ABBOTT AND COSTELLO IN HOLLYWOOD

(1945)
With Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Frances Rafferty, Bob Haynes, Warner Anderson, Rags Ragland, Mike Mazurki, Carleton G. Young, Donald MacBride
Directed by S. Sylvan Simon
Black and White
Reviewed by JB

    The last of three fA&C films made at MGM, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO IN HOLLYWOOD is essentially a remake of A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, The Marx Brothers' classic made at MGM a decade earlier.  Bud and Lou are barbers who become the managers of a young singer and battle an established star who who feels threated by the up-and-comer.  The ending of the film is almost wholly unsatisfying, with Bud and Lou keeping the jealous star in his place by framing him for murder!

    The Boys do have some wonderful scenes though, including Lou giving a shave to actor Rags Ragland,  and one long, hysterical scene in which Bud attempts to help Lou get some much-needed sleep.  Overall, the comedy and energy is high enough throughout the film to make ABBOTT AND COSTELLO IN HOLLYWOOD one of the most enjoyable films the Boys ever made outside of Universal. 3 - JB

Abbott and Costello     The Age of Comedy