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The Official Abbott and Costello Scrapbook
Offers profiles to the popular comedy team, looks at their careers in vaudeville, radio, and films, shares several of their most famous routines, and includes the reminiscences of those who worked with them
212 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1990
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February 23, 2024
This book was published to celebrate the 50th. anniversary of their very first film: "One Night in the Tropics" released in 1940.
The authors interviewed more than 50 of Bud Abbott's and Lou Costello's close friends, relatives, and co-workers to put together this scrapbook that features quotes and personal remembrances from those who knew them best. Included are comments from Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, the Andrews Sisters and Mel Blanc along with an introduction by Buddy Hackett.
It's put together like a scrapbook and that's half the fun as it allows the authors to include just about everything but the kitchen sink in a delightful chaotic way which is an appropriate tribute to The Boys who provided so much zaniness and darn good old fashioned comedy entertainment during their long successful years in film, radio and television.
This charming book features a complete filmography, a listing of all 52 episodes from their television series*, a fantastic selection of more than 200 photos (many rare), posters as well as printing some of the best A & C routines including the classic "Who's on First?" segment.
As a lifelong fan who as a small boy spent many a Saturday Matinee at the local cinema feasting on reruns of nutty Abbott and Costello films and still delight in rewatching a film from my DVD collection, this old book is a wonderful read and cherished collector's item.
* 1952-1953. "Critics hated this show. Audiences found it screamingly funny, so much so that it became one of the most successful and most repeated syndicated programs in television history.
One New York station is said to have aired each one of the 52 episodes more than 200 times."
All the episodes have been released on DVD and I'll vouch for the low brow slapstick, corny lines and knockabout physical comedy but also praise them as highly entertaining madcap vaudeville skits in their purest form.
From their radio show:
BUD: By the way, what kind of cow have you? A heifer cow?
LOU: No, I got a WHOLE cow! Not just one, I got a whole flock of 'em!
BUD: No, no. You don't understand. Not flock. Herd!
LOU: Heard what?
BUD: Herd of cows.
LOU: Sure I heard of cows! Whaddaya think I am, a dummy?
BUD: No, I mean a cow herd.
LOU: What do I care if a cow heard?!
Review based on Contemporary Books, Chicago edition, 1990. 212 pages.
The authors interviewed more than 50 of Bud Abbott's and Lou Costello's close friends, relatives, and co-workers to put together this scrapbook that features quotes and personal remembrances from those who knew them best. Included are comments from Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, the Andrews Sisters and Mel Blanc along with an introduction by Buddy Hackett.
It's put together like a scrapbook and that's half the fun as it allows the authors to include just about everything but the kitchen sink in a delightful chaotic way which is an appropriate tribute to The Boys who provided so much zaniness and darn good old fashioned comedy entertainment during their long successful years in film, radio and television.
This charming book features a complete filmography, a listing of all 52 episodes from their television series*, a fantastic selection of more than 200 photos (many rare), posters as well as printing some of the best A & C routines including the classic "Who's on First?" segment.
As a lifelong fan who as a small boy spent many a Saturday Matinee at the local cinema feasting on reruns of nutty Abbott and Costello films and still delight in rewatching a film from my DVD collection, this old book is a wonderful read and cherished collector's item.
* 1952-1953. "Critics hated this show. Audiences found it screamingly funny, so much so that it became one of the most successful and most repeated syndicated programs in television history.
One New York station is said to have aired each one of the 52 episodes more than 200 times."
All the episodes have been released on DVD and I'll vouch for the low brow slapstick, corny lines and knockabout physical comedy but also praise them as highly entertaining madcap vaudeville skits in their purest form.
From their radio show:
BUD: By the way, what kind of cow have you? A heifer cow?
LOU: No, I got a WHOLE cow! Not just one, I got a whole flock of 'em!
BUD: No, no. You don't understand. Not flock. Herd!
LOU: Heard what?
BUD: Herd of cows.
LOU: Sure I heard of cows! Whaddaya think I am, a dummy?
BUD: No, I mean a cow herd.
LOU: What do I care if a cow heard?!
Review based on Contemporary Books, Chicago edition, 1990. 212 pages.
Displaying 1 of 1 review