STUFF YOU GOTTA WATCH - Buck Privates

BUCK PRIVATES

(1941)
With Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lee Bowman, Alan Curtis, The Andrews Sisters, Nat Pendleton
Directed by Artur Lubin
Black and White
Reviewed by JB

The first film specifically tailored for the comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, who had started in burlesque, conquered Broadway (supporting comic Bobby Clark) and had gained national fame on Kate Smith's radio show. As Laurel and Hardy and The Marx Brothers faded away, Abbott and Costello picked up the slack, although their films were more routine affairs, less personal than those of the previous comedy masters. At times the movie is a bore, especially whenever a love triangle subplot rears its head. But when Bud and Lou are performing their perfectly-timed comedy, the film is fresh and funny. The Andrews Sisters provide the music, including the classic "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and the beautiful "Apple Blossom Time". BUCK PRIVATES instantly turned "the Boys" into America's favorite wartime stars, and they would continue to make comedies for Universal for the next two decades. They were so prolific, it is said that Milton Berle once quipped "Things have been so slow in Hollywood lately, Abbott and Costello haven't made a movie all day." Followed in quick succession by IN THE NAVY, HOLD THAT GHOST and KEEP 'EM FLYING. Then on Tuesday, they made... - JB

Sequel

Buck Privates Come Home (1947)