Abbott & Costello

[applecorped]

Bud Abbott was born in Asbury Park, NJ, October 2, 1895 and died April 24, 1974 in Woodland Hills, California. Lou Costello was born in Paterson, NJ, March 6, 1906 and died March 3, 1959 in Sherman Oaks, California.


All of a sudden I thought about watching these two in reruns in the 1970's. I watched their T.V. show and all their movies. Being a proud native of N.J. I am grateful for their contributions.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Hey Aaaaaaaaaabot!

 

[imjohn]

[qimg]http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/imagehosting/thum_239154882848cf1f70.gif[/qimg]

Bud Abbott was born in Asbury Park, NJ, October 2, 1895 and died April 24, 1974 in Woodland Hills, California. Lou Costello was born in Paterson, NJ, March 6, 1906 and died March 3, 1959 in Sherman Oaks, California.


All of a sudden I thought about watching these two in reruns in the 1970's. I watched their T.V. show and all their movies. Being a proud native of N.J. I am grateful for their contributions.

Some of their routines were very good. Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein was the death rattle of the Universal Horror Films, but is very funny.

 

[CptColumbo]

The Classic:

I was giving an interview to a local newspaper reporter once. Since I was performing in a comedy (The Philadelphia Story), he asked what kind of comedy I liked to do. I told him how I like playing the "Straight man." He thought I meant "Straight" as opposed to Homosexual. I then had to explain to him what a "Straight Man" is and used "Who's on First" as an example. He was very young and I hoped that this wasn't a sign that the classic comedy team concept was lost.

 

[lionking]

I must say that I'm surprised that Lou died in 1959 at such a young age. Their comedy truly is timeless.

 

[Mojo]

The Classic:

Why?

 

[CptColumbo]

I must say that I'm surprised that Lou died in 1959 at such a young age. Their comedy truly is timeless.

IIRC his son also died in a drowning accident when he was very young.

 

[staunch]

Who's on First? by Abbott and Costello
One of the most famous baseball comedy acts to ever take place was the following humorous exchange between Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. The words alone cannot do it justice, but it is still quite funny to read.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/humor4.shtml

 

[Foolmewunz]

Why?

No, Why's the backup catcher!


(In short... it's comedy.... you either like it or you don't. "Classic" because millions of people do like it.)

 

[CptColumbo]

Why?

"I don't know, he's on third, and I don't give a darn!"

No, Why's the backup catcher!


(In short... it's comedy.... you either like it or you don't. "Classic" because millions of people do like it.)

"Why" is in the outfield (it changes sometimes from right to left to center), with "Because."

 

[Mojo]

"I don't know, he's on third, and I don't give a darn!"

"He's our shortstop."

 

[CptColumbo]

(In short... it's comedy.... you either like it or you don't. "Classic" because millions of people do like it.)

Also, even those who don't like it are aware of it.

 

[Foolmewunz]

"I don't know, he's on third, and I don't give a darn!"

"Why" is in the outfield (it changes sometimes from right to left to center), with "Because."

I wasn't sure if the "whole" routine was the one that included Why and Tomorrow and I Don't Give a Darn. The Baseball Almanac script says that it does... they did shorter versions for TV guest stints, I guess.


ETA: Dang! The BA gives players' zodiac signs! Yeccch!

 

[CptColumbo]

I wasn't sure if the "whole" routine was the one that included Why and Tomorrow and I Don't Give a Darn. The Baseball Almanac script says that it does... they did shorter versions for TV guest stints, I guess.


ETA: Dang! The BA gives players' zodiac signs! Yeccch!

From what I understand the sketch changed regularly running from 1:40 to 5:00 minutes in length. Sometimes the payroll would be dropped "sometimes his wife picks up his check." "Whose wife?" "Yes." and/or there would be less repetition of the middle.

The lineup:
First Base: Who
Second Base: What
Third base: I Don't Know
Outfield: Why
Because
Pitcher: Tomorrow
Catcher: Today
Shortstop: I Don't Give A Darn (usually, if not it's "I Don't Care" or "I Don't Give A Damn")

The third Outfielder is sometimes called "Nobody" in other media, but is never named in the sketch itself.

 

[Highly Selassie]

Also, even those who don't like it are aware of it.

Also, it's been adapted and reintroduced to new generations. I remember an episode of Tiny Toon Adventures from the early '90s that used the "Who's on first" routine in the context of a concert festival.

 

[rdaneel]

Also, it's been adapted and reintroduced to new generations. I remember an episode of Tiny Toon Adventures from the early '90s that used the "Who's on first" routine in the context of a concert festival.

And for those who would like something a little more highbrow....
(The video gets messed up at the end, but the audio is fine)

 

[Highly Selassie]

Ahh... childhood memories. Thanks for posting that

 

[applecorped]

Lou Costello's last film:

 

[the_smasher]

I have a video tape called "The Best of Abbott & Costello Live" that is a collection of skits from their tv show. Although the picture and sound quality isn't always that great, I highly recommend it.

 

[Corsair 115]

Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein was the death rattle of the Universal Horror Films, but is very funny.

I absolutely loved that movie when I was a kid. Liked most of their other films too back then. I haven't seen their movies since though...