Movies

The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Marjorie Main

Abbott and Costello’s movie,  The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap is a spoof on the typical Western, with  Bud Abbott and  Lou Costello playing travelling salesmen who stop in the Old Wild West town of Wagon Gap, Montana on their way to California. Upon entering the town,  Lou shoots a pistol into the air, as the town drunk is murdered. The town then tries Lou for the murder.  Under an actual Montana law of the time, they sentence him to assume the debts and dependents of the dead man. Lou is now worked to death during the day by the Widow Hawkins  (played by Marjorie Main of the “Ma and Pa Kettle‘ movie series) and her seven children. And by the saloonkeeper at nights to pay off the dead man’s debts.

Abbott and Costello’s In Society (1943), starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello – DVD review

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play the part of inept plumbers, who are hired to repair a leaky faucet at a mansion, shortly before a costume ball. After a hilarious sequence destroying the bathroom through their incompetence, Abbott and Costello are (mistakenly) invited to a society weekend, where a villain tries to enlist their help in stealing a valuable painting, “The Plunger.” This leads into a comedic chase scene at the end, where all gets resolved.

Dance with Me, Henry (1956) Bud Abbott and Lou Costello’€™s final film together

Abbott and Costello in Little Giant (1946) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello

Little Giant was an enormous change for both Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. It is different from most of their comedies in several respects – Abbott and Costello are not a team, indeed are not even friends. Rather than relying on gags and verbal humor, it is a situational comedy, with an accent on physical humor. Although a comedy, it is much deeper than their standard comedies, with Lou Costello playing a character who tugs at your heart strings – and tugs hard.