'Em Cowboy / Who Done It?) reviews:
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 1 (Buck Privates / Hold That Ghost / In the Navy / Keep 'Em Flying / One Night in the Tropics / Pardon My Sarong / Ride 'Em Cowboy / Who Done It?)
Get ready for big laughs with Abbott and Costello, undeniably the most popular comedy team of all time! Now, the classic films of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are available on DVD in this hilarious collection.The wildly popular comic duo has entertained audiences since 1931, conquering vaudeville, radio and the silver screen in nearly 40 films. Enjoy these side-splitting hits like Buck Privates and Hold That Ghost in this collection of eight full-length features. The Best of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello: Volume 1 will have you laughing out loud again and again!
One Night in the Tropics (1940)
Bud and Lou get mixed up in a "Love Insurance" scheme.
Buck Privates (1941)
The duo accidentally enlists in the U.S. Army to avoid getting arrested!
In the Navy (1941)
Bud and Lou are sailors bound for duty on the high seas in this musical comedy.
Hold that Ghost (1941)
The boys inherit a haunted house formerly owned by a mobster.
Keep ?Em Flying (1941)
Bud and Lou enlist in the Army Air Corps and get caught up in a love triangle.
Ride ?Em Cowboy (1942)
The duo head to the Lazy S ranch to hide after Lou accidentally proposes to an Indian girl.
Pardon My Sarong (1942)
Bud and Lou travel to the South Seas where Lou is mistaken for a legendary god!
Who Done It? (1942)
The boys are suspected of murder while being targeted by the actual killer.
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