The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 2 (Hit the Ice / In Society / Here Come the Co-Eds / The Naughty Nineties / Little Giant / The Time of Their Lives / Buck Privates Come Home / The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap)
by Charles Barton, Charles Lamont, Daniel Helfgott, Erle C. Kenton, Jean Yarbrough
List Price:
Our Price: $16.45
You Save: $13.53 (45%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $13.95 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Binnie Barnes, Bud Abbott, John Shelton, Lou Costello, Marjorie ReynoldsDirector: Charles Barton, Charles Lamont, Daniel Helfgott, Erle C. Kenton, Jean Yarbrough
Brand: Universal Studios
Writer: Allen Boretz
Writer: Arthur T. Horman
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 654 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-05-04
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 2 (Hit the Ice / In Society / Here Come the Co-Eds / The Naughty Nineties / Little Giant / The Time of Their Lives / Buck Privates Come Home / The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap)
DVD Review: As good as the first set, maybe even better.
Summary: 4 Stars
Some of the situations the Hollywood movie machine contrived as vehicles for their stars show their age, often badly. Many of the "chase" sequences" don't hold up at all. The runaway sailboat sequence in "Here Come the Co-eds" is an example of this. It has its moments. The close up shots of the live actors and the background footage they're superimposed on don't match each other. Details, things like wind moving fabric around, are missing. Often, the "halos" that were left around people when their images were superimposed over stock footage are still present. (It's still not always that easy to get rid of those perfectly even when with a still photograph. Ask someone who's done it.) The problems lie with the special effects. These were the state of the art in their time but are weak by current standards. This list goes on. Archival and stock footage (which was used a lot) is often grainy. Sometimes the resolution of pieces of film being matched is completely different. And so on ... Don't worry too much about all of this. Bud and Lou's comedy has too much too offer to let small technical issues stand in the way of enjoying what they did. The routines they inserted into their films are as fresh today as they were sixty years ago. The timing they had was impeccable; a lot of today's performers could learn from it. Some of the best performances of their routines captured on film are contained in this set. Every one shows how good their timing was. Watch and enjoy.
Hit the Ice ****
When Lou Costello walks into the door that bud Abbott just went through it's funny. When most duos do this it's not as funny, if it's even funny at all. That's timing. You turn on any of these movies knowing this is going to happen a lot. You expect it. You may even know it's coming. But, try to spot it coming. You can't. Their timing was that good. This film has a lot of hilarious sight gags. Lou walks into an inordinate amount of doors and walls. Watch Ginny Simms almost lose it when Lou realizes she's the one handing him his food. It was probably the closest thing to a take with her holding a straight face they could get. And the film contains a great version of "pack the grip".
In Society ***
Bud and Lou as plumbers: what trouble can they get into here? Watch and find out, but don't drink anything while the scene plays. It'll be coming up your nose when you break out laughing.
Here Come the Co-Eds ***
This one is a bit uneven. The comedy portions are excellent. Look for what's probably the best rendition of "Jonah and the Whale" on film. The basketball game is hilarious. What hurts the film are some it's musical segments. Evelyn Silverstone's (Evelyn and her Magic Violin) solo spot is fine-she was an excellent violinist-but Phil Spitalny and his All-Girl Orchestra perform material that's beyond dreadful.
The Naughty Nineties ****
"Who's on First" ...complete! The set was supposed to be silent for this. The cameramen couldn't do it. Listen for them laughing. The "mirror routine" is hilarious. And the chase at the end is zany and side splitting. One of their very best. This one is reviewed separately. It's that good.
Little Giant ****
Bud is splendid as the film's villain. He makes himself very easy to dislike. This film is more heart warming than hilarious though. That's not to say it isn't funny. Some parts are very funny. The sudden explosion of sales Lou has and his colleagues reaction to it is hilarious. He still surprises viewers constantly with the klutziness he gave to all his characters. And he proves himself as a dramatic actor. His character is one of life's victims and he's one who doesn't deserve to be. When his heart breaks the viewers' hearts break as well.
The Time of Their Lives ****
Bud has dual roles again, this time as both the hero and villain of the piece. He's brilliant in both roles. It's a good example of why Lou felt he was worth 60% of the money the team earned. He really was that good. As for Lou, well who else could be convincing as a ghost who can't figure out how to pass through walls? This film is another good example of why this pair is still finding new generations of fans.
Buck Privates Come Home ****
This film is all heart. The boys try to help a war orphan (not an unrealistic problem) but can't succeed on their own. Look for some touching scenes between Lou and the little girl and count on some fun while the film pokes fun at excessive authority. And enjoy some of the routines. Setting a table will never be the same again.
The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap ***
This one features Marjorie Main of Ma and Pa kettle fame. She was a good comedienne and a good match to play opposite Bud and Lou. The funniest scenes in the movie are where she tries convincing (coercing) Lou into marrying her. His responses to everything she does are classic. Unfortunately some of the scenes where Lou gets to throw his weight around seem forced. Who's at fault there is hard to say but it looks like a decision made by the studio.
More The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 2 (Hit the Ice / In Society / Here Come the Co-Eds / The Naughty Nineties / Little Giant / The Time of Their Lives / Buck Privates Come Home / The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap) reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 2 (Hit the Ice / In Society / Here Come the Co-Eds / The Naughty Nineties / Little Giant / The Time of Their Lives / Buck Privates Come Home / The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap)
BEST OF BUD ABBOTT AND LOU COSTELLO 2 - DVD MovieBestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Abbott & Costello in Hollywood / Lost in a HaremWarner Brothers; Release date: 2006-11-21; DVD
Best price: $5.50
Price in other shops:
![Abbott & Costello Meet Captain Kidd [Remaster] Image](/images/Abbott-Costello-Meet-Captain-Kidd-Remaster-B004VRWTXE-X.jpg)
Abbott & Costello Meet Captain Kidd [Remaster]RKO; Release date: 2011-06-27; DVD
Best price: $14.72
Price in other shops:
It Ain't Hay (Universal Vault Series)Release date: 2011-01-31; DVD
Best price: $14.98
Africa Screams / Jack and the BeanstalkEcho; Release date: 2004-01-01; DVD
Best price: $0.83
Price in other shops:
The Abbott and Costello Show: Who's On First?Koch International; Release date: 2011-02-01; DVD
Best price: $5.03
Price in other shops:
Abbott & Costello Meet FrankensteinUniversal Studios; Release date: 2000-08-29; DVD
Best price: $11.40
Price in other shops:
Abbott and Costello: Funniest Routines, Vol. 1LEG; Release date: 2007-11-06; DVD
Best price: $3.70
Price in other shops:
The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 4 (Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde / Abbott & Costello Meet the Keystone Cops / Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy / Abbott & Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld / Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters / The World of Abbott & Costello)Universal Studios; Release date: 2005-10-04; DVD
Best price: $18.33
Price in other shops:
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?)MCA; Release date: 2004-02-10; DVD
Best price: $16.44
Price in other shops:
The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 3 (Abbott & Costello Go to Mars / Abbott & Costello in the Foreign Legion / Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein / Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man / Abbott & Costello Meet the Killer / Comin' Round the Mountain / Lost in Alaska / Mexican Hayride)MCA; Release date: 2004-08-03; DVD
Best price: $16.45
Price in other shops: