Abbott & Costello

Abbot and Costello are probably one of the best comedy double-acts to have ever graced Stage, Radio, Screen and Television. Over their twenty-year partnership, starting in 1936, on the American burlesque stage circuit, later moving to radio where there famous sketches were first heard by first by national then international audiences. After taking their stage show to Broadway they were signed to Universal pictures in 1940 where they collaborated on thirty-six films over the next sixteen years. They also appeared on television in 1951 hosting the Colgate Comedy Hour before getting their own show with CBS in 1952 that ran for only two seasons. ...

Abbott and Costello were the American equivalent of Laurel and Hardy. Their act from the 1930'-50's was pure slapstick comedy. They relied on their actions and sets for laughs and not on clever dialogue. It takes real talent to do this although this kind of comedy is not often shown on TV now. Bud Abbott is the tall thin one who always plays the serious 'straight man' part and dumpy, little Lou Costello gets into all sorts of fixes that his partner then has to sort out. Clever comedy that requires a special talent and can be enjoyed by all age groups from tiny children upwards but, sadly, not so popular today. ...

Every one has heard of Laurel and Hardy, haven't they? Has anyone heard of the American version called Abbott & Costello? Well they were absolutely brilliant in the 1930-50's, and made some hillarious black and white movi comedies. Bud Abbott was tall and thin with a serious manner but the funny one was the dumpy guy called Lou Costello. He made the humour and Bud tried to calm him down. If anything went wrong it always happened to Lou. One film I remember most was 'Abbott & Costello and the Curse of the Mummy.' One scene was a perfect example of their comedian status. They entered into this old building and found a coffin on a ...