Hold That Ghost *** (1941, Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Joan Davis, Richard Carlson, Andrews Sisters, Evelyn Ankers, Shemp Howard, Ted Lewis) – Classic Movie Review 12,335

Director Arthur Lubin’s 1941 Universal Pictures black and white haunted house slapstick comedy Hold That Ghost stars Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in what is perhaps their liveliest frolic. They are ably supported by Joan Davis, Richard Carlson, The Andrews Sisters, Evelyn Ankers, Shemp Howard and Ted Lewis.

Abbott and Costello play gas station attendant boys Chuck Murray (Abbott) and Ferdie Jones (Costello) who get involved with a dead gangster after he leaves his property to them, when they are stuck with strangers a supposedly haunted house.

The often slow and strained script (by Robert Lees, Frederic I Rinaldo and John Grant) is greatly enlivened by fine comic moments like the moving candle, a funny cast, and welcome 1940s-style musical interludes by the Ted Lewis Orchestra, the Andrews Sisters (Laverne, Maxine and Patty) and Kay, Kay and Katya.

There is a lot of evidence of post-cutting jitters; several actors suffered the indignity of having their scenes deleted.

Songs: Me and My Shadow, Aurora, Sleepy Serenade, When My Baby Smiles at Me, plus The Blue Danube Waltz.

Also in the cast are Marc Lawrence, Mischa Auer, Russell Hicks, William B Davidson, Madge Crane, Edgar Dearing, Thurston Hall, Harry Hayden, Nestor Paiva, Milton Parsons, Edward Pawley, Frank Richards, William Ruhl, Janet Shaw, and Don Terry.

Writers: Robert Lees (screenplay and original story), Frederic I. Rinaldo (screenplay and original story), and John Grant (screenplay).

The Andrews Sisters were brought in later and their final nightclub footage was edited in after the film’s completion.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,335

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com