Abbott et Costello à Hollywood

It so often seems that iconic Hollywood comedians of years' past continue to shine more brightly than their spiritual successors; it's hardly that their modern brethren can't be funny, but the likes of Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Laurel and Hardy filled their pictures with heart as much as laughs. As Bud Abbott and Lou Costelllo entered the scene in the 40s they added certain smart aleck sensibilities and specific routines to the general gags, physical comedy, situational humor, witty repartee, and paired dynamics that characterized the works of their contemporaries and predecessors. The result, as seen in this 1945 movie, is just as fabulously fun as we could ever hope of any such fare, and without the mean streak, off-color jokes, or punching down that would increasingly dominate comedy in years to come. It may not sound like much from the outside looking in, but 'Abbott and Costello in Hollywood' is fantastic, and well worth checking out!

True, this is perhaps a tad uneven insofar as the film careens from energetic hijinks to softer scenes of repose, and musical numbers; there are also some inclusions that go too over the top for their own good. The disparity is infrequent, however, and by far the length is filled with one tremendously entertaining bit after another. At its best the feature is flush with terrific stunts and effects, and while the leading duo definitely carry most of the humor all by themselves, the cast at large unreservedly embrace the zesty spirit of the production. The narrative may mostly serve as a vehicle for the shenanigans, but still Nat Perrin and Lou Breslow are to be commended for whipping up a delightful scenario that lets the cast and crew have a blast from one moment to the next. The sets are splendid in and of themselves, and in addition to fine costume design, hair, and makeup, and sharp editing and cinematography, one would be remiss not to mention the outstanding choreography that we're treated to in the climactic sequence. The scene writing is even more important as it fuels the silliness, and even just by that measure this is super.

All the way through to the end I think this would have benefited from a smidgen more consistency. If that's the worst I have to say a title, though, then it's surely done pretty well for itself. I don't think I'd go so far as to say this is a must-see, yet even if imperfect it's a good time all around. I can understand how some viewers may have a harder time engaging with older cinema, and I'd have said the same myself at one time, but much more than not this flick bears such vibrancy that I think it should skirt around such concerns. There's no disputing the honored place that Abbott and Costello have in cultural history, and while it may not be the utmost exemplar of their style, 'In Hollywood' squarely illustrates why. Don't necessarily go out of your way for it, but if you do have the chance to watch then this is great!

I accept that this isn't the best A&C movie ever made but you cannot blame the stars.

The script was poor and some of the co-stars either didn't want to be there or just weren't up to the skills of ability that A&C achieved.

There are some classic one on one scenes between Abbott & Costello with the best being the barber scene that will have you in stitches if you like burlesque style of humor.

I for one am a fan however if you are a first time viewer of the famous duo I would recommend a movie released in the same year "The Naughty Nineties" or my personal favourite of "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion" This is still a must see for A&C fans however if you watch this without prior knowledge you will be disappointed and you may not appreciate just how hard A&C work to make this a half decent movie.

Thanks for the memories boys.

Returning to the MGM lot in the Spring of 1945, Abbott and Costello make what would be their last, and funniest, film at the Tiffany of studios. Declining revenues during the war took its toll at MGM, and the loan-out deal with Universal was not renewed. Bud and Lou probably didn't mind, as there was a downturn in script quality at MGM -- not to mention a downturn in their salaries!!!

"In Hollywood" isn't as poor as their first two MGM films, however. "Rio Rita" and "Lost In A Harem" suffered from poor pacing; here, the pacing is fine. And it's fun to see Lou get into trouble on the MGM lot(in the film, the studio is Mammoth.) Incidentally, MGM lifted the idea of Lou's cavorting on the set from Buster Keaton's 1930 MGM film "Free and Easy." Another fun scene is on the midway set; it's ludicrous to believe that Costello is staying balanced on one wheel on the roller coaster, but, hey, that's what makes the scene funny and enjoyable to watch. The best scene in the film is the "insomnia" sketch, where Costello finds it impossible to sleep through the record that's supposed to put him to sleep (people raised only on CDs can't relate to this!)

All in all, "In Hollywood" is a few notches above A&C's other MGM films. Video collectors take note: although "The Noose Hangs High" and "Dance With Me, Henry" were released on video by MGM/UA, they were actually independent productions. "In Hollywood" was their last MGM film, and a decent one at that. 7 out of 10.

This is one of the three pictures Abbott and Costello made for MGM-- who proved with Buster Keaton, the Marx Brothers films after "A Day At the Races and Laurel and Hardy's late releases," that they really don't have much of a "touch" for this kind of comedy. Abbott and Costello fared much better at Universal with films such as "Hold That Ghost," "Buck Privates," "Who Done It?" "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein," "The Time of Their Lives," etc. That's not to say that the film is terrible, it just suffers from sloppy pacing, almost no story, and somewhat weaker material for A&C (which was much sharper in the Universal films).

It definitely has its funny points, but it doesn't hold together very well as a complete film. Best to stick to the Universal's--- especially if you are a first time viewer of Abbott and Costello.

I don't know why this AC movie is so underrated though includes a lot of funny routines and scenes, watch the "drop dummy" one, will surely laugh a lot.