Customer Reviews Read 101 more reviews... Reflections of a bygone era July 27, 2008 John Liosatos (Crook County, IL United States) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The first DVD collection of eight A&C movies with Universal Recording Studios is truly memorable. The mainstays of this collection are the three service films, Buck Privates, In The Navy and Keep 'em Flying. These films harken back to a time when Hollywood actually showed patriotism, unlike the liberal-run Hollywood of today, which uses movies to sabotage national pride. One can certainly feel the pride and admiration of our armed forces shining through. The Andrews Sisters' "You're a lucky fellow, Mr. Smith" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" are a testament to this patriotic attitude. Today's Hollywood crowd can take lessons from these films. The very first film to showcase A&C, A Night in The Tropics, does not feature the boys, but rather centers around a love insurance ploy, with A&C as minor characters performing routines sprinkled throughout the movie for laughs. And no doubt, the laughs come in bunches. Although much maligned for not featuring A&C, the film is actually pretty good, standing on its own merit. Plus it's notable since it represents A&C debut on the big screen. Hold That Ghost propels A&C into the direction of comedy terror, and foreshadows later "A&C MEET..." films. The boys here play heirs to a gangsters bequeathment, which they stumble onto in a right place/right time situation. As usual, A&C films have their share of political incorrectness, in this case Ted Lewis singing in a night club "Me And My Shadow", with his very black sidekick mimicking his every move behind him. AWESOME. Next the boys delve into the comedy western genre in Ride' Em Cowboy. This film sees the boys head off to a dude ranch to get their many laughs. Highlighting this film is Costello's hysterical ride of a wild bucking bronco. Meanwhile, the politically incorrectness here has Costello spending the enire film eluding Red Indians, "those darned Redskins" as the calls them. Not too flattering portrayal of Indians, but so what. It's funny. Get over it. Ride 'Em Cowboy is also significant because it represents a young, unknown singer's first appearance on screen, entertaining a busload of vacationers with "A Tisket A Tasket, My Green and Yellow Basket". She would eventually move on to international prominence and fame. Abbott & Costello can boast launching the career of this young, up & coming star, Ella Fitzgerald! Pardon My Sarong I have always felt is one of A&C's most underrated, underappreciated movies. The boys manage to steal a Chicago bus, and through fate and misfortune end up on a tropical island dodging jewel thieves. POLITICALLY INCORRECT MOMENT: A singing quartet of black dudes billing themselves The Four Ink Spots! Gotta love it. Try that today, Hollywood. Capping off this DVD release is A&C's first of two murder mysteries, Who Done It (the other being A&C Meet the Killer, which can be found on DVD SET THREE). Here the boys play amateur detectives to solve the murder of a radio station executive. A&C films certainly reflect the values and refreshing insensitivity of the 1940s. Anyone wanting to get a taste of how it used to be should get these films; highly recommended.
Funny and great family time for all February 10, 2008 Ralph W. RoundsII (Illinois)
If you like good old fashion comedy then this is it. Classic is the word that sums it up the best. I always enjoyed Lou and Bud when I was young and now I can share that fun with my son. Great fun for the whole family. So pop the popcorm and grap the drinks and have a great time.
Excellent package February 10, 2008 PHD (Windsor, CT USA)
I read a lot of comments on the poor quality of some of the discs people received, but I found mine to be of very high quality, and very enjoyable.
Amazing ! The Golden Age of American Film Making January 25, 2008 Nikolai Shebalin (San Francisco) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
These movies are excellent. I am not from the WWII generation my wife and I are in our thirties and I have to say that these movies are amazing. Luckily I grew up on these films. They used to be on local TV all the time in the 70s and early 80s and I truly fel lin love with them. Much like the Warner Bros Looney Tunes cartoons I have to say these films have a sharp sense of humour that does not feel dated. My wife and I wish we could go back to this time period, life sure seemed much nicer. Even if it wasnt at least Hollywood did its best to show us a better world and not the negative, violent, and profane world of today. A defenite prize in our DVD collection !! We watch these often and always get a laugh and a smile .
Abbott and Costello are the best January 1, 2008 Randall M. Hillman (Wood River IL)
Hold That Ghost is my second favorite movie from them - I recommend the entire best of series
|