Bud Abbott Filmography (1940-1966)

Date of Birth:
2 October 1895, Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA

Date of Death:
24 April 1974, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Bud Abbott was a veteran burlesque entertainer from a show business family. He had worked at Coney Island and ran his own burlesque touring companies. At first he worked as a straight man to his wife Betty, then with veteran burlesque comedians like Harry Steppe and Harry Evanson. When he met his future partner in comedy, Abbott was performing in Minsky's burlesque shows.

Bud Abbott Filmography (1940-1966)

1. "Abbott & Costello" (1966) TV series (voice) .... Abbott
2. "General Electric Theater" .... Ernie Kauffman (1 episode, 1961)
3. "The Abbott and Costello Show" .... Bud Abbott (53 episodes, 1952-1958)
4. Dance with Me Henry (1956) .... Bud Flick
5. Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955) .... Harry Pierce
6. Fireman Save My Child (1954) (uncredited) .... Man in Long Shots
7. Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) .... Slim
8. Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) .... Lester ... aka On to Mars ... aka Rocket and Roll
9. Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (1952) .... Rocky Stonebridge
10. Lost in Alaska (1952) .... Tom Watson ... aka Abbott and Costello Lost in Alaska (UK)
11. Jack and the Beanstalk (1952) .... Mr. Dinkel/Mr. Dinkelpuss
12. Comin' Round the Mountain (1951) .... Al Stewart
13. Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951) .... Bud Alexander ... aka Meet the Invisible Man
14. Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950) .... Bud Jones ... aka Foreign Legion
15. Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949) .... Casey Edwards
... aka Abbot and Costello Meet the Killer
... aka Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer Boris Karloff (USA: long title)
... aka Meet the Killer
16. Africa Screams (1949) .... Buzz Johnson ... aka Abbott and Costello in Africa
17. Mexican Hayride (1948) .... Harry Lambert
18. Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) .... Chick Young
... aka Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (USA: alternative title)
... aka Abbott and Costello Meet the Ghosts (UK)
19. The Noose Hangs High (1948) .... Ted Higgins
20. The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) .... Duke Egan ... aka The Wistful Widow (UK)
21. Buck Privates Come Home (1947) .... Slicker Smith ... aka Rookies Come Home (UK)
22. The Time of Their Lives (1946) Cuthbert Greenway / Dr. Ralph Greenway ... aka The Ghost Steps Out
23. Little Giant (1946) .... Eddie L. Morrison / T.S. Chandler ... aka On the Carpet (UK)
24. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood (1945)Buzz Kurtis aka Abbott and Costello in Hollywood
25. The Naughty Nineties (1945) .... Dexter Broadhurst
26. Here Come the Co-eds (1945) .... Slats McCarthy
27. Lost in a Harem (1944) .... Peter Johnson
28. In Society (1944) .... Eddie Harrington ... aka Abbott and Costello in Society
29. Hit the Ice (1943) .... Flash Fulton ... aka Oh Doctor
30. It Ain't Hay (1943) .... Grover Mockridge ... aka Money for Jam (UK)
31. Who Done It? (1942) .... Chick Larkin / Voice of Himself on Radio
32. Pardon My Sarong (1942) .... Algernon 'Algy' Shaw
33. Rio Rita (1942) .... 'Doc'
34. Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) .... Duke
35. Keep 'Em Flying (1941) .... Blackie Benson
36. Hold That Ghost (1941) .... Chuck Murray ... aka Oh, Charlie
37. In the Navy (1941) .... Smokey Adams ... aka Abbott and Costello in the Navy (Australia)
38. Buck Privates (1941) .... Slicker Smith ... aka Rookies (UK)
39. One Night in the Tropics (1940) .... Abbott

Lou Costello Filmography (1926-1959)

Date of Birth:
6 March 1906, Paterson, New Jersey, USA

Date of Death:
3 March 1959, East Los Angeles, California, USA

Mini Biography:
Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey.

Lou Costello had been a burlesque comic since 1930, after failing to break into movie acting and working as a stunt double and film extra. He appears briefly in the 1927 Laurel and Hardy silent two-reeler, The Battle of the Century, seated at ringside during Stan's ill-fated boxing match. As a teenager, Costello had been an amateur boxer in his hometown of Paterson, New Jersey.

Trivia:
He and Bud Abbott are known in Italy as "Gianni and Pinotto".

Lou Costello Filmography (1926-1959)

1. The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959) .... Artie Pinsetter
... aka Lou Costello and His 30 Foot Bride
... aka The Secret Bride of Candy Rock
2. "Wagon Train" .... Tobias Jones (1 episode, 1958) ... aka "Major Adams, Trail Master"
- The Tobias Jones Story (1958) TV episode .... Tobias Jones
3. "The Abbott and Costello Show" .... Lou Costello / ... (53 episodes, 1952-1958)
4. "General Electric Theater" .... Neal Andrews (1 episode, 1958)
5. "The Steve Allen Show" .... Comedian-Charlie Carwash / ... (6 episodes, 1957-1958)
6. Dance with Me Henry (1956) .... Lou Henry ... aka Dance with Me, Henry (USA: poster title)
7. Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955) .... Willie Piper
8. Fireman Save My Child (1954) (uncredited) .... Man in Long Shots
9. Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) .... Tubby
10. Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) .... Orville
... aka On to Mars
... aka Rocket and Roll
11. Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (1952) .... Captain 'Puddin' head' Feathergill
12. Lost in Alaska (1952) .... George Bell ... aka Abbott and Costello Lost in Alaska (UK)
13. Jack and the Beanstalk (1952) .... Jack / Jack Strong
14. Comin' Round the Mountain (1951) .... Wilbert Smith
15. Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951) .... Lou Francis ... aka Meet the Invisible Man
16. Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950) .... Lou Hotchkiss ... aka Foreign Legion
17. Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949) .... Freddie Phillips
... aka Abbot and Costello Meet the Killer
... aka Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer Boris Karloff (USA: long title)
... aka Meet the Killer
18. Africa Screams (1949) .... Stanley Livington ... aka Abbott and Costello in Africa
19. Mexican Hayride (1948) .... Joe Bascom / Humphrey Fish
20. Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) .... Wilbur Grey
... aka Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (USA: alternative title)
... aka Abbott and Costello Meet the Ghosts (UK)
21. The Noose Hangs High (1948) .... Homer Hinchcliffe
22. The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) .... Chester Wooley ... aka The Wistful Widow (UK)
23. Buck Privates Come Home (1947) .... Herbie Brown ... aka Rookies Come Home (UK)
24. The Time of Their Lives (1946) .... Horatio Prim ... aka The Ghost Steps Out
25. Little Giant (1946) .... Benny Miller ... aka On the Carpet (UK)
26. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood (1945) .... Abercrombie
27. The Naughty Nineties (1945) .... Sebastian Dinwiddle
28. Here Come the Co-eds (1945) .... Oliver Quackenbush
29. Lost in a Harem (1944) .... Harvey Garvey
30. In Society (1944) .... Albert Mansfield ... aka Abbott and Costello in Society
31. Hit the Ice (1943) .... Weejie 'Tubby' McCoy ... aka Oh Doctor
32. It Ain't Hay (1943) .... Wilbur Hoolihan ... aka Money for Jam (UK)
33. Who Done It? (1942) .... Mervin Q. Milgrim / Voice of Himself on Radio
34. Pardon My Sarong (1942) .... Wellington Pflug, aka Moola
35. Rio Rita (1942) .... 'Wishy'
36. Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) .... Willoughby
37. Keep 'Em Flying (1941) .... Heathcliff
38. Hold That Ghost (1941) .... Ferdinand 'Ferdie' Jones ... aka Oh, Charlie
39. In the Navy (1941) .... Seaman Pomeroy Watson ... aka Abbott and Costello in the Navy (Australia)
40. Buck Privates (1941) .... Herbie Brown ... aka Rookies (UK)
41. One Night in the Tropics (1940) .... Costello
42. The Cossacks (1928) (uncredited) .... Extra
43. Circus Rookies (1928) (uncredited) .... Extra
44. Rose-Marie (1928) (uncredited) .... Extra
45. The Battle of the Century (1927) (uncredited) .... Boxing Hall extra
46. The Fair Co-Ed (1927) (uncredited) .... Extra
47. The Taxi Dancer (1927) (uncredited) .... Extra
48. Bardelys the Magnificent (1926) (uncredited) .... Extra

The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950)

A musical variety television show that ran on the NBC network from 1950-1955. The show had starred many notable comedians and light entertainers of the era, with Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis as hosts. Several comedians who guest appeared on the show include Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante and Gordon MacRae.

Also Known As:Colgate Summer Comedy Hour (USA) (summer title)
Colgate Variety Hour (USA) (sixth season title)
Michael Todd Revue (USA) (subtitle)
Runtime:60 min
Country:USA
Language:English
Color:Black and White | Color
Aspect Ratio:1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:Mono


Episodes List with Original Air Dates:

The First Season
Date: 9/10/1950
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Yma Sumac, Tommy Wonder, Danny Daniels, and Joseph Buloff, Lew Hearn, Howard Smith, Jack Albertson, Fay McKenzie, Lou Wills Jr., Robert Gari, Val Buttignol and Joy Williams, Helen Wood, Janet Gaylord, Charlotte Fayne, Rudy Tone, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 9/17/1950
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Marilyn Maxwell, The Honeydreamers, Leonard Barr, J. C. McCord, Frank Gallop, William McCutcheon, Jean Carsons, and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.


Date: 9/24/1950
Host: Fred Allen.
Guest Stars: Zachary Solov, Risë Stevens, Monte Woolley, Sono Osato, David Burns, Hugh Laing, Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Parker Fennelly, Peter Donald, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 10/1/1950
Host: Bobby Clark.
Guest Stars: Joan Blondell and Sigmund Romberg.


Date: 10/8/1950
Host:Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 10/15/1950
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Kitty Kallen; The Skylarks; Mayor Ralph Villani of Newark, N.J.; Mayor Walter Sterling of Steubenville, Ohio; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.


Date: 10/22/1950
Host: Fred Allen.
Guest Stars: Portland Hoffa; Parker Fennelly; Ella Logan; Peter Donald; Anthony, Allyn and Hodges; and Mort and Art Havel.


Date: 10/29/1950
Host: Bobby Clark.
Guest Stars: Frances Langford, Mel Allen, Gussie Moran, The Peiro Brothers, and The Albins.


Date: 11/5/1950
Host: Eddie Cantor
Guest Stars: Ida Cantor, Charlie Cantor, Robert Gari, Bil and Cora Baird Marionettes, Fred and Sledge, Lesli Scott, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 11/12/1950
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis
Guest Stars: Kitty Kallen, Leonard Barr, The Skylarks, Sammy Petrillo, De May and Moore, Joyce Randolph, and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.


Date: 11/19/1950
Host: Fred Allen
Guest Stars: H. Allen Smith, Sheila Bond, Billy Tabbert.


Date: 11/26/1950
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Marilyn Maxwell, Jimmy Wakely, Nelson Case, The High Hatters, Judy Kelly, The Taylor Maids, and Les Brown and his Band of Renown.


Date: 12/3/1950
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Jack Albertson, Dick Van Patten, Joe Bushkin, Connie Sawyer, June Keegan, les Zoris, and The Amadis.


Date: 12/10/1950
Title: "Tickets Please!"
Description: A Broadway musical adapted for television by The Colgate Comedy Hour.
Starring: Paul and Grace Hartman, Jack Albertson, Dorothy Jarnac, Tommy Wonder, Mildred Hughes, Patricia Bright, Bill Norvas, The Upstarts, and Warde Donovan.


Date: 12/17/1950
Host: Fred Allen.
Guest Stars: Doc Rockwell, The Christianis, Eileen Farrell, Parker Fennelly, Minerva Pious, Kenny Delmar, Peter Donald, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 12/24/1950
Host: Bob Hope.
Guest Stars: Eleanor Roosevelt, Lily Pons, Robert Cummings, Robert Maxwell, Betty Bruce, B. S. Pully, Mayor Vincent Impellitteri of New York City, Jerry Bergen, Boys' Choir from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Charles Sandford and his Orchestra.


Date: 12/31/1950
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Danny Thomas, Ed Wynn and Sigmund Romberg.


Date: 1/7/1951
Host: Abbott and Costello.
Guest Stars: Evelyn Knight, Hal Le Roy, Patricia Shea, Paul Remos and his Toy Boys, Art and Mort Havel, Jimmy Ford Four, Valerie de Cadenet, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.
Description: Abbott and Costello's first time as hosts. Several comedy routines including their classic: "Who's On First".


Date: 1/14/1951
Host: Jerry Lester.
Guest Stars: Joan Bennett; Fred Allen; Pat O'Brien; Kukla, Fran & Ollie; The Mello-Larks the cast of Broadway Open House: Dagmar; David Street; Jack Adrian; Milton DeLugg; and Wayne Howell.


Date: 1/21/1951
Host: Bobby Clark.
Guest Stars: Julie Wilson; Willie, West and McGinty; The Maxwells; Miriam Wakefield; Bobby Lane and Claire; Jack Mann; Dick Dana; and Tom Jones and his Orchestra.


Date: 1/28/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Lee Fairfax, Basil O'Connor, Dave Powell, Joe Marks, and Estelle Sloan.


Date: 2/4/1951
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Polly Bergen, Mary Ann Niles, Bob Fosse, and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.
Note: Martin & Lewis had not hosted in nearly three months only because they were off in Hollywood making a movie.


Date: 2/11/1951
Host: Spike Jones.
Guest Stars: The City Slickers, George Rock, Sir Frederick Gas, Freddy and Dick Morgan, Bill King, The Wayne Marlin Trio, Lois Ray, Gale Robbins, and Laverne Pearson
Note: There was also a cameo appearance by the Today Show's Dave Garroway and a look at a very young announcer, Mike Wallace.


Date: 2/18/1951
Host: Bobby Clark.
Guest Stars: Basil Rathbone, Sarah Churchill, Walter Abel, Nelson Case, Mary Boland, Fran Warren, and Danny Scholl.


Date: 2/25/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Lena Horne, Jack Albertson, Charlie Cantor, Bil and Cora Baird Marionettes, Landre and Verna, Phil Kramer, Marcia Walter, Chris Barbery, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 3/4/1951
Host: Tony Martin.
Guest Stars: Milton Berle, The Andrews Sisters, and Leonard Sues.


Date: 3/11/1951
Host: Abbott and Costello.
Guest Stars: Lon Chaney Jr.; Sid Fields; Jarmila Novotna; Jesse, James & Carnell; Milton Frome; Ann Thomas; Gregg Sherwood; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 3/18/1951
Host: Beatrice Lillie.
Guest Stars: Rex Harrison, Wally Cox, Nelson Case, Jean Sablon, Valerie Bettis.


Date: 3/25/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Jimmy Durante, Eddie Jackson, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 4/1/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Eddie Fisher, Joel Grey, William Warfield, Evelyn Gould, Gehrig and Weismuller, Tony and Eddy, and Michell Auclair.


Date: 4/8/1951
Host: Bob Hope.
Guest Stars: Rex Harrison, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Cantor, Ed Wynn, Jimmy Durante, Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Lilli Palmer, Janis Paige, Arthur Treacher, Frank "Sugar Chile" Robinson, Tex and Jinx McCrary, Faye Emerson, Ken Murray, and Toots Shor.


Date: 4/15/1951
Host: Tony Martin.
Guest Stars: Celeste Holm, Fred Allen, Peanuts Hucko, Kathryn Lee, Richard Loo, Lynn Loring, Art & Mort Havel, Joe Silver, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 4/22/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Anne Jeffreys, Charlie Cantor, Robert Gari, Gehrig and Weismuller, Hal Loman, and Joan Field.


Date: 4/29/1951
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Helen O'Connell, Bob Fosse & Mary Ann Niles, Ladd Lyon, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra, and announcer: Mike Wallace.


Date: 5/6/1951
Host: Phil Silvers.
Guest Stars: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Vivian Blaine, Joey Faye, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 5/13/1951
Host: Beatrice Lillie.
Guest Stars: Victor Moore, Wally Cox, Dick Haymes, Harold Lang, and Helen Gallagher.


Date: 5/20/1951
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Jane Morgan, Bob Fosse and Mary Ann Niles, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra, and a cameo appearance by Eddie Cantor.


Date: 5/27/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Eddie Fisher, Joel Grey, William Warfield, Connie Haines, Charlie Cantor, Herbert Coleman, Monsieur Crayone, Lou Wills Jr., and Joe Silver.


Date: 6/3/1951
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Sonny King, The DeMarco Sisters, The Johnny Conrad Dancers, Danny Arnold, Tommy Farrell, Rosette Shaw, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra, and a cameo appearance by Tony Curtis.


Date: 6/10/1951
Host: Jackie Gleason.
Guest Stars: Fred Allen, Joan Carroll, and Vivian Blaine.


Date: 6/17/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Milton Berle, Jack Leonard, Dagmar, Phil Foster, and Junie Keegan.
Note: Eddie Cantor's wife Ida and daughter Marilyn appeared as did Milton Berle's daughter Vicki!


Date: 6/24/1951
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Janis Paige, Danny Arnold, The Johnny Conrad Dancers, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra and a cameo appearance by Tony Martin and Joe Louis.


The Second Season
Date: 9/2/1951
Host: Jackie Gleason.
Guest Stars: Johnny Johnston, Rose Marie, Esther Junger Dancers, Al Goodman and his Orchestra, and a cameo by appearance by Eddie Cantor.


Date: 9/9/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Cesar Romero, Barbara Ashley, Stanley Prager, Bill Gray, dancers Jimmy Russell and Aura Vainio, Siri, Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 9/16/1951
Host: Spike Jones.
Guest Stars: Jan Peerce, The City Slickers, Helen Grayco, The Wayne Marlin Trio.


Date: 9/23/1951
Host: Ezio Pinza
Guest Stars: Milton Berle, Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney, Martha Wright, Colette Marchand


Date: 9/30/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Judy Kelly, Martin Freed and Ernie Stewart, Sid Fields, Jack Slattery, Al Goodman and his Orchestra; Ida Cantor (Cameo)


Date: 10/7/1951
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Ed Wynn, Arlene Dahl, Effie O'Connor, Douglas Fowley, Walter Catlett.


Date: 10/14/1951
Hosts: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Guest Stars: Gale Storm, Phil Regan


Date: 10/21/1951
Host: Jack Carson
Guest Stars: Robert Alda, Betty Garrett, The Honey Brothers, Dean Elliott and his Orchestra


Date: 10/28/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Cesar Romero, Sheilah Graham, Verna Felton, The Caprino Sisters, Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 11/4/1951
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Danny Arnold and Dorothy Dandridge, Bob and Eddie Mayo, Donald MacBride, Marion Marshall, Jimmy Wallington, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.


Date: 11/11/1951
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Harpo Marx, Yvonne DeCarlo and Roger Price, Sid Miller, Pat Patrick, Gale Robbins.


Date: 11/18/1951
Host: Abbott and Costello.
Guest Stars: Louis Armstrong, George Raft, Rosette Shaw, The Pied Pipers, Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 11/25/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Cesar Romero and Eddie Fisher, Betty Graham.


Date: 12/2/1951
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Eddie Bracken, Marilyn Maxwell, Bob Crosby, Georgie Price, Toni Arden, Frank Faylen, Billy Daniel and Lita Baron, The Skylarks, Wally Blair, Joe Mole, Sid Marion, Pat C. Flick, The Rio Brothers, Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 12/9/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Larry Blake, Tom D'Andrea, Nillson Twins and Norman Brown.


Date: 12/16/1951
Host: Jack Paar
Guest Stars: Alan Young, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Trigger, The Whippoorwills, Carmen Miranda, The Three Stooges


Date: 12/23/1951
Host: Eddie Cantor. Christmas Special
Guest Stars: Farley Granger, Bobby Breen, Sharon Baird, Stuffy Singer.


Date: 12/30/1951
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Ray Malone, Danny Arnold and Eve Young, Margaret Dumont, Mike Mazurki, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.


Date: 1/6/1952
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Harpo Marx, Sid Miller, Pat Patrick and Gale Robbins.


Date: 1/13/1952
Host: Abbott and Costello.
Guest Stars: Rhonda Fleming, Errol Flynn and Bruce Cabot, Sid Fields, Joe Kirk, The Pied Pipers George Raft (Cameo).


Date: 1/20/1952
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: UCLA Swing Choir, Doris Singleton, Shirley Mitchell, Sharon Baird, Adele Jergens, Robert Clary, Michael Ross, Arthur Q. Bryan, Dave Alpert, Esther Dale, Robert Osterloh, Gil Herman, Al Goodman and his Orchestra and Kirk Douglas (Cameo).


Date: 1/27/1952
Host: Danny Thomas.
Guest Star: Dorothy Lamour.


Date: 2/3/1952
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Kay Starr, Ben Blue, Donna O'Connor, Corinne Calvet, Gwen Carter, Sid Miller, Frank Nelson, Bobbie Martin, Sid Slate, Jimmy Cross, Marie Cochran, Scatman Crothers, Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 2/10/1952
Hosts: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
Guest Stars: Ray Malone, Jill Jarmon, Danny Arnold, Sheldon Leonard, Mike Mazurki, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra; cameo by writer Norman Lear


Date: 2/17/1952
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Sammy Davis Jr., Reggie Rymal, Dorothy Singleton, Sharon Baird and The Will Mastin Trio.


Date: 2/24/1952
Host: Danny Thomas
Guest Stars: Carmen Miranda, Grace Hartman, The Beatrice Kraft Dancers, Bunny Lewbell


Date: 3/2/1952
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Buster Keaton, Broderick Crawford, Cecil Kellaway, Eddie Gribbon, Sid Miller and Patricia Morrison


Date: 3/9/1952
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Anna Maria Alberghetti, Martha Stewart, Georgie Tapps, Les Brown and his Band of Reknown


Date: 3/16/1952
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Will Mastin Trio , Dorothy Kirsten, Mabel Butterworth, Harry Von Zell and Sharon Baird.


Date: 3/23/1952
Host: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Tommy Wonder, Danny Lewis (Jerry's Dad!), Margaret Banks, Danny Arnold, Elizabeth Root, Gail Bonney, Peter Votrian, Harvey Dunn, Ruth Dazzo, Sarah Bacon, Linda Williams, Evelyn Lovequist, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra and a Cameo by Ed Simmons and Norman Lear.


Date: 3/30/1952
Host: Tony Martin.
Guest Stars: Harpo, Chico Marx, Kay Starr, St. Paul Choir, Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 4/6/1952
Hosts: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Guest Stars: Charles Laughton, Isabel Bigley, Sid Fields, Joe Kirk, Milton Frome, Bobby Barber, Jill Kraft, Anita Anton, Alex Fossell, Helen Donaldson, Johnny Conrad and his Dancers, Three Beaus and a Peep, Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 4/13/1952
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Joe E. Brown, Constance Moore, Dave Barry, Sharon Baird and the Los Gatos Trio.


Date: 4/20/1952
Host: Donald 0'Connor.
Guest Stars: Andy Devine, Mindy Carson, Ben Blue and Sid Miller.


Date: 4/27/1952
Hosts: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
Guests: Kitty Kallen, Danny Arnold, Harvey Wheelwick, Jack Fisher, Jack George, Peter Votrian, The Four Step Brothers and Lee Erickson


Date: 5/4/1952 Hosts: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Guests: Vera Zorina, Tony Bavaar, Monique Van Vooren, "Sport" Morgan, The Ashtons, Sid Fields, dancer Gemze de Lappe, Joe Kirk, Bobby Barber, Jean Cleveland, Charlie Bollinder, Three Beaus and a Peep and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 5/11/1952
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Hedy Lamarr, Scatman Crothers, Martha Tilton, Tom D'Andrea and Hal March, Al Goodman and his Orchestra, Sid Miller and Tony Dexter.


Date: 5/18/1952
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Cesar Romero, Rusty Draper and The Szonys.


Date: 5/25/1952
Host: Ben Blue
Guest Stars: Peggy Lee, Ann Sheridan, The Step Brothers, The Whipporwills, Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 6/1/1952
Host: Herb Shriner
Guest Stars: Lily Pons, The Borrah Minevitch Harmonica Rascals with Johnny Puleo.


Date: 6/8/1952
Host: Eddie Cantor
Guest Stars: Pat O'Brien, Ida Cantor, Kay Starr, Harry Von Zell.


Date: 6/15/1952
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Paul Douglas, singer June Hutton, dancer Johnny Mack, Randy Merriman and Bess Myerson, Les Brown's Band of Renown


The Third Season
Date: 9/21/1952
Host: Dean Martin and Jerrry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Rosemary Clooney, Danny Arnold, Sara Berner, Harvey Birdbox, Harry Lang, Elsie Baker, Joeseph Waring, George Millan, Byron Kane and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra


Date: 9/28/1952
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Dorothy Lamour, Will Mastin Trio and Eddie Fisher, Sammy Davis Jr., Sharon Baird, Tom D'Andrea and Henry Slate, Sid Fields, Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 10/12/1952
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Fred MacMurray, Connie Haines, The Clark Brothers and Les Brown and his Band of Reknown


Date: 10/19/1952
Hosts: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Guest Stars: Lizabeth Scott, Gisele MacKenzie, The Four Pipers, Les Dassie, Dudley Dickerson, Milt Bronson, Bobby Barber, Sid Fields and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 10/26/1952
Host: Donald O'Connor
Guest Stars: Ben Blue, Broderick Crawford, Scatman Crothers, Lisa Kirk, Sid Miller, Andy Clyde, Chester Conklin, Eddie Gribbon and Al Goodman and his Orchestra
Description: This episode was originally supposed to be broadcast on 10/5/1952 but NBC engineers went on strike right before air time, causing this episode to only be seen in the Los Angeles area. It was kinescoped (recorded on 16mm film) and broadcast to the rest of the nation at this time


Date: 11/2/1952
Host: Judy Canova
Guest Stars: Zsa Zsa Gabor, Cesar Romero, Liberace, Carl Ravazza, Hans Conreid, The Lancers, Charles Dent and his Orchestra


Date: 11/9/1952
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Rosemary Clooney, Bill Goodwin, The Step Brothers and Les Brown and his Band of Reknown


Date: 11/16/1952
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Ann Sheridan and The Bell Sisters


Date: 11/23/1952
Hosts: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Guest Stars: Peggy Lee, dancers Fisher and Ross and acrobats The Shaller Brothers


Date: 11/30/1952
Hosts: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
Guest Stars: Kitty Kallen, Robert Strauss, Danny Arnold, Peppy Mano, Goldcup and Bird, Rose Plumer, Max Palmer, Joan Shawlee, Byron Kane, Joseph Leon, Steve Calvert and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra


Date: 12/7/1952
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Tony Martin and Frances Langford


Date: 12/14/1952
Host: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Guest Stars: Margaret Whiting, The Nicholas Brothers, dancers Buster Shaver and Olive, acrobats Tom and Jerry, The Four Pipers, Sid Fields, Dorothy Granger, The Hollywood Stunt Group, Gordon Jones, Jack Lomas, Bobby Barber and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 12/21/1952
Host: Ray Bolger.
Guest Stars: Rise Stevens, Betty Kean and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 12/28/1952
Host: Ben Blue
Guest Stars: Phil Harris, Hedy Lamarr, Peggy Lee, Donald O'Connor (Cameo) and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 1/4/1953
Host: Bob Hope.
Guest Stars: Bing Crosby, Marilyn Maxwell and Don Cherry.


Date: 1/11/1953
Hosts: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Guest Stars: Victor Borge, Gisele MacKenzie, Grace Hartman, Allan Jones, Sid Fields, Harry Lang, The Four Pipers, Bobby Barber, R. J. Otis and Abner, The Hollywood Stunt Group


Date: 1/18/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Dinah Shore, Joel Grey, The Tokayers and Aronld Stang.


Date: 1/25/1953
Host: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Tony Martin, Joe Louis, Ray Malone, Connie Russell, Danny Arnold, Ira Grossel, Bernie Schwartz, Peppy Willow, Ralph Stantley, Ladd Lyon, Pat Shay, Gordon B. Clark, Ruth Saville and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.


Date: 2/1/1953
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Nelson Eddy, Margaret Whiting, Marion Colby, Bob Sweeney, Monte Montano and The Blackburn Twins


Date: 2/8/1953
Host: Ben Blue
Guest Stars: June Havoc, Bob Crosby, Mimi Benzell, Sid Fields, Snag Werris and The Sportsmen


Date: 2/15/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Frank Loesser, Billy Daniels, Connie Russell, Tom D'Andrea and Hal March, Sara Berner, Sharon Baird, Danny Richards, Frank Jenks, Ben Wrigley, Ray Kellogg, Sid Fields and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 2/22/1953
Hosts: The Ritz Brothers
Guest Stars: Jack Webb, Kay Starr, Corinne Calvet, Coleen Gray and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 3/1/1953
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: George Jessel, Constance Moore and Robert Alda


Date: 3/8/1953
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Hedy Lamarr, Cecil Kellaway, Marilyn Maxwell, Sid Miller, Tom D'Andrea and Hal March


Date: 3/15/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: George Jessel, Harry Ruby, Billy Daniels, Danny Richards Jr., Sharon Baird, Bob Sweeney, Connie Russell and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 3/22/1953
Hosts: Bob Hope, Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Abbott & Costello and Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Sid Miller


Date: 3/29/1953
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Rosemary Clooney, The Bell Sisters and a cameo by Mickey Rooney


Date: 4/5/1953
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Vivian Blaine, Brian Aherne, Tony Dexter, Sid Miller, Tom D'Andrea and Hal March, Scatman Crothers and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 4/12/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Connie Russell, Gloria Grahame, The Will Mastin Trio, The Billy Daniel Dancers, Al Goodman and his Orchestra and a cameo by Ned Washington and Dimitri Tiomkin


Date: 4/19/1953
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Phil Harris, Marilyn Maxwell, Les Brown and his Band of Reknown


Date: 4/26/1953
Hosts: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Guest Stars: Hoagy Carmichael, Teresa Brewer, The Four Pipers, The Amin Brothers, Sid Fields, Michael Ross, Jack Lomas, Sherry Morland, Evelynne D'Smith, Sid Marion, Bobby Barber and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 5/3/1953
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Mary McCarty, Benny Rubin, Sheldon Leonard, Danny Arnold, Fay McKenzie, Sol Seeltime, Wheel, Bird & Wheel, Phil Tead, Frank Nelson, Jack Kruschen, Donald Lawton and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.


Date: 5/10/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Jan Pearce, Billy Daniels, Connie Russell, Si Milano, Nancy Crompton, John Robertson, Mel Blanc (Voice) and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 5/17/1953
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Nelson Eddy, Thomas L. Thomas, Beatrice Kay, Sid Miller, Tom D'Andrea and Hal March


Date: 5/24/1953
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Don McNeill, Gloria De Haven, Rocky Marciano and The De Castro Sisters


Date: 5/31/1953
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Jimmy Durante, George Raft, Patty Lewis (Jerry's wife!), Danny Arnold, The Four Step Brothers, Sue Bird, Sylvia Seep, Jimmy Little, Marcia Walters, a cameo by Tony Curtis / Janet Leigh and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra


Date: 6/7/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Jack Benny, Dinah Shore, George Jessel, Ida Cantor, Jimmy Wallington, Ralph Edwards, Billy Daniel, Billy Daniel, Lita Baron, Mel Blanc (Voice), Ciro the Chimp with his owner Herman Hover, Ticker Freeman, The Notables and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 6/14/1953
Host: Bob Hope
Guest Stars: Frankie Laine, Rosemary Clooney, Bess Myerson and Randy Merriman


The Fourth Season
Date: 10/4/1953
Host: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Burt Lancaster, The Skylarks, Sidney Sillman, Fay McKenzie, Peter Leeds, Eddie Ryder, Byron Kane, Marc Platt, Irving Kaye, Frankie Branda, Suzanne Ames, Dona Cole, Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.


Date: 10/11/1953
Host: Jimmy Durante
Guest Stars: John Wayne, Eddie Jackson, Jack Roth, Jules Buffano, Candy Candido, Roy Bargy and his Orchestra and The Harold Stern Strings


Date: 10/18/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Jack Benny, Billy Daniels, Connie Russell, Sheldon Leonard, Rex Ramer, Sandra Gould, Peter Leeds, Jack Boyle, Mike Ross and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.


Date: 10/25/1953
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Lauren Bacall, Elaine Stewart, Joanne Gilbert, Sid Miller, Tom D'Andrea and Hal March and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 11/1/1953
Host: Bud Abbott
Guest Stars: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, Peggy Lee, The Pied Pipers, Gene Nelson, Jimmy Thompson, Pat Horn and Al Goodman and his Orchestra


Date: 11/8/1953
Host: Jimmy Durante
Guest Stars: Frank Sinatra, Hy Averback, The Gay Tyroliers, Eddie Jackson, The Mad Hatters, Jules Buffano, Jack Roth, Jackie Barnett, Wanda Smith's Cover Girls, Jan Arvan, Charles Smith, Allen Henderson and Roy Bargy and his Orchestra


Date: 11/15/1953
Host: Martha Raye
Guest Stars: Cesar Romero, Irene Dunne and Rocky Graziano


Date: 11/22/1953
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Ralph Bellamy, Dorothy Dandridge and Corrine Calvet. First episode broadcast in color.


Date: 11/29/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Frank Sinatra, Eddie Fisher, Brian Donlevy and Connie Russell.


Date: 12/20/1953
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: Charles Coburn and Donna O'Connor.


Date: 12/27/1953
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Jimmy Durante, Dennis Day, George Gobel and Donald O'Connor.


Date: 1/10/1954
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: The Mondernaires, Franklin Pangborn, Duke Art Jr. and Birdie Brickerbrack.


Date: 1/31/1954
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Celebration for Eddie Cantor's 62nd birthday. Groucho Marx, Wally Cox, Billy Daniel, Marilyn Cantor, Ricky Vera and Connie Russell.


Date: 2/14/1954
Host: Donald O'Connor.
Guest Stars: George Prentice and Beatrice Kay.


Date: 2/28/1954
Show Title: "Anything Goes"
Starring: Ethel Merman, Frank Sinatra, Sheree North and Bert Lahr.


Date: 3/7/1954
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: William Holden, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn.


Date: 3/28/1954
Host: Abbott & Costello.
Guest Stars: Les Paul, "The Pied Pipers", Mary Ford and Janik & Arnaut.


Date: 4/4/1954
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Daryl F. Zanuck, Billy Daniels, Connie Russell.


Date: 4/18/1954
Host: Abbott and Costello.
Guest Stars: Jane Russell, Rhonda Fleming, Connie Haines, Nestor Paiva, Beryl Davis, Jim Hayward and Benny Rubin.


Date: 5/16/1954
Host: Eddie Cantor.
Guest Stars: Eddie Fisher, Milton Berle, Connie Russell.


Date: 5/17/1954
Host: Rhonda Fleming and Gordon MacRae.
Guest Stars: Dwight Eisenhower.


Date: ?/?/1954
Host: Sammy Davis Jr.
Guest Stars: Don Wilson, "The Will Maston Trio", "The Gaylords", Jay Lawrence, Gene Sheldon and Connie Russell.


Date: ?/?/1954
Host: Eddie Fisher.
Guest Stars: Louis Armstrong, Rocky Marciano and Peggy Lee.


Date: ?/?/1954
Host: Sonia Henie.
Guest Stars: Keefe Brasselle and Gene Wesson.


Date: ?/?/1954
Host: Jimmy Durante.
Guest Stars: Frank Sinatra.


Date: ?/?/1954
Host: Abbott and Costello.


Date: 10/24/1954
Show Title: "Revenge With Music."
Starring: Harpo Marx, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Ray Middleton, Edward Everett Horton, Ilona Massey and Jerry Colonna.
Description: Made for TV Musical.


Date: 11/21/1954
Show Title: "Lets Face It"
Starring: Vivian Blaine, Bert Lahr, Gene Nelson and Jimmy Gleason.
Description: Made for TV Musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Cameo appearances by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.


Date: 12/19/1954
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Vera Miles, Milton Frome, Margery Maude, Hawke Mann, Silvia Hickle, Marvin Middlebird, and "The Nick Castle Dancers".


Date: 2/6/1955
Host: Bobby Van.


Date: 4/10/1955
Show Title: "Roberta"
Starring: Gordon MaCrae.
Description: Made for TV Musical.


Date: 11/13/1955
Host: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.
Guest Stars: Margaret Dumont, Mike Mazurki.


Date: 12/25/1955
Host: Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians.
Description: The Final Colgate Comedy Hour.

The Abbott and Costello Show: 100th Anniversary Collection, Season Two [5 Discs]

Description by Bruce Eder

This 5-disc set of the second season of The Abbott & Costello Show holds up surprisingly well. Usually regarded as the lesser of the series' two seasons, the 26-episode second season still has more than its share of laughs, as one is constantly reminded even 50+ years after they first aired; the direction by Jean Yarbrough is astonishingly consistent, considering what had to have been the rushed pace of the production, and the Costello family, which owns the program, has retrieved generally excellent quality materials for this release. Equally important, the episodes have been transferred here about as well as they ever have been or are likely ever to be; there are some minor flaws (missing frames etc.) and digital anomalies, but generally the full-screen (1.33-to-1) image looks astonishingly sharp and clean, and is so crisp that Lou Costello's trademark checked coat shimmers in some shots. Each disc opens up automatically to a simple, entertaining, and easy-to-use menu offering quick access to the episodes, each of which has a single chapter reference number. The bonus materials are confined to disc five, but there are plenty of them and fans of the two comedians will want to spend lots of time looking at them -- some of the extra features, such as one film short and a clip of the duo's "Who's On First" routine, are repeated from the first volume, but most of the bonus section is comprised of further interview material with Costello's surviving daughters, Chris and Paddy, augmented with family films (in color) and nicely broken down by chapter and subject. Their recollections of their father, including his flaws (he dismissed one key member of the duo's film production team from their TV show because the man refused to sign a loyalty oath), are most revealing and paint a much fuller and more accurate picture of the man than most of us have previously visualized. Their memories of Bud Abbott are equally fascinating, although one heartily wishes that a member of Abbott's family were represented here as well (they make a point of saying that the two families have remained close). The release offers far more than the previous Shanachie editions of the series (which were also far more expensive), for those who wish to deepen their enjoyment and appreciation of the work of these two very funny men.
Features

* Chris & Paddy Costello interviews! (part two)
* Lou Costello's home movies! (part two)
* Complete 7-minute "Who's on First" routine!
* Special encore presentation of lost 1948 short "10,000 Kids & a Cop"!

This Set Contains;

* 10,000 Kids and a Cop (1948)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Who's on First?
* Abbott and Costello Show: The Tax Return (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Uncle Bozzo's Visit (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Cheap Skates (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: The Pigeon (1954)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Uncle From New Jersey (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Wife Wanted
* Abbott and Costello Show: $1000 TV Prize (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: The Paperhangers (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: In Society (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Life Insurance (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Pest Exterminators (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Killer's Wife (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: South of Dixie (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: From Bed to Worse (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Amnesia (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Efficiency Experts (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Car Trouble (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Private Eye (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Public Enemies (1953)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Bank Hold Up (1954)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Well Oiled (1954)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Honeymoon House (1954)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Fencing Master (1954)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Beauty Contest Story (1954)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Fall Guy (1954)
* Abbott and Costello Show: Barber Lou (1954)

Working On New Links

Abbott & Costello Full Biography and Filmography

Abbott & Costello were the last of the great comedy teams. Their career spanned 21 years…from burlesque, to Broadway, to radio, to films and finally to, television.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello officially teamed up in 1936. Bud was regarded as one of the best and sought after straightmen on the burlesque circuit. Born William Alexander Abbott on October 2, 1895 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Bud’s early career in show business began in 1918 when he was a treasurer of the National Theatre, a burlesque house in Washington, DC. It was here where Bud met his wife, Jenny Mae Pratt, whose stage name was Betty Smith.

Lou Costello was born Louis Francis Cristillo on March 6, 1906 in Paterson, N.J. Wanting to try his luck in Hollywood, Lou found sparse work as a laborer and an extra at MGM in 1927. He appeared in the boxing sequence of Laurel & Hardy’s “Battle of the Century” (1927) and in the Delores Del Rio 1928 epic “Trails of 98.”


Abbott and Costello

Abbott & Costello were the last of the great comedy teams. Their career spanned 21 years…from burlesque, to Broadway, to radio, to films and finally to, television.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello officially teamed up in 1936. Bud was regarded as one of the best and sought after straightmen on the burlesque circuit. Born William Alexander Abbott on October 2, 1895 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Bud’s early career in show business began in 1918 when he was a treasurer of the National Theatre, a burlesque house in Washington, DC. It was here where Bud met his wife, Jenny Mae Pratt, whose stage name was Betty Smith.

Lou Costello was born Louis Francis Cristillo on March 6, 1906 in Paterson, N.J. Wanting to try his luck in Hollywood, Lou found sparse work as a laborer and an extra at MGM in 1927. He appeared in the boxing sequence of Laurel & Hardy’s “Battle of the Century” (1927) and in the Delores Del Rio 1928 epic “Trails of 98.”

By the time Lou worked his way back to the east coast, Bud Abbott was already a successful straightman in burlesque. Although Lou had his designs on becoming a dramatic actor, he worked as a Dutch comic in St. Joseph, Missouri at $16.00 a week in order to make his way back to N.J. Once home, he continued pursuing burlesque jobs and for awhile worked as a dancing juvenile in Ann Corio’s “This Is Burlesque.” It was in this show that he met his future wife, Anne Battler and whom he married in 1934.

Although one can find many stories that claim to document the teaming up of Abbott & Costello, the most familiar is that of Lou’s straightman getting sick and Lou asking Bud, also on the bill, if he would step in. Subsequently, history was made that night at a Brooklyn burlesque house in 1936 and the team of Abbott & Costello was born.

The first couple of years of their partnership were rather lean ones, but the turning point came when Ted Collins, manager for Kate Smith, asked if they would appear on the “Kate Smith Radio Show.” They signed as summer replacements and proved to be a great success. Following, they signed to appear in Mike Todd’s Broadway show, “Streets of Paris” and which also featured another newcomer, Carmen Miranda. Returning to radio, it was their performance of a new routine they had written in collaboration with their comedy writer, John Grant, that catapulted them to Hollywood and to stardom. Today, WHO’S ON FIRST has become their classic signature skit and most well-remembered of the Abbott &Costello routines.

Signed by Universal Pictures in 1939, their first film was a “test run” to see how well Abbott & Costello would go over to theatre going audiences. “One Night in the Tropics” was an Alan Jones, Nancy Kelly film, however, the studio kept shooting more and more footage of Abbott & Costello due to reports from the set that the crew could barely contain themselves from laughing. It was the perfect springboard for the boys and a giant success at the box office. Universal realized they had a prime commodity with this comedic duo and immediately set the wheels in motion for Abbott & Costello to star in their next film, “Buck Privates.”

Bud and Lou made a succession of box office hits for Universal and were voted #1 box office stars in 1942 --- “In the Navy,” “Keep ‘Em Flying,” “Hold That Ghost,” “ Who Done It?” and “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein,” today a cult classic amongst Abbott &Costello fans, kept the gates of Universal open at a time when Universal was considered a B studio. In all, Bud and Lou made 36 films, their last being “Dance With Me Henry” in 1957.

Returning to radio between films, “The Abbott & Costello Show” aired on ABC from 1941-46 and on NBC from 1946-49.

The live stage was where Abbott & Costello thrived. In the early 1950’s, NBC welcomed Bud and Lou to their new hour long live variety show, “The Colgate Comedy Hour” as guest hosts. Debuting on January 7, 1951, Abbott & Costello boosted the show’s ratings as they performed their staple of routines, including the still popular and in demand, “Who’s On First.”

In 1956, one year before the release of their last film, “Dance With Me Henry, “ and the dissolving of their partnership, Bud and Lou were brought together on “Steve Allen Show” before a live audience and nationwide broadcast. The emotion was heightened when unbeknownst to both man, Steve Allen announced the induction of Abbott & Costello’s Gold Record in Cooperstown, N.Y. Today, Bud and Lou are still the first non-baseball playing celebrities to have such a work inducted.

Lou Costello passed away in March of 1959, followed by Bud Abbott in 1974. Today, their comedy continues to generate a whole new legion of fans from around the world. When “Abbott & Costello Meets Jerry Seinfeld” aired on NBC in 1994, Seinfeld contributed this thought. “If it weren’t for Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, many of the vaudeville and burlesque routines would have been lost forever. It was through Abbott & Costello’s films and television show appearances, as well as on radio, that will forever preserve them for generations to come.


Abbott & Costello
Official Website
Filmography (1940-1965)

Year / Movie / Lou Costello Role / Bud Abbott Role / Notes

1940 One Night in the Tropics Costello Abbott Film Debut
1941 Buck Privates Herbie Brown Slicker Smith
1941 In the Navy Pomeroy Watson Smokey Adams
1941 Hold That Ghost Ferdinand Jones Chuck Murray
1941 Keep 'Em Flying Heathcliffe Blackie Benson
1942 Ride 'Em Cowboy Willoughby Duke
1942 Rio Rita Wishy Dunn Doc
1942 Pardon My Sarong Wellington Phlug Algy Shaw
1942 Who Done It? Mervyn Milgrim Chick Larkin
1943 It Ain't Hay Wilbur Hoolihan Grover Mickridge
1943 Hit The Ice Tubby McCoy Flash Fulton
1944 In Society Albert Mansfield Eddie Harrington
1944 Lost in a Harem Harvey Garvey Peter Johnson
1945 Here Come the Co-Eds Oliver Quackenbush Slats McCarthy
1945 The Naughty Nineties Sebastian Dinwiddie Dexter Broadhurst
*Who's On First? From this film is featured at the National Baseball Hall of Fame
1945 Abbott and Costello in Hollywood Abercrombie Buzz Kurtis
1946 Little Giant Benny Miller John Morrison/Tom Chandler
1946 The Time of Their Lives Horatio Prim Cuthbert/Dr. Greenway
1947 Buck Privates Come Home Herbie Brown Slicker Smith Sequel to Buck Privates
1947 The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap Chester Wooley Duke Egan
1948 The Noose Hangs High Tommy Hinchcliffe Ted Higgins
1948 Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Wilbur Gray Chick Young
1948 Mexican Hayride Joe Bascom/Humphrey Fish Harry Lambert
1949 Africa Screams Stanley Livington Buzz Johnson
1949 Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff Freddie Phillips Casey Edwards
1950 Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion Lou Hotchkiss Bud Jones
1951 Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man Lou Francis Bud Alexander
1951 Comin' Round the Mountain Wilbert Smith Al Stewart
1952 Jack and the Beanstalk Jack Mr. Dinklepuss In sepia and color
1952 Lost in Alaska George Bell Tom Watson
1952 Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd Oliver "Puddin' Head" Johnson Rocky Stonebridge In color
1953 Abbott and Costello Go to Mars Orville Lester
1953 Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Tubby Slim
1955 Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops Willie Piper Harry Pierce
1955 Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy
*Costello (erroneously listed in the film as "Freddie Franklin")
*Abbott (erroneously listed in the film as "Pete Patterson")
1956 Dance with Me, Henry! Lou Henry Bud Flick Their final film
1959 The 30-Foot Bride of Candy Rock Artie Pinsetter - Lou Costello only
1965 The World of Abbott and Costello - - Compilation film

thanks

Thanks for the post.

Thank you for these classics.

Thank You