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IMDbPro

Buck Privates

  • 19411941
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
Bud Abbott, Laverne Andrews, Maxene Andrews, Patty Andrews, Lou Costello, and The Andrews Sisters in Buck Privates (1941)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer1:32
1 Video
66 Photos
ComedyMusicalWar
Two sidewalk salesman enlist in the army in order to avoid jail, only to find that their drill instructor is the police officer who tried having them imprisoned.Two sidewalk salesman enlist in the army in order to avoid jail, only to find that their drill instructor is the police officer who tried having them imprisoned.Two sidewalk salesman enlist in the army in order to avoid jail, only to find that their drill instructor is the police officer who tried having them imprisoned.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Arthur Lubin
  • Writers
    • Arthur T. Horman(original screen play)
    • John Grant(special material for Abbott and Costello)
  • Stars
    • Bud Abbott
    • Lou Costello
    • Lee Bowman
  • Director
    • Arthur Lubin
  • Writers
    • Arthur T. Horman(original screen play)
    • John Grant(special material for Abbott and Costello)
  • Stars
    • Bud Abbott
    • Lou Costello
    • Lee Bowman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 61User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Buck Privates
    Trailer 1:32
    Watch Buck Privates

    Photos66

    Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Buck Privates (1941)
    Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Buck Privates (1941)
    Lou Costello and Shemp Howard in Buck Privates (1941)
    Lou Costello and Shemp Howard in Buck Privates (1941)
    Lou Costello and Shemp Howard in Buck Privates (1941)
    Buck Privates (1941)
    Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, and Nat Pendleton in Buck Privates (1941)
    Lee Bowman and Nat Pendleton in Buck Privates (1941)
    Alan Curtis in Buck Privates (1941)
    Lou Costello in Buck Privates (1941)
    Buck Privates (1941)
    Al Billings in Buck Privates (1941)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bud Abbott
    Bud Abbott
    • Slicker Smith
    Lou Costello
    Lou Costello
    • Herbie Brown
    Lee Bowman
    Lee Bowman
    • Randolph Parker III
    Jane Frazee
    Jane Frazee
    • Judy Gray
    Alan Curtis
    Alan Curtis
    • Bob Martin
    Nat Pendleton
    Nat Pendleton
    • Sgt. Michael Collins
    The Andrews Sisters
    The Andrews Sisters
    • Self
    Laverne Andrews
    Laverne Andrews
    • Laverne Andrews
    Maxene Andrews
    Maxene Andrews
    • Maxene Andrews
    Patty Andrews
    Patty Andrews
    • Patty Andrews
    Samuel S. Hinds
    Samuel S. Hinds
    • Maj. Gen. Emerson
    Harry Strang
    Harry Strang
    • Sgt. Callahan
    Nella Walker
    Nella Walker
    • Mrs. Parker II
    Leonard Elliott
    • Henry
    Shemp Howard
    Shemp Howard
    • Chef
    M.J. Frankovich
    • Announcer
    • (as Mike Frankovitch)
    Dora Clement
    Dora Clement
    • Miss Durling - Camp Hostess
    • (as Dora Clemant)
    Jean Brooks
    Jean Brooks
    • Camp Hostess
    • (as Jeanne Kelly)
    • Director
      • Arthur Lubin
    • Writers
      • Arthur T. Horman(original screen play)
      • John Grant(special material for Abbott and Costello)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's drill routine ran only 2-1/2 minutes in the script, but was allowed five minutes of screen time because of their ad-libbing. In fact, much of their dialogue in the film was ad-libbed.
    • Goofs
      During the dice game, Lou's tie is on for the close-ups, but off for the long shots.
    • Quotes

      Slicker Smith: You're 40 years-old and you're in love with this little girl that's 10 years-old. You're four times as old as that girl and you couldn't marry her, could you?

      Herbie Brown: Not unless I come from the mountains.

      Slicker Smith: All right- you're 40 years-old, you're four times as old as this girl, and you can't marry her, so you wait five years. By that time the little girl's 15 and you're 45. You're only three times as old as that little girl. So you wait 15 years and when the girl is 30, you're at 60. You're only twice as old as that little girl.

      Herbie Brown: She's catching up.

      Slicker Smith: Yes, yes. Now here's the question. How long do you have to wait until you and that little girl are the same age?

      Herbie Brown: Now what kinda question is that? That's ridiculous!

      Slicker Smith: Ridiculous or not, answer the question.

      Herbie Brown: If I wait for that girl she'll pass me up. She'll wind up older than I am.

      Slicker Smith: What are you talking about?

      Herbie Brown: She'll have to wait for me!

      Slicker Smith: Why should she wait for you?

      Herbie Brown: ...I was nice enough to wait for her!

    • Connections
      Featured in Frances Farmer Presents: Buck Privates (1958)
    • Soundtracks
      Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
      Lyrics by Don Raye

      Music by Hugh Prince

      Performed by The Andrews Sisters (uncredited)

    User reviews61

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Bud & Lou's stars-making vehicle
    BUCK PRIVATES (1941) **** Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in their first starring film (their debut in "One Night in the Tropics" were supporting comic foils) catapulted them into the stratosphere of movie stardom as the premiere comedy team of the 1940s and this film was the lifesaver for their home studio Universal which was precariously close to bankruptcy until the release of this comic masterpiece with the boys in over their heads as unknowing volunteers in the US Army. Uproariously funny particularly their drill instruction scenes with Bud and Lou improvising ("What time is it?" "None of your business!") Look for frequent co-stars the musical singing siblings The Andrews Sisters (who sing the smash "The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy") and also look for Shemp Howard, of The Three Stooges, in the mess sequence with Lou.
    helpful•16
    2
    • george.schmidt
    • Feb 28, 2003

    FAQ1

    • List: Wacky boxing

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 31, 1941 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Rookies
    • Filming locations
      • Fort Ord, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $245,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 24 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Bud Abbott, Laverne Andrews, Maxene Andrews, Patty Andrews, Lou Costello, and The Andrews Sisters in Buck Privates (1941)
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