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By
NICK ZEGARAC
By the time Bud Abbott & Lou
Costello made their way to the big screen they
already had over a decade's worth of radio
success. Voted in 1942 as America's best beloved
movie stars, the team easily breezed through a
series of classic comedies in a career that --
only near the end -- showed signs of their growing
tempestuous relationship. It's widely acknowledged
today that the team did not get along in their
private lives -- a shame since their on camera
shenanigans suggest a friendship that, sadly,
never was.
Universal gives us eight great Abbott & Costello
comedies in "The Best of Abbott & Costello - The
Franchise Collection." "One Night in the Tropics"
(1940) is A&C's first on screen appearance. They
play supporting roles as a couple of front men for
a whacked-out "love insurance" racket involving
then resident heartthrob, Allan Jones. William
Frawley's also in it for kicks as well as the
sadly forgotten Robert Cummings. The film is a
pleasant mix of song, comedy and dance. The
Tarentello production number is among the most
lavish sequences that Universal ever produced for
an A&C film.
On the strength of their debut, Universal rushed
Bud and Lou into "Buck Privates" (1941). The boys
join the army to avoid a prison sentence and wind
up falling in love with the trio of songbirds, The
Andrews Sisters, who would remain a main staple
cameo act in many of the subsequent A&C adventures
that followed.
"Hold That Ghost" (1941) is a hilarious mob
hit/ghost story that cemented Bud and Lou's
popularity at the box office. Despite the
intrusion of several tacked on production numbers
(provided by Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters)
the comedy on this occasion is sterling. After a
big-time thug, Moose Madsen, is killed in the back
of their car Bud and Lou inherit a rundown
speakeasy in which a million dollar inheritance
has been hidden.
"Pardon My Sarong" (1942) has Bud and Lou heading
for the South Seas. It's something of a
disappointment though, with head and fortune
hunters taking over the latter half of the plot. A
drawn out chase sequence ensues with mediocre
comedic results.
"Keep 'Em Flying" (1941) has A&C crash the air
force after they inadvertently become involved is
a spurious circus racket.
"Ride 'Em High" (1942) is a genuine treat, a rodeo
lampoon with plenty of horseplay and high comedy.
Ella Fitzgerald introduces one of her all time
hits, "A Tisket, A Tasket" and several other
production numbers make for a pleasant dude ranch
diversion.
"Who Done It?" (1942) is the other high water mark
of comedic genius in this collection, as Bud and
Lou attempt to solve a radio land murder mystery
by impersonating police detectives.
"In The Navy" (1941) tops off this collection.
It's a sort of "Buck Privates" on the ocean. It's
not as succinct as "Buck Privates," but it does
retain the familiar formula of A&C and The Andrews
Sisters, the latter delivering another bumper crop
of hit swing tunes that are sure to please.
There's plenty to smile over with the transfers.
The films are spread two per side on two
double-sided discs. Certain films in this
collection have benefited from prior restoration
work done when they were reissued nearly a decade
ago on laserdisc. Although each film represents
variations in age-related artifacts (dirt,
scratches, dust, etc.) Universal has taken great
care in digitally remastering these films to DVD.
I have to say that after realizing there were two
movies on each side of each disc I didn't hold out
much hope for quality. I am pleased to say I was
wrong. The picture quality of all the movies in
this set is remarkably solid with an excellent
grayscale and perfectly balanced contrast and
shadow levels. These DVD's are a considerable
improvement over the quality featured on the
previous discs. The audio for all is mono but well
balanced and ideally represented. Extras are,
unfortunately, limited to theatrical trailers and
production notes. Seriously, though, with two
movies per side anything more would start to
sacrifice picture quality. At the bargain basement
price this set is being offered you cannot afford
not to add these films to your home video library.
An absolute must! |
