The Candle Routine – a classic Abbott and Costello routine, where Lou Costello sees a candle moving under its own power. But nobody else does!
The Candle Routine is a classic Abbott and Costello routine, typically done in a haunted house setting. The basic scenario has a frightened Lou Costello in one room, while his partner Bud Abbott goes into another. In the room by himself, Lou sees a candle on a table, coffin, etc. mysteriously moving entirely by itself! But when Bud comes back into the room, of course — nothing happens. And Bud leaves the room, and it happens again! And a third time, following the rule of three.
I refer to it as a “Snuffleupagus” moment, from the Sesame Street character, who interacts with Big Bird, but is never seen by anybody else. It’s a routine that’s been done many times, in many forms. For example in The Abbott and Costello Show episode, Safari, in the jungle at first Lou sees the gorilla — but Bud and Hillary don’t.
The candle routine can be seen in:
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein
- Hold That Ghost
- The Abbott and Costello Show – The Haunted Castle
Ferdie: [to Camille] With one eye, watch that candle, with the other eye watch the other candle, and with the other eye, watch me.
Hold That Ghost