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54-581: Abbott and Costello performed a one-hour radio adaptation of the film on the Lux Radio Theatre on October 13, 1941. Slicker Smith and Herbie Brown are sidewalk peddlers who hawk neckties out of a suitcase. Chased by a cop, they duck into a movie theater, not realizing that it is now being used as an Army enlistment center. Believing that they are signing up for theater prizes, they accidentally enlist. Meanwhile, spoiled playboy Randolph Parker and his long-suffering valet, Bob Martin, also report to

108-535: A Lux presentation. Fred Allen , Jack Benny (with and without his wife, Mary Livingstone ), and George Burns and Gracie Allen were also among the other radio stars who were invited to do Lux presentations. Lux Radio Theatre once presented an adaptation of the film version of a radio series, The Life of Riley , featuring William Bendix as the Brooklyn-born, California-transplanted, stumbling but bighearted aircraft worker he already made famous in

162-702: A Solid Four" also features one of the more famous Lindy Hop dance sequences of the swing era . Many dancers from Los Angeles, including Dean Collins , Jewel McGowan , Ray Hirsch, and Patty Lacey, are featured. This film was released on VHS and Beta in 1983, then re-released on VHS in 1989 and again in 1991. It has been released three times on DVD, first as single DVD on April 1, 1998 OCLC   44543569 , and later as part of two different Abbott and Costello collections. The first time, on The Best of Abbott and Costello Volume One , on February 10, 2004, and again on October 28, 2008 as part of Abbott and Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection . A Blu-ray edition

216-483: A comedy team that should win wide popularity." The film received two Academy Award nominations in 1941. Hughie Prince and Don Raye were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for " Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy " and Charles Previn was nominated for the Academy Award for Original Music Score (Scoring of a Musical Picture). Japan used this film as propaganda to demonstrate to its own troops

270-472: A ghost. Two detectives show up, but vanish soon after starting their investigation. While Ferdie examines a map to find the quickest route back to town, candles on the table move mysteriously and scare him. Ferdie inadvertently discovers Moose's treasure hidden inside the stuffed moose head above the fireplace. A disgruntled member of Moose's gang appears and demands the money at gunpoint. The boys manage to knock him out, but other gang members appear. Chuck and

324-408: A half of uproarious monkeyshines. Army humor isn't apt to be subtle and neither are Abbott and Costello. Their antics have as much innuendo as a 1,000-pound bomb but nearly as much explosive force." The reviewer for Variety wrote: "Geared at a zippy pace, and providing lusty and enthusiastic comedy of the broadest slapstick, Buck Privates is a hilarious laugh concoction that will click solidly in

378-441: A hostess. Meanwhile, Smitty and Herbie accept Collins' invitation to shoot dice, but Herbie ends up (literally) losing his pants. Buck Privates was filmed from December 13, 1940, through January 11, 1941. It was originally budgeted at $ 233,000 over 20 days; in the end it was $ 12,000 over budget and four days over schedule. The film was originally conceived as a straight military story with Lee Bowman, Alan Curtis, and Jane Frazee in

432-453: A low-priced "B" feature, rented to theaters for a flat fee instead of a percentage of the ticket sales. This became an embarrassing mistake when the film went on to become Universal's biggest moneymaker of the year, grossing over $ 4 million at the box office at a time when movie tickets averaged 25 cents. Because of the flat-fee rentals, the studio had surrendered much of the profits to the theaters. Universal began promoting Abbott and Costello as

486-435: A major attraction, and from then on sold their films as "A" features commanding higher prices and profits. Universal gave director Lubin, who was under contract at a fixed salary, a $ 5,000 bonus and told him to start on another film, Hold That Ghost . Lubin directed five Abbott and Costello films in ten months. The film received positive reviews from critics. Theodore Strauss of The New York Times called it "an hour and

540-457: A plot" than Buck Privates . "It was more or less straight comedy." As the film was nearing completion, Buck Privates became one of Universal 's all-time biggest hits. Oh, Charlie ' s release was delayed so that the studio could hastily make and release a second Abbott and Costello service comedy, In the Navy . Universal then put Oh, Charlie back into production in mid-May to append

594-462: A romantic triangle, and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello offering comedy relief, as they had in their previous film One Night in the Tropics . When it became clear that Abbott and Costello were really the focal point of Buck Privates , they became the stars of the film. The "cast of characters" credits, after the end title, were filmed before the emphasis was shifted to Abbott and Costello, so Lee Bowman

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648-484: A scene. Ferdie dreams of having his own nightclub one day. Back at the service station, gangster "Moose" Mattson, brings his car in for gas and cleaning. When he is spotted by the police, he speeds off with Chuck and Ferdie trapped inside the vehicle. During the chase, Matson trades shots with the police and is killed. According to the gangster's unconventional will, whoever was with Matson when he died will inherit his estate. The boys are bequeathed Mattson's rundown tavern,

702-567: Is "Spit in the Bush".'... And they would have to act it for me and show it what it was. The entire first script was a series of titled gags. I would just say 'We'll take a close up here and a two shot here'. I never interfered. There were was nothing I could do because these were tried and true old burlesque things that they and their forefathers and their forefathers, probably since the Greek period, had done." Director Arthur Lubin recalled, "The studio

756-425: Is an expert marksman, Randolph skips an army shooting match in order to spend the afternoon with Judy. The company loses the match and all the money they had bet on him, causing them to resent him even more. However, during a war game exercise, Randolph redeems himself by saving Bob and coming up with a ruse to win the sham battle for his company. He is finally accepted by his unit and wins Bob's and Judy's admiration in

810-1140: Is now the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre . Many of the leading names in stage and film appeared in the series, most in the roles they made famous on the screen. They included Abbott and Costello , Lauren Bacall , Wallace Beery , Ingrid Bergman , Humphrey Bogart , James Cagney , Ronald Colman , Joan Crawford , Adriana Caselotti , Bing Crosby , Bette Davis , Irene Dunne , Deanna Durbin , Henry Fonda , Ava Gardner , Judy Garland , Betty Grable , Cary Grant , Rita Hayworth , Katharine Hepburn , William Holden , Bob Hope , Betty Hutton , Gene Kelly , Hedy Lamarr , Carole Lombard , Myrna Loy , Jeanette MacDonald , Fredric March , Robert Mitchum , Dennis Morgan , Paul Muni , Laurence Olivier , Robert Preston , Tyrone Power , Edward G. Robinson , Ginger Rogers , Mickey Rooney , Frank Sinatra , Red Skelton , Barbara Stanwyck , James Stewart , Gloria Swanson , Elizabeth Taylor , Robert Taylor , Shirley Temple , Spencer Tracy , Lana Turner , John Wayne , and Orson Welles . An Australian Lux Radio Theatre

864-571: The "incompetence" of the United States Army. The film was shown to U.S. troops in every theater of war. It was re-released in 1948, and again on a double bill with Keep 'Em Flying in 1953 during the Korean War. The Andrews Sisters perform four songs in the film: "You're a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith", " Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy ", "Bounce Me Brother, With a Solid Four", and " (I'll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time ". The composers of

918-478: The Forrester's Club. Mattson had also given a cryptic clue about a hidden stash of money, stating that he "kept his money in his head," but its existence remains questionable. Mattson's attorney introduces the boys to an associate, Charlie Smith. Chuck and Ferdie are unaware that Smith is a member of Moose's gang and seeks the money. Smith has arranged for a wildcat bus to drop them off at the Forrester's Club, but

972-486: The Lady . On several occasions, usually when he was out of town, he was temporarily replaced by various celebrities, including Leslie Howard and Edward Arnold . Lux Radio Theatre strove to feature as many of the original stars of the original stage and film productions as possible, usually paying them $ 5,000 an appearance. In 1936, when sponsor manufacturer Lever Brothers (who made Lux brand soap and detergent) moved

1026-725: The Lux commercials. Each show featured a scripted session with Garrick talking to the lead actors. Anthony appeared as Garrick from the premiere 1934 episode until June 30, 1935. Garrick was portrayed by Albert Hayes from July 29, 1935, to May 25, 1936, when the show moved to the West Coast. Famed studio executive and film producer and director Cecil B. DeMille took over as the host on June 1, 1936, continuing until January 22, 1945. That initial episode with DeMille featured stars Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable in The Legionnaire and

1080-601: The Messrs. Abbott and Costello got more, louder and longer laughs in Hold That Ghost at its Hollywood preview than they did in Buck Privates or In the Navy . Veritably, it is to be doubted if any two comedians ever got so many laughs in one picture any time, anywhere." The Hollywood Reporter added: "the laughs come so fast and furious that a great many lines are entirely drowned out. At one point, about half

1134-516: The Minor on Lux Radio Theatre . When Joseph Cotten read the names of the next week's cast, he supposedly said, with a mixture of shock and astonishment, that listeners would hear "that new, talented personality... Sonny Tufts ?!" However, this never happened. The legend began as a fake segment on one of Kermit Schafer 's popular "Bloopers" albums, which have been criticized for their recreations, fabrications, and lack of accuracy. In actuality, Tufts

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1188-511: The audience was saying ‘Sh’ to the other half." Motion Picture Daily called it "by far the corniest comedy the Abbott and Costello duo has committed, but don’t get me wrong—for 'corniest' is, in this case, a synonym for best." Variety called the picture "a slam-bang and knockabout comedy, silly and ridiculous, but a laugh-creator and audience-pleaser." Critics did complain about the superfluous musical numbers. The Philadelphia Inquirer

1242-400: The doctor fight off two of them, while others chase Ferdie, who has the loot, through the tavern. Ferdie scares off all the gangsters by imitating the sound of a police siren. The doctor announces that the tavern's unsavory water has valuable therapeutic properties, and Ferdie and Chuck transform the place into a posh health resort. The boys hire Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters to headline, and

1296-459: The film three out of four stars and noted it as "Prime A&C." Allmovie contributor Hal Erickson gave the film three out of a possible five stars and stated that the "moving candle" scene might be "Costello's funniest-ever screen scene." Abbott and Costello biographer Jim Mulholland has described it as the "team's best film next to Buck Privates. " Hold that Ghost was re-released twice by Realart Pictures in 1948 and 1949, along with Hit

1350-446: The first three of these songs, Don Raye and Hughie Prince , appear in the film as new recruits alongside Abbott and Costello. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was nominated for an Academy Award. The studio was against using "(I'll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time" because of fees demanded by the music publisher. The Andrews Sisters paid the fee themselves, and it went on to become one of their most requested songs. "Bounce Me Brother, With

1404-511: The following year, eventually choosing William Keighley as the new permanent host, a post he held from late 1945 through 1952. After that, producer-director Irving Cummings hosted the program until it ended in 1955. For its airings on the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Service (for which it was retitled Hollywood Radio Theater ), the program was hosted by Don Wilson in the early 1950s. During its years on CBS in Hollywood, Lux Radio Theatre

1458-407: The general runs for profitable biz." Film Daily enthused: "If ever a 'sleeper' appeared out of Hollywood, this is it ... the attraction is a grand, madcap musical which packs a whale of a wallop for the general public liking laughs galore on the frankly slapstick side." Harrison's Reports described it as "A good comedy for the masses ... Abbott and Costello definitely establish themselves as

1512-519: The hour-long radio formats. Many of the early episodes were direct rebroadcasts of the Australian programs. Lux Radio Theatre was the most enduring show on Springbok Radio, running from the first night of the network's broadcasting life until six months before it went off the air. On October 2, 1950, Lux Video Theatre began as a live 30-minute Monday evening CBS Television series, switching to Thursday nights during August 1951. In September 1953,

1566-468: The long-running radio series (and eventual television hit) of the same name. At least once, Lux Radio Theatre offered a presentation without any known performers; its adaptation of This Is the Army during World War II featured a cast of American soldiers. A famous urban legend claimed that actor Sonny Tufts was slated to appear as a guest alongside Joan Fontaine for a production of The Major and

1620-400: The maitre d' who fired them from Chez Glamour turns up as a temp waiter. Hold that Ghost (working title: Oh, Charlie ) was made immediately after Buck Privates , from January 21 through February 24, 1941, on a budget of $ 190,000. The original opened with Chuck and Ferdie working at their gas station and featured many scenes of Mattson's gang planning or attempting to scare the boys out of

1674-485: The opening and closing of the film with musical numbers by the Andrews Sisters (who appeared in both service comedies) and bandleader Ted Lewis . New scenes were written and others were re-shot for continuity purposes. These revisions were scripted primarily by Edmund L. Hartmann without credit. Upgrading Oh, Charlie cost anywhere from $ 25,000 to $ 150,000, according to different studio sources. In June 1941,

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1728-538: The original radio programs, the cast are all dressed formally, and those purchasing audience tickets were also encouraged to wear their best clothes. Many famous plays, particularly some Agatha Christie mysteries are being performed. A South African version of Lux Radio Theatre ran on Springbok Radio between 1950 and 1985. While having the same name and sponsor, it departed from the American show in that, additionally, British and Australian works were adapted into

1782-408: The picture was retitled Hold That Ghost. A 30-minute radio adaptation was performed by Abbott and Costello on Louella Parsons ' program, Hollywood Premiere , one week before the film was released. Upon the film's release it received almost unanimously positive reviews. The Motion Picture Herald reported, "Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, they’ve done it again. In fact by count and with witnesses,

1836-455: The policeman who chased them, is now their sergeant. Randolph, meanwhile, learns that his father will not use his influence on his behalf, believing that a year in the Army will do Randolph some good. For all the difficulties, camp life isn't so bad, since The Andrews Sisters appear at regular intervals to sing sentimental or patriotic tunes (including " Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy ") and Herbie continues to foul up with little consequence. Although he

1890-407: The process. When he learns that he's been accepted to Officer Training School, he initially refuses, believing that his father's political influence was responsible. However, his commanding officer assures him that his training record and recommendations from his superiors factored in the decision. Bob has also been offered an appointment to OTS, and Judy announces that she will be joining them there as

1944-505: The same way twice—and extended the drill routine into a five-minute sketch that became a highlight of the finished feature. Abbott and Costello were amazed when they saw the scene on film; they were so accustomed to the shorter, two-minute sketch that they couldn't believe how cleverly it had been amplified. Lubin recalled the film "was very strange to shoot because they didn't go by much of a shooting script. Being burlesque comedians they just did their old routines. They would say 'This routine

1998-535: The series adapted Broadway plays during its first two seasons before it began adapting films. These hour-long radio programs were performed live before studio audiences. The series became the most popular dramatic anthology series on radio, broadcast for more than 20 years and continued on television as the Lux Video Theatre through most of the 1950s. The primary sponsor of the show was Unilever through its Lux Soap brand. Broadcasting from New York,

2052-530: The series premiered at 2:30 pm, October 14, 1934, on the NBC Blue Network with a production of Seventh Heaven starring Miriam Hopkins and John Boles in a full-hour adaptation of the 1922–24 Broadway production by Austin Strong. The host was the show's fictional producer, Douglass Garrick (portrayed by John Anthony). Doris Dagmar played another fictional character, Peggy Winthrop, who delivered

2106-710: The show from New York City to Hollywood , the program began to emphasize adaptations of films rather than plays. The first Lux film adaptation was The Legionnaire and the Lady , with Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable, based on the film Morocco . That was followed by a Lux adaptation of The Thin Man , featuring the movie's actual stars, Myrna Loy and William Powell . Though the show focused on film and its performers, several classic radio regulars appeared in Lux Radio Theatre productions. Jim and Marian Jordan , better known as Fibber McGee and Molly , appeared on

2160-462: The show relocated from New York to Hollywood. In August 1954, the show moved to NBC Television as an hour-long show on Thursday nights, telecast until September 12, 1957. James Mason was the host in the 1954–55 season. Hold That Ghost Hold That Ghost is a 1941 American horror comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello and featuring Joan Davis , Evelyn Ankers and Richard Carlson .It

2214-416: The show twice and also built an episode of their own radio comedy series around one of those appearances. Their longtime costar, Arthur Q. Bryan (wisecracking Doc Gamble on Fibber McGee and Molly ), made a few Lux appearances, as well. Bandleader Phil Harris , a longtime regular on Jack Benny 's radio program and his wife Alice Faye , who became radio stars with their own comedy show in 1948, appeared in

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2268-410: The tavern. At the climax, another faction of Mattson's gang who had escaped from prison arrives and the rival groups fight over the loot, which turns out to be counterfeit. The state police, who had picked up the wildcat bus driver, arrive and arrest the gang members. Chuck and Ferdie are still able to open a resort based on the therapeutic properties of the well water. Lubin said the film "had more of

2322-403: The theater. Randolph expects his influential father to pull some strings so he can avoid military service. Bob, on the other hand, takes his military obligations in stride. Tensions between the two men escalate further with the introduction of Judy Gray, a camp hostess and a friend of Bob's upon whom Randolph sets his sights. At boot camp, Slicker and Herbie are mortified to discover that Collins,

2376-562: The union, thus a ban from appearing on the air, DeMille was finished in radio (because he also refused to let anyone else pay the dollar for him). In his 1959 autobiography, DeMille alleged that a former member of the American Communist Party later confided to him that the party had consciously orchestrated these circumstances of his exclusion from radio, as they considered him to be one of their two foremost enemies in radio. Lux Radio Theatre employed several hosts over

2430-481: The unscrupulous bus driver abandons them and three unrelated passengers—a doctor, a radio actress, and a waitress—at the tavern during a heavy rainstorm. As the night progresses, strange things happen. Smith disappears while searching the basement, and his corpse turns up unexpectedly several times. The water in the tavern tastes foul. Ferdie discovers his bedroom is rigged to transform into a casino with hidden gambling equipment. The girls are scared by what appears to be

2484-406: Was a little uncertain about how they were going to be accepted. But at the first preview the audience just died. Buck Privates was a very, very funny show. And, actually, I must say it was very little credit to the director. It consisted mainly of fabulous gags that these two wonderful guys knew from years and years of being in burlesque." Universal had already sold Buck Privates to exhibitors as

2538-459: Was billed first, as originally intended. The "drill routine", where Smitty tries to get Herbie and other soldiers to march in formation, had been performed by Abbott and Costello on stage for more than three years, where it lasted about two-and-a-half minutes. Director Arthur Lubin and film editor Arthur Hilton , recognizing the potential for a major comedy scene, combined footage from all the various takes—in which Abbott and Costello never performed

2592-696: Was broadcast from the CBS Radio Playhouse at 1615 North Vine Street in Hollywood , one block south of the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine. The theater was owned by aviator, industrialist, and film producer Howard Hughes in the early 1930s. When it was purchased in 1954 by philanthropist Huntington Hartford , it was briefly called the Huntington Hartford Theater and then the Doolittle Theater. It

2646-530: Was broadcast on the Major Broadcasting Network during the late 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. It was heard nationwide at 8.00 pm on a Sunday evening. Many U.S. theatrical, movie, television and radio personalities made the long flight to Australia, simply to appear on the Australian version of Lux Radio Theatre. On Sunday evening 3 September 1939 and as part of Lux Radio Theatre, the Major network

2700-597: Was broadcasting a performance of Leah Kleschna , which was suddenly interrupted by the voice of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Robert Menzies , announcing that Australia was now at war with Germany. In 2018 and as recently as 2020 and 2021 (despite COVID-19 restrictions) a group of entrepreneurs has recreated the Lux Radio Theatre as a theatrical event which toured Australian cities and towns. As in

2754-682: Was introduced by Cotten on the radio series Suspense , but Cotten's introduction was perfectly normal. A clash over closed shop union rulings favored by the American Federation of Radio Artists ended DeMille's term as host of Lux Radio Theatre . AFRA assessed members a dollar each to help back a campaign to enact closed-shop rulings in California. DeMille, an AFRA member but a stern opponent of closed shops, refused to pay because he believed it would nullify his opposition vote. When AFRA ruled those not paying faced suspension from

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2808-433: Was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures . Abbott and Costello performed a half-hour live version of the film for radio audiences on Louella Parsons ' Hollywood Premiere on August 1, 1941. Gas station attendants Chuck Murray and Ferdie Jones aspire to better jobs. They temporarily work as waiters at Chez Glamour, a high-class nightclub where Ted Lewis and The Andrews Sisters perform, but are fired for causing

2862-749: Was released on April 17, 2012. Judy mentions that her father was a Captain in the "Fighting 69", a reference to The Fighting 69th . The film is advertised on a cinema marquee in 1941 . Lux Radio Theatre Lux Radio Theatre , sometimes spelled Lux Radio Theater , a classic radio anthology series , was broadcast on the NBC Blue Network (1934–35) (owned by the National Broadcasting Company , later predecessor of American Broadcasting Company [ABC] in 1943–1945); CBS Radio network ( Columbia Broadcasting System ) (1935–54), and NBC Radio (1954–55). Initially,

2916-598: Was typical: "Universal dusted off Ted Lewis and the Andrews Sisters, inserting them in nightclub sequences fore and aft to add a bit of ‘name’ value. For our money...they only pad out the picture." The New York Times considered the film "immensely funny" but also criticized its musical numbers and, as a result, its length. Rotten Tomatoes reports that 100% of critics gave the film positive write-ups based on six reviews, and 90% of 780 users liked it, with an average rating of 4.2/5. Film critic Leonard Maltin gave

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