One Night in the Tropics (1940)

Jim "Lucky" Moore (Allan Jones), an insurance salesman, comes up with a novel policy for his friend, Steve (Robert Cummings): a 'love insurance policy', that will pay out $1-million if ... See full summary »

Director:

A. Edward Sutherland

Writers:

Earl Derr Biggers (novel), Kathryn Scola (adaptation),

Stars:

Allan Jones, Nancy Kelly, Bud Abbott

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Allan Jones	...	Jim Moore
Nancy Kelly	...	Cynthia Merrick
Bud Abbott	...	Abbott
Lou Costello	...	Costello
Robert Cummings	...	Steve Harper
Mary Boland	...	Aunt Kitty Marblehead
William Frawley	...	Roscoe
Peggy Moran	...	Mickey Fitzgerald
Leo Carrillo	...	Escobar
Don Alvarado	...	Rodolfo
Nina Orla	...	Nina
Richard Carle	...	James G. Moore

Storyline

Jim "Lucky" Moore (Allan Jones), an insurance salesman, comes up with a novel policy for his friend, Steve (Robert Cummings): a 'love insurance policy', that will pay out $1-million if Steve does not marry his fiancée, Cynthia (Nancy Kelly). The upcoming marriage is jeopardized by Steve's ex-girlfriend, Mickey (Peggy Moran), and Cynthia's disapproving Aunt Kitty. The policy is underwritten by a nightclub owner, Roscoe (William Frawley), who sends two enforcers - Abbott and Costello - to ensure that the wedding occurs as planned. Everyone involved in the situation winds up sailing or flying to San Marcos (a fictional South American country), where another complication arises, when Lucky falls for Cynthia. Lucky winds up marrying Cynthia, but Roscoe does not have to pay the $1-million because Steve ends up marrying Mickey.

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Plot Keywords:

insurance | playboy | laying jacket over puddle | socialite | ship | 

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Taglines:

Jerome Kern's MIRTH & MELODY MAGICAL MUSICAL! (original print ad - many caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 November 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Caribbean Holiday

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The premiere of the film was held in Paterson, New Jersey, the hometown of Lou Costello.

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Quotes

[Costello lights up a cigar]
Abbott: Put that out. There's no smoking in here.
Costello: What makes you think I'm smokin'?
Abbott: You've got a cigar in your mouth!
Costello: I've got shoes on... don't mean I'm walkin'.

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Connections

Version of Love Insurance (1919)

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Soundtracks

"Simple Philosophy"
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Credited onscreen and possibly played as background music

User Reviews

Abbott and Costello steal the show in their debut

"Lucky" Moore, Allan Jones, an insurance salesmen, sells his friend, Steve, Robert Cummings, a million dollar love insurance policy after his fiancee, Cynthia, Nancy Kelly, calls off their wedding. Complications arise from the presence of Steve's persistent ex-girlfriend Mickey, Peggy Moran, and Lucky's growing love for Cynthia. Add a gangster whose backing the policy and his two henchmen, and you have all the ingredients of a classic screwball comedy. However, it isn't quite a classic. Why? The story is sufficient. The leads are pleasant enough, but none of them quite have the star power to push it to the next level. (The comic lead, Allan Jones, is most famous for playing the straight romantic lead in two Marx Brothers movies. Imagine this film done at the same time at MGM with William Powell in the lead backed up by Myrna Loy. Then we'd have a film that could stand on its own.) This film would be consigned to the mildly-diverting late night cable bin if it weren't for the gangster's two henchmen, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, in their film debut. Bud and Lou give the film energy every time they appear on screen. Unfortunately, it is a different energy than the rest of the film. It's like the plot lurches to a stop to let them do some routines - like the abbreviated version of the "Who's on First" routine. Not that I am complaining. Their material was better than the rest of the movie. It is a good debut, and easy to see why they would be quickly given their own film. Abbott and Costello would not prove to be my favorite comedy team, but they had many highlights ahead of them.