Abbott & Costello | The Art of Chemistry | A Docu-Mini

[@brad_hensil]

They worked with Shemp Howard and Joe Besser., we should’ve got “Abbot and Costello Meets The Three Stooges.” After all, they met Frankenstein (monster), they met the Invisible Man, and they even met Jerry Seinfeld.

[@rufust.firefly2474]

Not to mention the Keystone Cops, Captain Kidd, The Mummy, dr. Jekyll and mr. Hyde, and the Killer (who ended up not being Boris Karloff)!

[@HatsOffEntertainment]

Shemp and Joe Besser actually appear together in Abbott & Costello’s “Africa Screams”

[@brad_hensil]

@@HatsOffEntertainment Close enough, I guess

[@rufust.firefly2474]

Stinky, the little boy played by forty-year-old Joe besser, was a weird character grafted onto the Abbott and Costello show. Joe besser originally played the character on another variety program, I think it was the Steve Allen Show? Lou thought the character was so funny that he asked Besser play stinky on the Abbott and Costello show, and Stinky would appear at random various episodes of the first, and best, season of the program. Besser had it written into his contract with the Three Stooges that he was not to get slapped while working with them (doubling up the load on Larry Fine! ) but he apparently had no problem giving Lou Costello his trademark arm pinches all the time ("Ooo; I'll give you such a pinch!!"). Also appearing in the first season was a chimp named Bingo, who went around dressed like Lou Costello! Supposedly one day Bingo bit Lou and that was the end of his contract!

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@HatsOffEntertainment You know, given SMBSS Mario and Luigi's voices by Lou Albano and Danny Wells, you'd think Danny's Luigi voice sounds more like Bud Abbott because of the similar cadence. There’s also the matter of the SMBSS episodes themselves feeling like something that Abbott and Castello themselves did back in those old movies. Not to mention the Mario Bros Plumbing segments could be a tribute to the Abbott and Castello Show; including the fact that in the live-action segments, Luigi is the Straight Man and Mario is the Comic Foil. Also, 16:46: makes me think of the Anime Mario Movie, where Luigi was wearing a miner’s backpack while using a Pick Axe and a Shovel.

[@GreenHornet1962]

Lou Costello did an episode of "Wagon Train" shortly before his death. He proved to be a very good dramatic actor. I read that Bud Abbott was the first one to call Lou after the episode aired. May they both rest in peace.

[@adamfox9651]

"Order something small." "I'll have a small steak."

[@teddyfurstman1997]

They along with the Three Stooges and Larul and Hardy are comedy legends.

[@Bonzenmann]

Please, don't forget the Marx Bros.

[@sugreev2001]

@@Bonzenmann I was about to mention them. The big 4 of comedy.

[@jessecaldwell6776]

The Bowery Boys as well

[@markclincy4353]

Well said, well said. I enjoyed Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges, Laurel and Hardy and The Max Bros.

[@100aceswid]

The Marx Brothers and The Little Rascals as well.

[@johnsmith-lk9jh]

About and Costello were a big part of my childhood...when their movies were on my whole family would watch and laugh...Bud was the adult and Lou was the forever young kid...their routines were priceless and brought so much laughter to house over the years.

[@Jimpsonjbird]

They were part of my childhood too! I even had an Abbott and Costello themed birthday party!

[@BehindtheBellsPodcast]

Though I haven’t seen a ton of their work, I was shown their “Whose on First” bit in the 9th grade American History which led me to watching Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein. Now that movie is in my Halloween cannon

[@elizabethpeterson1644]

I used to watched their movies when I was 6 years old with my father on TV and snacking on peanuts. When I was little that I didn’t understand the jokes or even slapstick comedies. When I got older that I laughed so hard. My favorite one of them was meeting Frankenstein monster.

[@eriknelson7077]

Charlie Barton; “The monsters were like cute babies. The REAL monsters were Abbot and Costello”

[@ajclements4627]

These two will live on forever.

[@Gappasaurus]

8:08 I’ve always been fascinated by Shemp’s solo career, any chance you may do a deep dive on this little-explored aspect of Stooge history? 😯

[@locnar1]

His role as the projectionist in Hellzapoppin' is great, and this channel could do an entire video on Hellzapoppin'.

[@CurlysGrandson]

I would love to know more too. Hats Off does such a great job. I just interviewed Shemp's daughter-in-law who was married to Shemp's only son. She had lots of fond memories and some great information. I'm tracking down other family members that have personal stories and items and will try to put something together for the fans soon.

[@mikeypierce3635]

He has

[@Gappasaurus]

@@mikeypierce3635 Well, no… he did an episode talking about Shemp’s history in the context of the Three Stooges act (as he also did for Larry, and I believe plans to do for all the members), but that only touches _very_ briefly on his solo career. I’m hoping someday Hats Off will do a video focusing in depth on Shemp’s solo shorts & other work, as he was the only one of the “main four” that had any sort of a career outside of the Stooges, but it rarely gets talked about 😕

[@mikemarvela]

They are the best comedians ever! I love watching them over and over!❤

[@stapuft]

abbot and costello are possibly my favorite comedians, when i was a child in the boy scouts my troop always did "who's on first" for skit competitions.

[@kevinmadden1645]

Abbott and Costello were pedestrian comedians who lucked out with one extremely funny routine, "Who's On First" .

[@lekmirn.hintern8132]

@@kevinmadden1645 You buffoon!

[@sethrodgers5582]

Ever thought about a "forgotten successes" series? Something like Gunsmoke was in media for 30+ years and is barely remembered today.

[@TheVengefulSquid]

That happens to a lot of thing. Lost was everywhere for years now its barely known. Breaking Bad will be forgotten. But yeah I think a "forgotten successes" series would be good, nice to know things that are forgotten

[@SteveChiverton]

SOAP by Susan Harris! Just about the most laugh out loud funny sit-com ever. 4 glorious seasons, the whole damned planet talking about it. A series that became so influential that Dynasty, a series Soap heavily mocked, even stole the whole 'abducted by aliens' storyline! For years people raved about it and asked 'when is it coming back -even though in the final episode they literally killed off the ENTIRE cast in the perfect 'soap opera over the top' cliffhanger, yet somehow never even repeated in most countries. But now, nobody even seems to remember it, or admit to having ever even heard of it!

[@eduardo_corrochio]

@@SteveChiverton Another show that seems to have faded away from pop culture was "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman". Such a strange soap opera spoof. In its time it was probably popular (Carol Burnett's show did a spot on parody of it), and I think it was on most every night, and that takes its toll on cast, writers, and crew.

[@crustyMilk]

Gunsmoke still on TV a good amount. I watch it every so often.

[@eduardo_corrochio]

Wait, people remember Gunsmoke: MeTV channel shows it, and it's always mentioned when people talk about longest running scripted series. It has hardly faded into obscurity, but admittedly it's not something your average young adult would know today (of course).

[@SM-gl8yo]

Enjoyed this. Thank you. Mention of the 1946 film 'The Time of Their Lives' deserves honorable mention! A real gem.

[@THEDUDE32967]

Hold that Ghost and Going to Mars were my favourite movies as a kid

[@fraternachash6015]

The Andrews Sisters were awesome. Loved their appearances in these movies

[@CalicoKush90]

My personal favorite comedy duo. I was introduced to them with a DVD collection my mom got me as a child. We watched every single film and special that was on there and laughed. I'd like to think their still performing in heaven and mom has a great seat!

[@terrenceswiff]

No seriously, that they're still HILARIOUS even today completely blows me away. Like, it's miraculous

[@bensneb360]

As a lifelong Abbott & Costello fan, this was a great video and tribute. A lot of fun, thank you.

[@twosuns20]

I didn't realize how many of their movies I've watched as a kid on TV on Saturdays.

[@joerogers9413]

"Give me the bird! Give me the bird!" "If only the Hayes Code would let me." LMAO 😆

[@Jimpsonjbird]

Ahh. The good old days of the Hayes Code :)

[@silyknow]

@@Jimpsonjbird they sucked but yea :)

[@silyknow]

The Hayes code did,not the films

[@user-zh4vo1kw1z]

*drops microphone and walks away

[@melissacooper8724]

It wasn't until I was an adult that I got the Hayes Code joke.

[@Jared_Wignall]

Abbot and Costello are two of the best comedy duos of all time. I remember watching their movies when I was a kid as well as some of their episodes from The Colgate Comedy Hour. They were hilarious and are defiantly legends. Thank you for the video!

[@THE-HammerMan]

"...ONE of the best comedy duos..." As great as they were, they couldn't be TWO duos! Hard enough being ONE duo.

[@ninjapistol14]

Without this channel, I would have never learned about these two and Laurel and Hardy. Thank you

[@tripdefect87]

I've always had a soft spot for "Africa Screams", probably because I watched it so much as a child

[@TheAdventurer1]

In addition to their hilarious physical comedy prowess, I have always loved and laughed at their rapid fire jokes and puns. No other comedy team had their ability in this area.

[@kimyongin1987]

The Three Stooges Abbott and Costello Marx Brothers Laurel and Hardy All of them are irreplaceable comedy greats.

[@anguirus6803]

Chaplin ?

[@weldin]

@@anguirus6803 I think Kim is just listing duos/groups

[@jacobjinglehymer8789]

Very true, but culture has changed and unfortunately no one is interested anymore in recreating this type of humor. We have reached cultural oblivion and there's no turning back.😢

[@GrosvnerMcaffrey]

​@Jacob Jinglehymer don't say that. the fact we still have 3 stooges conventions and things like TCM proves there's an audience Hollywood just dosen't have the balls anymore

[@zapdunga12]

Don't forget Gleason and Carney or The Little Rascals

[@KhakiCube]

I remember talking movies with some older folks when one of them mentioned to me to watch Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein. Still one of the best movie suggestions I've ever received to this day.

[@TheJokersCorner]

I was wondering when you would make an Abbott and Costello video and I'm so happy you did! These guys were a class act and have always been one of my top references for great comedy and timing. 😁🃏

[@ProductBasement]

I was raised on these guys. Truly classic. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson could never hold a candle to Abbott and Costello, and A&B could be enjoyed by people of any age, not just adults

[@RonJDuncan]

Different product for a different time. Abbott and Costello are matchless, and dare I say anybody who wants become an actor, especially a comedic one, owes it to themselves to study them as part of the classics - not to mention Laurel and Hardy, and the Marx Brothers.

[@carnacthemagnificent2498]

As a kid in the late '70s my dad went to the local library and borrowed a projector and a stack of old silent movies to show us kids. Keaton, Chaplin, Lloyd, Laurel and Hardy, a lot of old Our Gang stuff that was never in the syndicated TV run. But the ones he personally wanted to watch were a bunch of Abbott and Costello movies. The old silent stars were a bit before his time but he grew up with Abbott and Costello and I have great memories of watching the movies you refer to with my brothers and my dad and laughing out butts off together. Nice tribute as always!

[@WhatAboutZoidberg]

"Hey Abbott" "I Hate that guy" Absolute legends, need to watch more of the monster movies, good thing October is almost here.

[@RK-jp4xe]

What are the odds? I just started rewatching their work a few days ago. Perfect timing. I love these two. Thanks for the video!!!

[@allenrubinstein3696]

You're a national treasure, Joe. All of these comedy geniuses should never be forgotten.

[@richmoves]

This is such an informative and well put together retrospective about their careers. It's easy to forget just how brilliant they were. I must've watched "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" about 100x as a kid. You can see and feel their influence on comedy right up to today. 🎬😆⏳

[@danielvain]

One of the best Bud Abbott lines comes from "Hold That Ghost;" when the group is boarding the car that will take them all to the inherited hotel, Lou bumps his head on the roof of the car, Bud quickly remarks, "Go ahead, ruin the man's car!" Cracks me up every single time. Lou's most standout line and even complete performance that I'd argue was nearly Oscar nominee caliber was his performance in "Little Giant." When Lou (playing "Benny Miller") is returning home to Cucamonga (which is a real city in CA, and only about a half hour drive from where I live,) a bird, that "Benny" was bringing home to his mother, escapes and the heartbreak of losing the bird, especially after all the drama that Benny has had to deal with up to that moment, Lou Costello breaks your heart with his portrayal of that moment.

[@Scripts360]

Very well done. As an Abbott & Costello fan for over fifty years, it brought back wonderful memories.

[@robinthrush9672]

I don't know why I wasn't recommended this the day it came out. I love this pair.

[@robynsineadsheppard6480]

Thanks for this. It's good to see the comics I grew up with are still appreciated today.

[@bocswu]

15:45 I remember, as a kid, waching the TV show in the late 70's and hating Mr. Fields. After purchasing the complete Universal DVD's a few years ago and rewatching him in Mexican Hayride I have a new found appreciation for Sid Fields. His delivery as the reporter was perfect. I DVR'd all the tv episodes after that and realized what a genius he truly was.

[@Nick-ty9us]

That’s a sign of a great actor that made you really hate the character they played

[@davidjones9661]

@bocswu And to further your appreciation of Sidney Fields (the actual actor) is that he helped write much of the material seen on the A&C Show...

[@plaidzebra5526]

Loved watching these guys growing up as a kid. I'm grateful that my mom and grandparents made me watch them. Great memories.

[@ProfSir1]

Abbott & Costello will forever be my favorite comedic duo.

[@vicmartinoofficial331]

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are timeless. One of the greatest comedy teams of all time. By the way just for the record "Hold That Ghost" was actually made after "In The Navy" not "Buck Privates" and Shemp Howard appeared in "Buck Privates" then "In The Navy" and later on in "It Ain't Hay" then finally with Abbott and Costello in "Africa Screams" Universal decided not to renew their contract after "Meet the Mummy" and they went on to make "Dance with me Henry" their last film together.

[@katemaloney4296]

Thank you for bringing these two legends into the forefront! I feel that Abbott and Costello dont get the appreciation they very well deserve. With this and youtube, I hope more generations discover this treasure of comedy brilliance.

[@wickedlee664]

Thank you so much for this as well as your other work featuring the duo. I first became aware of the pair watching them meet the monsters on late night TV in the 80’s. The Universal Monsters were a childhood obsession of mine and Meet Frankenstein is a masterpiece. I then began collecting VHS tapes of their other films and have been a huge fan ever since. It’s so much fun watching your loving treatment of all the classic comedians you feature. Yup yup!

[@Hawkman220]

Abbott and Costello my favorite comedy duo of all time!

[@dangelo1369]

You forgot another great double act: George Burns and Gracie Allen. Started before A&C in Vaudville and lasted until 1955. They also were huge in movies, radio and television.

[@michaelmitchell5098]

You’re right…duo comedy is a lost art. I’m glad it has been preserved so we can enjoy it.

[@danlaclairsoldmoviehaven7199]

Thanks for this great presentation... I was a big fan of Abbott and Costello back in the 1970s as a teen

[@Neyebureturns]

I am from Spain, where these two and the other comedy legends you talk about are not so well know. Thanks for discovering me these stars.

[@keithmccabe4040]

I like your channel, I just subscribed even though this was posted a year ago. You're a thoughtful guy and I appreciate old school comedy. And your work is appreciated.

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

They were BEYOND Great. Thank you.

[@Morgil27]

I always liked when they did jokes involving math or grammar. Who's On First and 13 into 28 are some of my all time favorites.

[@murphysmundaneadventures5730]

To this day, one of my all time favorite movies will always be Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein! I will always Love Bud and Lou! I grew up with the repeats on Sunday Morning as well as Ma and Pa Kettle, Lou was the first guy that taught me self deprecation and it worked for years as an Actor! Thank you for this video.. I studied their history for years and always use that when I make a film..

[@VicMartino]

Hats off to A&C one of the greatest of all comedy teams.

[@Jmixup]

Superb docu-mini as always. Really enjoy kicking back and relaxing with your videos. Thanks!

[@vicman3122]

I'm from Costa Rica and I grew up with these guys, In the 90s there were reruns of their movie over and over again every Saturday and Sunday.

[@TheMrsmartass13]

I only knew of Abbot and Costello from the few movies or tv shows that would refrence them wether in name or in one of their bits, but seeing how unique and interesting their films were and especially how interesting their tv show looks I'm more compelled to view their work after this video than before, this channels love and care really shows in the fact I wanna go out and buy these movies for a viewing and not just stream them or find a free version. I have a list of movies to check out that I'm only adding names too cause of this channel, and I love it.

[@sugreev2001]

I still yell “Hey Abbotttt” when I want to annoy my mom. Though I was always more of a Laurel & Hardy fan than Abbott & Costello, but I loved them all the same. Their horror crossovers are some of the funniest movies ever made. Edit: I completely forgot about Captain Kidd starring Charles Laughton, another legendary actor.

[@anjkovo2138]

Who doesn't love these Guys. COMEDIANS THAT WILL LIVE ON FOREVER👍😀👍❤

[@C0ldIron]

The only place you can find a real comedy team like this nowadays is in Japan with their monzai teams. One of the reasons I’m trying to learn the language.

[@dennisdeleo74]

Once again, a great tribute to one of the great comedy teams…My idea of Heaven is to spend eternity with Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges, and the Marx Brothers. This tribute tops them all! ( I’m still waiting for a DVD release of your version of Atoll K ). Finally someone who actually understands the great comedians of the Golden Age of Comedy. You wouldn’t have the comedians of today if it weren’t for them…those comedy teams perfected their craft…that is why we still enjoy them today…I know I have a few years on you, but I remember Abbott and Costello movies shown every Sunday morning on channel 11 here in NY in the late 60s into the 80s . You keep the spirit of the old time comics alive…And I thank you!!!

[@facetina]

They are timeless. Great tribute Joe.

[@joelesser2550]

Great job on Bud & Lou's story. They were very funny! Some of their movies are great! I grew up watching them on Sunday mornings and remained a fan.

[@claymccoy]

My favorite bit of theirs is 7X13=28.

[@slimm2307]

10/10. My favorite hats off video yet, my second favorite duo. Now if we were so lucky for a Martin and Lewis video and a extended Jerry Lewis video. ❤❤ Keep up the awesome work!! Thank you!!!

[@fletchkeilman2205]

.My dad has been waiting for this one. By the way .....we love your channel. This was the stuff my dad introduced to me when I was a little boy .......well, this and monsters were all we watched hahahaha! So, this channel is like heavy nostalgia for us both, and we definitely thank you for it.

[@BrokenDarkFire]

I’ve been rewatching their Universal Monsters movie for Halloween lately, and it’s reminded me how much I love their movies. Thanks for the informative video essay/walk down memory lane! I was surprised there were quite a few movies I never got around to watching as a kid - gonna have to add them to the watch list.

[@artofhobo]

I say this again...seriously I would love to see you do these short docs for TCM. amazing job

[@eduardo_corrochio]

Thanks for this loving tribute. These two gents were hilarious. In their television sitcom I prefer the first season. In particular: Episode 20, Hillary's Birthday, contains a fabulous sequence involving landlord Mr. Fields beating on poor Lou during a party every time Bud eggs him on to turn the radio back on. It's a total riot. By the way, Sid Fields was always solid in this series, and deserves a lot of credit for his acting and writing. I believe that Seinfeld scribe Larry Charles named the cranky old man in "The Old Man" episode Sid Fields after him. And Jerry Seinfeld has said that his show was intentionally peppered with mean characters (usually only appearing one or a few times over a season) because that's how it was on Lou and Bud's TV show-- there was so often a cantankerous neighbor or shop clerk there to antagonize, insult or berate Lou.

[@ryancorrell6895]

yet another great one! love the work you do to keep these comedy legends alive.

[@arciem1959]

Many of their films were on Turner Classic Films for a Saturday/Sunday marathon in August 2021. Hopefully the network will be able to show again in 2022. Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein is a staple on Me-Tv's Svengoolie during Halloween weekend.

[@jabroniman]

Great! So glad you did this one.

[@dougrobinson1171]

I almost never watch the things you recommend, but I for sure do have more appreciation for them after watching your videos. Thanks for the content sir.

[@Tadicuslegion78]

My mom introduced me and my sister to Abbott and Costello in the 90s because our local library had a bunch of the old movies on VHS tapes, and I've been hooked since. Who's on first is the classic, but I find it funniest when it's Lou getting the jump over Bud for a change such as 13x7 In the Navy or the craps game in Buck Privates. Or in Keep 'em Flying the diner scene with Martha Raye as the "twin" waitresses

[@chrisdigitalartist]

As always great video! I love this duo. Now I am very interested in checking out that Lon Chaney Jr and Shemp Howard movie! Wow! Never thought I could see those two together!

[@Bozek10]

Bud Abbott wasn't a bad looking guy in the early films. Bud did a Stan Laurel after Costello passed away. He didn't act in front of the camera again.

[@hulotati]

He did try and continue live stage work with another partner, Candy Candido, but it didn't take off.

[@spencerfrankclayton4348]

@@hulotati It was mildly successful, but Bud quit because he said "It wasn't the same without Lou."

[@dreamquesttv]

He DID act in front of the camera at least once: in a dramatic role (opposite Lee Marvin). And in fact, he was GOOD, but according to a guest on Gilbert Gottfried's podcast, the IRS seized his entire check from the performance, which ultimately swore him off of acting permanently.

[@CommanderOfTheSun]

I love them.

[@leodf1]

Hats off man

[@floatpvnk]

Classic comedy gold. Loving the content on this channel!

[@Jimpsonjbird]

There's not a single act in history that has been more influential to me, than Abbott and Costello. Brilliantly done!

[@chucky7324]

Hit the ice, coming around the mountain, oh heck every movie i loved

[@skiprockjr.6881]

I saw Lon Chaney walking with the Queen.

[@dizzyspellpunk7976]

Thanks for the nostalgia

[@javsheredia6234]

The "Lifesaver" gag really cracked me up

[@brucevodka]

Thank you Joe...Naturally!

[@mAdcApMalkmus]

Another great video!

[@johnnycotton3217]

I love Abbott and Costello and your content

[@feloniousbutterfly]

Legend has it one of Lou's last words of note was that a strawberry icecream soda he was enjoying was the best he'd ever had. :,)

[@tremorsfan]

The Time of Their Lives was the first A&C movie I ever watched. What's great about it is that it gives Abbott the chance to take a few pratfalls.

[@josephblumenberg6574]

Still some of the BEST comedic timing out there

[@MrJoeybabe25]

This is quite wonderful. Abbott and Costello were the funniest duo in comedy. I hope you might consider doing a docu on Joe Besser. Or perhaps one on "nance" comics.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Best comic duo in history.

[@zapdunga12]

Gleason and Carney were pretty good too. You can watch those classic 39 honeymooners episodes a hundred times and still laugh

[@abdelali9279]

18:42 my man was 80 years ahead of everyone else, he was definitely on a different plane

[@TheKillOG]

I grew up in the 90's and I love them

[@dthought42]

My favorite was Jack and the bean stock.

[@murphysmundaneadventures5730]

Also, I still can't believe that no ones ever done an actual Biopic of them. The Stand and Ollie movie from 2 years ago was really good, but no ones ever put the time into telling the story of LITERALLY One of the BEST Comedy Teams of All Time!!

[@enriquemedina3631]

1 year late but Bud and Lou starring Harvey Korman and Buddy Hackett.

[@CLM1987]

I always liked Abbott and Costello, I even remember the Looney Tunes versions Babbit and Catstello

[@joernc]

11:30 reminded me: How about a video on Martha Raye? And/or "Hellzapoppin'"? I think this movie was way ahead of its time.

[@sethrodgers5582]

Hellzapoppin is ahead of our time!

[@XperimentorEES]

And why have jokes and skits like these been so fondly remembered far beyond their time? Because you can't go wrong with clean humble fun. If only it wasn't a lost art, the world might not be so cynical today.

[@bighuge1060]

I can't imagine this team being successful without Bud Abbott's straight man abilities to bring Lou Costello back on the train track, especially during the much ad-libbed and hilarious Colgate Comedy Hour.

[@danielhalem5799]

My grandmother was raised by Bud and Betty Abbott. Worked in burlesque and vaudeville with them and partnered with Abbott for a time, where Bud wrote the bits and played Costello’s parts.