Abbott and Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection – 15-DVD set
The good news is that is a compilation of all of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello‘s movies made at Universal Pictures, including the newly-released It Ain’t Hay, available for the first time on DVD. Also, unlike the previous collection, each DVD is single-sided, as opposed to having different films recorded on both sides of the DVD. The major ‘if’ with the collection, however, is: if you already own the previous collection, is it worth (at the time of this writing) $90 (U.S. dollars)? Probably not; however, if you don’t already own it, then it’s definitely worth the price — at least if you’re a fan of Abbott and Costello; and I am!
DISC 1:
One Night in the Tropics (1940) – Bud and Lou get mixed up in a “Love Insurance” scheme.
Buck Privates (1941)- The duo accidentally enlists in the U.S. Army to avoid arrest.
BONUS FEATURES:
Commentary with Film Historians Bob Furmanek and Ron Palumbo (Buck Privates)
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 2:
In the Navy (1941) – Bud and Lou are sailors on the high seas in this musical comedy.
Hold that Ghost (1941) – The boys inherit a haunted house formerly owned by a mobster.
BONUS FEATURES:
Commentary with Film Historian Jeff Miller (Hold That Ghost)
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 3:
Keep ‘Em Flying(1941) – Bud and Lou enlist in the Army Air Corps. There, they are caught up in a love triangle.
Ride `Em Cowboy (1942) – The duo head to the Lazy S ranch to hide after Lou accidentally proposes to an Indian girl.
BONUS FEATURES:
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 4:
Pardon My Sarong (1942) – Bud and Lou travel to the South Seas. There, Lou is mistaken for a legend. Can he be the hero to save the island?
Who Done It? (1942) – The police suspect the boys of murder. But they’re the target of the actual killer.
BONUS FEATURES:
Commentary with Film Historian Frank Coniff (Who Done It?)
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 5:
It Ain’t Hay (1943) – Only film not previously on DVD
Hit the Ice (1943) – Bud and Lou hit the slopes at the Sun Valley Resort. To avoid gangsters, after they’re eyewitnesses.
BONUS FEATURES:
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 6:
In Society (1944) – The boys find themselves in hot water after a plumbing job goes wrong at a high society bash.
Here Come the Co-Eds (1945) – Bud and Lou head to campus and attempt to save Bixby College from closing down.
BONUS FEATURES:
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 7:
The Naughty Nineties (1945) – Set aboard the River Queen showboat, Bud and Lou perform their legendary “Who’s on First?” routine.
Little Giant (1946) – Lou plays a little man with big dreams and ends up selling vacuum cleaners.
BONUS FEATURES:
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 8:
The Time of Their Lives (1946) – Mistaken as a traitor, Lou’s ghost is trapped in Danbury Mansion until his innocence is proven.
Buck Privates Come Home (1947) – Bud and Lou return to civilian life and get involved in midget car racing in the sequel to Buck Privates!
BONUS FEATURES:
Commentary with Film Historian Frank Thompson (The Time of Their Lives)
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 9:
The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) – Accused of murder, Lou is forced to take care of a widow and her children on a farm.
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) – Bud and Lou encounter Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula and The Wolf Man.
BONUS FEATURES:
Commentary with Film Historian Gregory W. Mank (Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein)
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 10:
Mexican Hayride (1948) – Bud and Lou head south of the border after getting mixed up in an oil stock scheme.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949) – The boys meet up with Boris Karloff after a guest is murdered at their hotel.
BONUS FEATURES:
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 11:
Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950) – Bud and Lou head to Algeria on business and are tricked into joining the Foreign Legion.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951) – As novice private detectives, Bud and Lou come face to face with The Invisible Man.
BONUS FEATURES:
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 12:
Comin’ Round the Mountain (1951) – Lou discovers he is heir to a secret fortune, and the boys search for the hidden treasure.
Lost in Alaska (1952) – Bud and Lou save an ex-sheriff, then discover he is the target of every hitman in the Yukon.
BONUS FEATURES:
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 13:
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) – The boys accidentally take off for Mars and end up in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) – The duo are American cops in London to study police tactics. They wind up in jail and are bailed out by Dr. Jekyll (Boris Karloff). Jekyll has been murdering fellow doctors who laugh at his experiments. He has more murders in mind. At one point the doctor’s serum gets injected into the pair.
BONUS FEATURES:
Commentary with Film Historians Tom Weaver and Richard Scrivani (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
DISC 14:
Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Cops (1955) – Harry and Willie buy the Edison Movie Studio in the year 1912 from Joseph Gorman, a confidence man. They follow Gorman to Hollywood where, as stunt men, they find him directing movies as Sergei Trumanoff and stealing the studio payroll.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955) – In Egypt Peter and Freddie find the archaeologist Dr. Zoomer murdered before they can return to America. A medallion leads them to a crypt where a revived mummy provides the terror.
BONUS FEATURES:
Production Notes
Theatrical Trailer
BONUS DISC (DISC 15):
Abbott and Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Monsters
The World of Abbott and Costello – A compilation of clips from 19 Abbott and Costello features.