Episode #1.27 (11 Mar. 1951)

Abbott and Costello recreate some of their most famous skits including "Who's on First?" and "The Haunted Candle" and do a burlesque on the opera "Carmen."

Directors:

Charles Friedman, Kingman T. Moore

Writers:

Eddie Forman (script), Charles Friedman (special material)

Stars:

Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Jarmila Novotna

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Bud Abbott	...	Himself - Host
Lou Costello	...	Himself - Host
Jarmila Novotna	...	Herself / Restaurant Owner
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Frankenstein Monster (as Lon Chaney)
Sid Fields	...	Uncle Charlie / Carmen's Father
Jesse James and Carnell	...	Themselves - Dancers
Ann Thomas
Milton Frome	...	Col. Frome / Det. Murphy / restaurant Patron (as Milt Frome)
Gregg Sherwood	...	Herself
Al Goodman	...	Himself - Orchestra Leader
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James Nolan	...	Himself - Palmolive Spokesman

Storyline

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello host with guests Lon Chaney, Jr., opera star Jarmilla Novotna, Sid Fields, Milton Frome, Gregg Sherwood, dancers Jesse, James and Carnell, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. Abbott and Costello recreate some of their most famous skits including "Who's on First?" "The Telephone Booth," and "The Haunted Candle, and do a burlesque on the opera "Carmen," the last two featuring a cameo with former co-star Lon Chaney, Jr., as the Frankenstein Monster.

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Plot Keywords:

abbott and costello | opera | telephone booth | frankenstein's monster | uso | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1951 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Colgate-Palmolive-Peet, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

59 min

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Milton Frome appears as a military colonel, his uniform is that of a commercial airline pilot.

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Quotes

Himself - Host: [Startled as he opens mummy case] Oh, are you a mummy?
Sexy harem girl: Heavens,no! I'm not even married!

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Connections

References The Naughty Nineties (1945)

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Soundtracks

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
(uncredited) (1907)
Music by Albert von Tilzer
Words by Jack Norworth
Sung by chorus prior to "Who's on First?" routine

User Reviews

"I Must Be in Love - I Feel Lousy."

If you are a horror fan, this episode of The Colgate Comedy Hour may hold interest for you as it does contain Lon Chaney in it dressed as the Frankenstein monster. However, I only glimpsed him in an opera parody of Carmen as he came out near the end. The version I saw was on Netflix(streaming) and promises the Haunted candle routine but does not have it in episode. This is unfortunate as I fear this is where Chaney gets to do his best as the monster hamming it up with Bud and Lou. notwithstanding that if you love Abbott and Costello then you will not be disappointed terribly as you get to see them really as themselves. Lou breaks up at least four or five times. Bud even cracks a few unintended smiles as the lunacy ensues. They do do their "Who's on First?" routine. Lou also does a very funny bit trying to get a phone number whilst a cast of characters have no problem reaching their exchanges. This is classic A & C all the way. The episode has Chaney but also along is Sid Fields and opera singer Jarmila Novotna. When I am able to find the "missing" piece, I will re-evaluate.