Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello were a highly popular American comedy duo consisting of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, who first met in 1933 and officially teamed up in 1936. They rose to fame through their unique blend of witty banter and slapstick humor, becoming a dominant force in entertainment for over two decades. Their notable works include the iconic skit "Who's on First?" and a series of successful films throughout the 1940s, such as "Buck Privates" and "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein." In addition to their film career, they made significant contributions to radio, hosting several programs that enjoyed high rankings during their run.
During World War II, Abbott and Costello supported the war effort by entertaining troops and raising funds for war bonds, demonstrating their commitment to uplifting the public spirit. They also ventured into television in the 1950s, continuing to engage audiences until their amicable split in 1957. Their legacy is recognized through various honors, including a posthumous induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2005. Abbott and Costello remain cultural icons, celebrated for their comedic genius and enduring influence on the world of entertainment.
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Abbott and Costello
Identification American comedy acting team
Abbott and Costello were a very successful comedy team on stage, radio, film, and television. Apart from a brief separation in 1945, the duo performed together from 1936 through 1957. Their skit “Who’s on First?” became their signature routine, making them one of the most popular comedy teams in history.
It is believed that Bud Abbott and Lou Costello first met in New York City in 1933, crossing paths on the burlesque circuit. In 1935, while performing separate acts, the two comedians officially met at the Eltinge Theatre in New York City. They joined their acts in 1936 and soon found themselves atop the entertainment world, where they remained for twenty-one years.
In 1939, the team accepted roles in the Broadway musical Streets of Paris. After receiving noteworthy reviews for their work, they were contracted by Universal Studios for the comedy One Night in the Tropics (1940), in which they played minor roles. Recognizing the star power of the young team, Universal quickly signed them to a long-term contract. First starring in the 1941 film Buck Privates, the comedic duo made a total of twenty-five films during the 1940s, including Hold That Ghost (1941), Ride ’Em Cowboy (1942), Pardon My Sarong (1942), and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).
Abbott and Costello were not limited to the silver screen. It was during this same time period that they also took their act to radio. In 1940, they hosted a summer show for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) in Fred Allen’s absence. The following year, they were regulars with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy on The Chase and Sanborn Program. Then, in 1942, they presided over their own half-hour program on NBC. The show peaked in 1944 at number six and was consistently ranked in the top ten. In 1947, the duo took the program to the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), where they also hosted The Abbott and Costello Children’s Show, which aired on Saturday mornings.
During World War II, Abbott and Costello were supportive of the war effort. Their comedy was uplifting not only to the general public but also to the troops. In an effort to raise funds for the war bond drive, the comedians funded their own cross-country tour and continually played to full houses. At one point, they raised $89 million in three days.
Impact
Best known for the skit “Who’s on First?,” in which the suave and smooth-talking Abbott describes to a confused Costello a baseball team including players named Who, What, Tomorrow, and I Don’t Know, the duo was hardly a one-act show. The 1950s saw the comedy team starring in their own television program and films, until they amicably parted in 1957. In 1941, Abbott and Costello were honored at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, where they left their hand- and footprints in the cement outside the landmark venue. In 2005, they were posthumously inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago.
Bibliography
Costello, Chris, and Raymond Strait. Lou’s on First: A Biography. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1981.
Cox, Stephen, and John Lofflin. The Abbott and Costello Story: Sixty Years of “Who’s on First?” 2nd ed. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland House, 1997.
Nollen, Scott Allen, Abbott and Costello on the Home Front: A Critical Study of the Wartime Films. McFarland, 2009.
Thomas, Bob. Bud and Lou: The Abbott and Costello Story. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1977.