Little Giant (1946)

Lou Costello plays a country bumpkin vacuum-cleaner salesman, working for the company run by the crooked Bud Abbott. To try to keep him under his thumb, Abbott convinces Costello that he's ... See full summary »

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

Richard Collins (story), Walter DeLeon (screenplay) (as Walter De Leon)

Stars:

Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Brenda Joyce

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bud Abbott	...	Eddie L. Morrison / T.S. Chandler
Lou Costello	...	Benny Miller
Brenda Joyce	...	Miss Ruby Burke
Jacqueline deWit	...	Hazel Temple Morrison (as Jacqueline de Wit)
George Cleveland	...	Clarence Goodring
Elena Verdugo	...	Martha Hill
Mary Gordon	...	Ma Miller
Pierre Watkin	...	P.S. Van Loon
Donald MacBride	...	The conductor
Victor Kilian	...	Gus Anderson (salesman)
George Chandler	...	O'Brien (salesman)
Joe Kirk	...	Salesman
Harry Brown	...	Larry, Salesman
Beatrice Gray	...	Miss King
Margaret Dumont	...	Mrs. Hendrickson

Storyline

Lou Costello plays a country bumpkin vacuum-cleaner salesman, working for the company run by the crooked Bud Abbott. To try to keep him under his thumb, Abbott convinces Costello that he's a crackerjack salesman. This comedy is somewhat like "The Time of Their Lives," in that Abbott and Costello don't have much screen time together and there are very few vaudeville bits woven into the plot.

---

Plot Keywords:

salesman | vacuum cleaner | abbott and costello | mind reading | actor playing multiple roles | 

---

Taglines:

They're Selling Vacuum Cleaners !

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Boy Wonder

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

C.S. Productions, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Lou Costello is mistaken for a male model and forced to strip, there is a very visible bandage on his right arm; that was to mask the bracelet containing the name of his baby son, who died in 1943, which the comic had welded closed so it could never be removed.

---

Goofs

Abbott's toupee shifts noticeably during the "7 times 13 = 28" scene. (The "shift" is due to the fact that the scene was filmed after principal photography was completed. It was felt that at least one classic "routine" had to be inserted into the picture. You will notice that Lou is also heavier during this footage. Also filmed at this time was the routine with Sidney Fields, replacing a less confrontational sequence filmed with Eddy Waller.)

---

Quotes

Miss Ruby Burke: What's the matter, Benny? You're lower than a caterpillar with fallen arches.

---

Connections

Featured in The World of Abbott and Costello (1965)

User Reviews

surprising pathos-filled change-of-pace for Abbott and Costello

Included in the second of Universal's multi-disc DVD sets of Abbott and Costello, LITTLE GIANT is a charming film, full of pathos, and NOT a standard A&C comedy. First, Abbott and Costello are not a team here. It's basically Costello's film, with Abbott in a dual role as both the film's antagonist and the antagonist's cousin, who befriends Costello. Second, the comedy is more physical than is usual for A&C and less verbal. It proves what a fine physical comedian Costello was. Third, the film tries for pathos instead of pure slapstick, and strays into territory more associated with Chaplin or Harry Langdon or even Jerry Lewis (as in Hardly Working, which this film reminded me of). Once again, Costello proves his talent as an actor of quality and depth. I applaud Universal for trying to develop the talents of Abbott and Costello in films such as this one and THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES, which followed it. Interestingly, after these two changes-of-pace for A&C, Universal played it safe by doing a sequel to BUCK PRIVATES, their first solo smash. Abbott does a nice job in both roles (obviously, the "positions" of his toupee were intentional!). A shame he did not get more character roles such as these. With the wide circulation the new DVD boxset will give LITTLE GIANT, I feel it will gain a new and understanding audience who will appreciate the chances the film takes. Finally, the wonderful Elena Verdugo is as charming as ever.