Before we jump in, I’d like to say (much like the dedication card in the beginning of the film) a huge and humble THANK YOU to those serving in the military. There is no shortness of gratitude and love in admiration of those who continue to put their lives on the line for our country. Family members of those in uniform, THANK YOU for your patience and selflessness in sharing your loved ones with us all. I see you, I admire you, I thank you.
Following the smashing success of Buck Privates, production on their newest movie, Hold that Ghost, was halted and Abbott and Costello, were enlisted in another branch of the cinematic military! Right off the bat, we were hit with a laugh! If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it ten trillion times, they absolutely NEVER miss an opportunity for a laugh! Raising the wrong flag, a Buck Privates flag, was an extremely cheeky way of them/the studio being like, “Yo, we know how much you loved that movie… now get a load of THIS.”
From there, we get our first taste at just how different the world was in the 1940s. We see what fangirls looked like at their favorite popstar’s concert, all very attentive, but sitting. Concerts nowadays, the artists YELL at you for sitting! (Looking at you Green Day.) There is one woman I particularly love and hope to be one day, as she sits bobbing her head to the music, she also knits. Knitting at a concert, why didn’t I think of that?! That’d probably be a pretty lucrative Etsy business: “This blanket was made at a Harry Styles concert!”
I love cameos of the Marines. (Oorah, Devil Dogs!) This little encounter is an interesting introduction to the idea of having Abbott and Costello separated throughout the film. Until we get to the notorious instance of Costello alone, let’s talk about the 7 x 13 skit.
Math and I get along as well as oil and water. Puddles and socks. So tell me why, in my college math class, which was NOT for college level math, mind you, did my Professor play this skit in class? I think it should be noted, in my tenth grade math, I would get more points for NOT turning in my homework, than I would for turning it in. If you showed up to class, whether you turned in your homework or not, you were given a grade of ten. Ten out of one hundred. Which was an upgrade from my doing the homework, grading it, and receiving a five. Five out of one hundred.
My Professor was choking on his laughter at the skit, but me alongside my fellow remedial math classmates, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry because… It. Just. Made. So. Much. Sense. Why doesn’t 7 X 13 equal 28?
Alright, back to the movie. Is it bad to say I died laughing when Pomeroy got his “Dear John” letter? It probably is... Welp, here's my top two favorite jokes/one liners from the film: “I slept in the sink.” And “Did you go into school, stupid?!” “Yes and I came out that way too!” Another if I said it once… I LOVE naivety played with sarcasm. That combination (commonly seen in Modern Family, and Will Ferrell movies) give me the most boisterous of belly laughs. As you can imagine, I get a lot of belly laughs from Abbott & Costello.
You know when the best time to watch this film would be? (Besides any time, obviously) Game night. You can play Battleship right alongside Abbott and Costello! I was in stitches during this sequence, and quite a bit puzzled when it was revealed to be a dream. It was such a strong sequence, why was it a dream? Well. According to Abbott and Costello in Hollywood, the script was sent to a retired Navy Commander for technical advice and approval. (The studio was hoping to get on the good side of the Navy.) The advice from the Commander? Keep it light and fluffy. It wouldn’t be all too light and fluffy if this sequence were real, would it? Along with this sequence causing quite the stir, Abbott and Costello in Hollywood cites a list of Production Code Violations this film incurred. How crazy is that?!
I stated above, production on Hold that Ghost was halted to work on this film… Upon its release, In the Navy forced theater owners to extend their hours of operations on Sundays to accommodate the massive amount of movie goers!
I do have a bit more of fun little tidbits I learned as well! Did you know the full title of this film is Abbott and Costello and Dick Powell in the Navy? (Here I thought Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was a mouthful.) Every morning, when the dailies would come in, Abbott and Costello would sit alongside the crew and laugh at themselves. I get such a kick out of that, I feel like if I were ever on screen, I’d hide. I don’t think I’d be able to separate myself from the performance! Would you?
Next showing: Hold that Ghost! See you soon!
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CITATIONS:
Furmanek, Bob, and Ron Palumbo. Abbott and Costello in Hollywood. Putnam, 1991.
Photo used is from IMDb