They worked with Shemp Howard and Joe Besser., we should’ve got “Abbot and Costello Meets The Three Stooges.” After all, they met Frankenstein (monster), they met the Invisible Man, and they even met Jerry Seinfeld.
Stinky, the little boy played by forty-year-old Joe besser, was a weird character grafted onto the Abbott and Costello show. Joe besser originally played the character on another variety program, I think it was the Steve Allen Show? Lou thought the character was so funny that he asked Besser play stinky on the Abbott and Costello show, and Stinky would appear at random various episodes of the first, and best, season of the program. Besser had it written into his contract with the Three Stooges that he was not to get slapped while working with them (doubling up the load on Larry Fine! ) but he apparently had no problem giving Lou Costello his trademark arm pinches all the time ("Ooo; I'll give you such a pinch!!"). Also appearing in the first season was a chimp named Bingo, who went around dressed like Lou Costello! Supposedly one day Bingo bit Lou and that was the end of his contract!
@@HatsOffEntertainment You know, given SMBSS Mario and Luigi's voices by Lou Albano and Danny Wells, you'd think Danny's Luigi voice sounds more like Bud Abbott because of the similar cadence. There’s also the matter of the SMBSS episodes themselves feeling like something that Abbott and Castello themselves did back in those old movies. Not to mention the Mario Bros Plumbing segments could be a tribute to the Abbott and Castello Show; including the fact that in the live-action segments, Luigi is the Straight Man and Mario is the Comic Foil. Also, 16:46: makes me think of the Anime Mario Movie, where Luigi was wearing a miner’s backpack while using a Pick Axe and a Shovel.
Lou Costello did an episode of "Wagon Train" shortly before his death. He proved to be a very good dramatic actor. I read that Bud Abbott was the first one to call Lou after the episode aired. May they both rest in peace.
I used to watched their movies when I was 6 years old with my father on TV and snacking on peanuts. When I was little that I didn’t understand the jokes or even slapstick comedies. When I got older that I laughed so hard. My favorite one of them was meeting Frankenstein monster.
About and Costello were a big part of my childhood...when their movies were on my whole family would watch and laugh...Bud was the adult and Lou was the forever young kid...their routines were priceless and brought so much laughter to house over the years.
I would love to know more too. Hats Off does such a great job. I just interviewed Shemp's daughter-in-law who was married to Shemp's only son. She had lots of fond memories and some great information. I'm tracking down other family members that have personal stories and items and will try to put something together for the fans soon.
@@mikeypierce3635 Well, no… he did an episode talking about Shemp’s history in the context of the Three Stooges act (as he also did for Larry, and I believe plans to do for all the members), but that only touches _very_ briefly on his solo career. I’m hoping someday Hats Off will do a video focusing in depth on Shemp’s solo shorts & other work, as he was the only one of the “main four” that had any sort of a career outside of the Stooges, but it rarely gets talked about 😕
Though I haven’t seen a ton of their work, I was shown their “Whose on First” bit in the 9th grade American History which led me to watching Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein. Now that movie is in my Halloween cannon
abbot and costello are possibly my favorite comedians, when i was a child in the boy scouts my troop always did "who's on first" for skit competitions.
That happens to a lot of thing. Lost was everywhere for years now its barely known. Breaking Bad will be forgotten. But yeah I think a "forgotten successes" series would be good, nice to know things that are forgotten
SOAP by Susan Harris! Just about the most laugh out loud funny sit-com ever. 4 glorious seasons, the whole damned planet talking about it. A series that became so influential that Dynasty, a series Soap heavily mocked, even stole the whole 'abducted by aliens' storyline! For years people raved about it and asked 'when is it coming back -even though in the final episode they literally killed off the ENTIRE cast in the perfect 'soap opera over the top' cliffhanger, yet somehow never even repeated in most countries. But now, nobody even seems to remember it, or admit to having ever even heard of it!
@@SteveChiverton Another show that seems to have faded away from pop culture was "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman". Such a strange soap opera spoof. In its time it was probably popular (Carol Burnett's show did a spot on parody of it), and I think it was on most every night, and that takes its toll on cast, writers, and crew.
Wait, people remember Gunsmoke: MeTV channel shows it, and it's always mentioned when people talk about longest running scripted series. It has hardly faded into obscurity, but admittedly it's not something your average young adult would know today (of course).
My personal favorite comedy duo. I was introduced to them with a DVD collection my mom got me as a child. We watched every single film and special that was on there and laughed. I'd like to think their still performing in heaven and mom has a great seat!
I was raised on these guys. Truly classic. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson could never hold a candle to Abbott and Costello, and A&B could be enjoyed by people of any age, not just adults
Different product for a different time. Abbott and Costello are matchless, and dare I say anybody who wants become an actor, especially a comedic one, owes it to themselves to study them as part of the classics - not to mention Laurel and Hardy, and the Marx Brothers.
In addition to their hilarious physical comedy prowess, I have always loved and laughed at their rapid fire jokes and puns. No other comedy team had their ability in this area.
One of the best Bud Abbott lines comes from "Hold That Ghost;" when the group is boarding the car that will take them all to the inherited hotel, Lou bumps his head on the roof of the car, Bud quickly remarks, "Go ahead, ruin the man's car!" Cracks me up every single time. Lou's most standout line and even complete performance that I'd argue was nearly Oscar nominee caliber was his performance in "Little Giant." When Lou (playing "Benny Miller") is returning home to Cucamonga (which is a real city in CA, and only about a half hour drive from where I live,) a bird, that "Benny" was bringing home to his mother, escapes and the heartbreak of losing the bird, especially after all the drama that Benny has had to deal with up to that moment, Lou Costello breaks your heart with his portrayal of that moment.
Abbot and Costello are two of the best comedy duos of all time. I remember watching their movies when I was a kid as well as some of their episodes from The Colgate Comedy Hour. They were hilarious and are defiantly legends. Thank you for the video!
I remember talking movies with some older folks when one of them mentioned to me to watch Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein. Still one of the best movie suggestions I've ever received to this day.
I was wondering when you would make an Abbott and Costello video and I'm so happy you did! These guys were a class act and have always been one of my top references for great comedy and timing. 😁🃏
Very true, but culture has changed and unfortunately no one is interested anymore in recreating this type of humor. We have reached cultural oblivion and there's no turning back.😢
@Jacob Jinglehymer don't say that. the fact we still have 3 stooges conventions and things like TCM proves there's an audience Hollywood just dosen't have the balls anymore
15:45 I remember, as a kid, waching the TV show in the late 70's and hating Mr. Fields. After purchasing the complete Universal DVD's a few years ago and rewatching him in Mexican Hayride I have a new found appreciation for Sid Fields. His delivery as the reporter was perfect. I DVR'd all the tv episodes after that and realized what a genius he truly was.
This is such an informative and well put together retrospective about their careers. It's easy to forget just how brilliant they were. I must've watched "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" about 100x as a kid. You can see and feel their influence on comedy right up to today. 🎬😆⏳
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are timeless. One of the greatest comedy teams of all time. By the way just for the record "Hold That Ghost" was actually made after "In The Navy" not "Buck Privates" and Shemp Howard appeared in "Buck Privates" then "In The Navy" and later on in "It Ain't Hay" then finally with Abbott and Costello in "Africa Screams" Universal decided not to renew their contract after "Meet the Mummy" and they went on to make "Dance with me Henry" their last film together.
As a kid in the late '70s my dad went to the local library and borrowed a projector and a stack of old silent movies to show us kids. Keaton, Chaplin, Lloyd, Laurel and Hardy, a lot of old Our Gang stuff that was never in the syndicated TV run. But the ones he personally wanted to watch were a bunch of Abbott and Costello movies. The old silent stars were a bit before his time but he grew up with Abbott and Costello and I have great memories of watching the movies you refer to with my brothers and my dad and laughing out butts off together. Nice tribute as always!
I still yell “Hey Abbotttt” when I want to annoy my mom. Though I was always more of a Laurel & Hardy fan than Abbott & Costello, but I loved them all the same. Their horror crossovers are some of the funniest movies ever made. Edit: I completely forgot about Captain Kidd starring Charles Laughton, another legendary actor.
The only place you can find a real comedy team like this nowadays is in Japan with their monzai teams. One of the reasons I’m trying to learn the language.
You forgot another great double act: George Burns and Gracie Allen. Started before A&C in Vaudville and lasted until 1955. They also were huge in movies, radio and television.
To this day, one of my all time favorite movies will always be Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein! I will always Love Bud and Lou! I grew up with the repeats on Sunday Morning as well as Ma and Pa Kettle, Lou was the first guy that taught me self deprecation and it worked for years as an Actor! Thank you for this video.. I studied their history for years and always use that when I make a film..
Thank you for bringing these two legends into the forefront! I feel that Abbott and Costello dont get the appreciation they very well deserve. With this and youtube, I hope more generations discover this treasure of comedy brilliance.
I only knew of Abbot and Costello from the few movies or tv shows that would refrence them wether in name or in one of their bits, but seeing how unique and interesting their films were and especially how interesting their tv show looks I'm more compelled to view their work after this video than before, this channels love and care really shows in the fact I wanna go out and buy these movies for a viewing and not just stream them or find a free version. I have a list of movies to check out that I'm only adding names too cause of this channel, and I love it.
He DID act in front of the camera at least once: in a dramatic role (opposite Lee Marvin). And in fact, he was GOOD, but according to a guest on Gilbert Gottfried's podcast, the IRS seized his entire check from the performance, which ultimately swore him off of acting permanently.
Thank you so much for this as well as your other work featuring the duo. I first became aware of the pair watching them meet the monsters on late night TV in the 80’s. The Universal Monsters were a childhood obsession of mine and Meet Frankenstein is a masterpiece. I then began collecting VHS tapes of their other films and have been a huge fan ever since. It’s so much fun watching your loving treatment of all the classic comedians you feature. Yup yup!
My mom introduced me and my sister to Abbott and Costello in the 90s because our local library had a bunch of the old movies on VHS tapes, and I've been hooked since. Who's on first is the classic, but I find it funniest when it's Lou getting the jump over Bud for a change such as 13x7 In the Navy or the craps game in Buck Privates. Or in Keep 'em Flying the diner scene with Martha Raye as the "twin" waitresses
Once again, a great tribute to one of the great comedy teams…My idea of Heaven is to spend eternity with Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges, and the Marx Brothers. This tribute tops them all! ( I’m still waiting for a DVD release of your version of Atoll K ). Finally someone who actually understands the great comedians of the Golden Age of Comedy. You wouldn’t have the comedians of today if it weren’t for them…those comedy teams perfected their craft…that is why we still enjoy them today…I know I have a few years on you, but I remember Abbott and Costello movies shown every Sunday morning on channel 11 here in NY in the late 60s into the 80s . You keep the spirit of the old time comics alive…And I thank you!!!
Many of their films were on Turner Classic Films for a Saturday/Sunday marathon in August 2021. Hopefully the network will be able to show again in 2022. Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein is a staple on Me-Tv's Svengoolie during Halloween weekend.
Costello said before that funny guys are a dime a dozen but a good straight man is rare when talking about Abbott. They were good comedians on their own but it really was their interactions that made them incredible. Their dialogue and timing was just perfection, and the famous Who's on First sketch holds up to this day. Many know the joke, but not as many have seen them perform it, which is a shame because while the joke is good, it's the execution that makes it an utter classic.
.My dad has been waiting for this one. By the way .....we love your channel. This was the stuff my dad introduced to me when I was a little boy .......well, this and monsters were all we watched hahahaha! So, this channel is like heavy nostalgia for us both, and we definitely thank you for it.
My grandmother was raised by Bud and Betty Abbott. Worked in burlesque and vaudeville with them and partnered with Abbott for a time, where Bud wrote the bits and played Costello’s parts.
Thanks for this loving tribute. These two gents were hilarious. In their television sitcom I prefer the first season. In particular: Episode 20, Hillary's Birthday, contains a fabulous sequence involving landlord Mr. Fields beating on poor Lou during a party every time Bud eggs him on to turn the radio back on. It's a total riot. By the way, Sid Fields was always solid in this series, and deserves a lot of credit for his acting and writing. I believe that Seinfeld scribe Larry Charles named the cranky old man in "The Old Man" episode Sid Fields after him. And Jerry Seinfeld has said that his show was intentionally peppered with mean characters (usually only appearing one or a few times over a season) because that's how it was on Lou and Bud's TV show-- there was so often a cantankerous neighbor or shop clerk there to antagonize, insult or berate Lou.
Abbott and Costello may be the best comedy team ever. I know many others were extremely funny as well. But for me the chemistry between these two was perfect. Bud Abbott was the perfect straight man for Lou's over the top character. They pulled it off so effortlessly looking. I am sure a lot of work went into the routines but they also improvised very well too. When my son was about 9 years old we did the "Who's On First" routine a few times for entertainment during intermission of local stage shows. At that age he was already way better than me. It was obvious I needed to stay off the stage but he might actually have a future on stage. But I learned just how hard it is to actually be funny while doing this. Memorizing the lines, as confusing as it was, was the easy part. I never knew that Lou used the high voice so radio audiences could easily tell who was speaking and it stuck. I thought it was his natural voice.
10/10. My favorite hats off video yet, my second favorite duo. Now if we were so lucky for a Martin and Lewis video and a extended Jerry Lewis video. ❤❤ Keep up the awesome work!! Thank you!!!
They used to play most of their movies on Saturday mornings, when I was growing up, along with The Bowery Boys, and Tarzan. My father, who had seen them in the theaters when he was growing up, would sometimes join us, but only if Bud didn't have his mustache, yet. lol
I almost never watch the things you recommend, but I for sure do have more appreciation for them after watching your videos. Thanks for the content sir.
i saw every one of these in the seventies and i yearned for the plot as well when the Andrew Sisters were singing. i asked my dad, "why are they so horrible and why are they in so many movies? my dad who watched the movies and TV show in the 40s and 50s told me he had no idea either other than that they were supposed to be eye candy for the troops over seas.
And why have jokes and skits like these been so fondly remembered far beyond their time? Because you can't go wrong with clean humble fun. If only it wasn't a lost art, the world might not be so cynical today.
As always great video! I love this duo. Now I am very interested in checking out that Lon Chaney Jr and Shemp Howard movie! Wow! Never thought I could see those two together!
13:30 Jack In the Beanstalk was one of my favorites. My favorite scene is when Costello has to make breakfast for the Giant I asked him how many eggs, to which the giant replies 22 and then all the eggs are exploding because the chickens ate gunpowder because of course that's how it works. 😉 😆
I grew up with The Abbott and Costello TV show. The humor was so wacky that to this day I love watching it. Hillary Brooke and Sidney fields were wonderful as well and of course, Gordon Jones as Mike The Cop.
@jaylewis8789 And also Joe Kirk, as Mr. Bacciagalupe, (among others) in those memorable skits. And the really cool thing was Joe Kirk was Lou's brother-in-law.
This is quite wonderful. Abbott and Costello were the funniest duo in comedy. I hope you might consider doing a docu on Joe Besser. Or perhaps one on "nance" comics.
I can't imagine this team being successful without Bud Abbott's straight man abilities to bring Lou Costello back on the train track, especially during the much ad-libbed and hilarious Colgate Comedy Hour.
Also, I still can't believe that no ones ever done an actual Biopic of them. The Stand and Ollie movie from 2 years ago was really good, but no ones ever put the time into telling the story of LITERALLY One of the BEST Comedy Teams of All Time!!