Abbott and costello biography movie

American comedy duo

For agitate uses, see Abbott and Costello (disambiguation).

This article is missing information about the team's history (including their beginnings, success, and split), and their legacy/influence. Please dilate the article to include that information. Further details may begin on the talk page.(April 2018)

Abbott and Costello were an English comedy duo composed of comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, whose work in radio, integument, and television made them interpretation most popular comedy team attack the 1940s and 1950s, endure the highest-paid entertainers in class world during the Second Globe War.

Their patter routine "Who's on First?" is considered hold up of the greatest comedy routines of all time,^[1] a type of which appears in their 1945 film The Naughty Nineties.

Abbott and Costello made their film debut in the 1940 comedy One Night in excellence Tropics. The following year, they appeared in three war-themed comedies: Buck Privates, In the Navy, and Keep 'Em Flying.

They also appeared in the 1941 horror comedy film Hold Ensure Ghost, and went on consent appear in several other detestation comedies, including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Abbott suffer Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Abbott and Costello Meet Dr.

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953), and Abbott and Costello Apt the Mummy (1955). Other movies starring the duo include Pardon My Sarong, Who Done It? (both 1942), The Time quite a lot of Their Lives (1946), Buck Neighbourly Come Home (1947), Africa Screams (1949), and Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953).

Burlesque

The two comedians had crossed paths a few times previously, however first worked together in 1935 at the Eltinge Burlesque Transitory on 42nd Street in Another York City.^[2] Their first lend a hand resulted from Costello's regular significant other becoming ill, and Abbott replacement for him.^[3]

Other performers in primacy show, including Abbott's wife, pleased a permanent pairing.

The combination built an act by refinement and reworking numerous burlesque sketches with Abbott as the untrustworthy straight man and Costello primate the dimwitted comic.

Decades posterior, when AMC moved the stow theater 168 feet (51 metres) further west on 42nd Track to its current location, high balloons of Abbott and Costello were rigged to appear authenticate pull it.^[4]

Radio

The team's first famed radio broadcast was on The Kate Smith Hour on Feb 3, 1938.^[3] At first, representation similarities between their voices beholden it difficult for radio gallery (as opposed to stage audiences) to tell them apart close to their rapid-fire repartee.

As neat result, Costello affected a ear-splitting, childish voice. "Who's on First?" was first performed for wonderful national radio audience the later month.^[3] They performed on say publicly program as regulars for one years, while also landing roles in a Broadway revue, The Streets of Paris, in 1939.^[5]

After debuting their own program, The Abbott and Costello Show, whereas Fred Allen's summer replacement summon 1940,^[6] Abbott and Costello married Edgar Bergen and Charlie Pol on The Chase and Sanborn Hour in 1941.

Two replicate their films (Hold That Ghost and Buck Privates) were fit for radio that year. Hold That Ghost was presented though a half-hour adaptation on Revered 1, 1941 on Louella Parsons' Hollywood Premiere,^[7] and Buck Privates was presented on Lux Ghetto-blaster Theatre as a one-hour version on October 13, 1941.^[8] Their program returned in its make threadbare weekly time slot starting philosophy October 8, 1942, with Cream cigarettes as sponsor.

The Abbott and Costello Show mixed facetiousness with musical interludes (by vocalists such as Connie Haines, Ashley Eustis, the Delta Rhythm Boys, Skinnay Ennis, Marilyn Maxwell tolerate the Les Baxter Singers).

Among the show's regular and semi-regular performers were Joe Kirk (Costello's brother-in-law) as the excitable Italian immigrant Mr.

Bacciagalupe, Artie Auerbach as Mr. Kitzel, Elvia Allman, Iris Adrian, Mel Blanc, Tomfool Brown, Sharon Douglas, Verna Felton, Sidney Fields, Frank Nelson, Martha Wentworth and Benay Venuta. Visitor stars included Cary Grant, Open Sinatra, The Andrews Sisters celebrated Lucille Ball.

Ken Niles was the show's longtime announcer, raise as an exasperated foil hold forth Costello, who routinely insulted coronate on-air wife (played by Elvia Allman).

Niles was succeeded impervious to Michael Roy, alternating over high-mindedness years with Frank Bingman come to rest Jim Doyle.

The show went through several orchestras, including those of Ennis, Charles Hoff, Matty Matlock, Matty Malneck, Jack Meakin, Will Osborne, Fred Rich, Leith Stevens and Peter van Steeden.

The show's writers included Queen Harris, Hal Fimberg, Parke Bill, Don Prindle, Eddie Cherkose (later known as Eddie Maxwell), Author B. Stern, Martin Ragaway, Feminist Conlan and Eddie Forman, monkey well as producer Martin Gosch. Sound effects were handled generally by Floyd Caton.

In 1947, the show moved to ABC (the former NBC Blue Network).

During their time on ABC the duo also hosted uncluttered 30-minute children's radio program (The Abbott and Costello Children's Show)^[9] on Saturday mornings. The curriculum featured child vocalist Anna Mae Slaughter and child announcer Johnny McGovern. It finished its trot in 1949.^[10]

Film

In 1940, Universal Studios signed them for a melodious, One Night in the Tropics starring Allan Jones and Kinky Kelly.

Cast in supporting roles, Abbott and Costello stole probity picture with several classic routines, including "Who's on First?". Simple to a two-picture contract, their second film, Buck Privates (1941), directed by Arthur Lubin deliver co-starring The Andrews Sisters, was a massive hit, earning $4 million at the box office put forward launching Abbott and Costello on account of stars.^[3]

Their next film was far-out haunted house comedy, Oh, Charlie!; however, Buck Privates was fair successful that the studio trustworthy to delay the release and the team could hastily single and release a second rental comedy.

In the Navy (1941), co-starred crooner Dick Powell perch the Andrews Sisters, and primarily out-grossed Buck Privates. Loew's Model in Manhattan was open undecided 5 a.m. to oblige finish off 49,000 customers during the film's first week.^[3]

Oh, Charlie went affirm into production to add medicine featuring the Andrews Sisters deed Ted Lewis.

The film was eventually retitled Hold That Ghost (1941).^[11] The duo next arised in Ride 'Em Cowboy (1941), with Dick Foran, but loom over release was delayed so they could appear in a bag service comedy, Keep 'Em Flying (1941). This was their ultimate film directed by Arthur Lubin. All of their 1941 big screen were big hits, and Abbott and Costello were voted glory third biggest box office gravitation in the country in 1941.

Universal loaned the team closely Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for a musical clowning, Rio Rita (1942). During cinematography Abbott and Costello had their hand and foot prints pinched in concrete at what was then "Grauman's Chinese Theatre". Hang at Universal they made Pardon My Sarong (1942), a charade of South Sea Island movies; and Who Done It? (1942), a comedy-mystery.

In 1942, exhibitors voted them the top remain office stars in the territory, and their earnings for honourableness fiscal year were $789,026.^[12] Justness team did a 35-day rope during the summer of 1942 to promote and sell Fighting Bonds. The Treasury Department credited them with $85 million in sales.^[3]

After the tour the team marked in It Ain't Hay (1943), from a story by Friend Runyon; and Hit the Ice (1943).

Costello was stricken substitution rheumatic fever upon his send from a winter tour deserve army bases in March 1943 and was bedridden for all over six months. On November 4, 1943, the same day make certain Costello returned to radio care a one-year hiatus due in half a shake his illness, his infant poppycock Lou Jr. (nicknamed "Butch" deliver born November 6, 1942) labour in an accidental drowning compel the family's swimming pool.^[13] Maxene Andrews remembers visiting Costello exact sisters Patty and LaVerne cloth his illness, and remembered add Costello's demeanor changed after probity tragic loss of his toddler, recalling, "He didn't seem makeover fun-loving and as warm...He seemed to anger easily...there was expert difference in his attitude".^{[citation needed]}

After Costello recovered, the duo complementary to MGM for Lost exertion a Harem (1944) then were back at Universal for In Society (1944), Here Come integrity Co-Eds (1945) and The Badly behaved Nineties (1945).

Their third skull final film for MGM was Abbott and Costello in Hollywood (1945).

In 1945, a cleft developed when Abbott hired skilful domestic servant who had antediluvian fired by Costello. Costello refused to speak to his colleague except when performing. The shadowing year they made two motion pictures, (Little Giant and The At the double of Their Lives), in which they appeared as separate note rather than as a lineup.

This was likely the produce an effect of the tensions between them, plus the fact that their most recent films had crowd performed as well at glory box office. Abbott resolved dignity rift when he suggested appellative Costello's pet charity, a stanchion for underprivileged children, the "Lou Costello Jr. Youth Foundation." Goodness facility opened in 1947 deed still serves the Boyle Crown district of Los Angeles.

Abbott and Costello reunited as graceful team in Buck Privates Capital Home (1947), a sequel join their 1941 hit. In The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) they were supported inured to Marjorie Main. They signed fine new contract with Universal which allowed them to appear person of little consequence films outside of their apartment contract.^[3] The first of these, The Noose Hangs High (1948), was distributed by Eagle-Lion.

The team's next film, Abbott current Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), co-starring Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr, was a massive go around and revitalized the duo's employments. It was followed by Mexican Hayride (1948), an adaptation near a Cole Porter musical broke the songs. They followed proper Africa Screams (1949) for Nassour Studios, an independent company which was released through United Artists.

Back at Universal, they reciprocal to horror comedy with Abbott and Costello Meet the Pirate, Boris Karloff (1949).

The twins was sidelined again for assorted months when Costello suffered dexterous relapse of rheumatic fever. They returned to the screen comport yourself Abbott and Costello in integrity Foreign Legion (1950).

They reciprocal the following year in Abbott and Costello Meet the Unseen Man (1951); then Comin' Preempt the Mountain (1952), a clodhopper comedy.

Their first color integument, Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), was an independent production come around c regard by Warner Bros. After cinematography Lost in Alaska (1952) accent at Universal, they made dinky second independent color movie, Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (1952) co-starring Charles Laughton, which was also distributed by Tidbit Bros.

At Universal, they asterisked in Abbott and Costello Comprise to Mars (1953) and Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953). They were forced to withdraw distance from Fireman Save My Child perceive 1954 due to Costello's reassign health, and were replaced incite lookalikes Hugh O'Brian and Boon companion Hackett along with Spike Golfer and his City Slickers.

Their last two films for Prevailing were Abbott and Costello Compact the Keystone Kops (1955) limit Abbott and Costello Meet birth Mummy (1955). In 1956, they appeared in their final membrane together, Dance With Me, Henry, an independent production released put on United Artists.

Television

In January 1951, Abbott and Costello joined rank roster of rotating hosts forfeit The Colgate Comedy Hour bulk NBC.

(Eddie Cantor and Histrion and Lewis were among class others.) Each show was trig live hour of vaudeville prize open front of an audience, drinks the comedians' performances and bighearted their old routines a latest sparkle.

From the fall dying 1952 to the spring reproach 1954, a filmed half-hour program, The Abbott and Costello Show, appeared in syndication on peek at 40 local stations across glory United States.

Loosely based put together their radio series, the display cast the duo as out of work wastrels. One of the show's running gags involved Abbott often hounding Costello to get on the rocks job, while Abbott was fortunately unemployed. The show featured Poet Fields as their landlord weather Hillary Brooke as a march and sometime love interest cart Costello.

Other regulars were prospect Stooge Joe Besser as Lousy, a whiny child in skilful Little Lord Fauntleroy suit; Gordon Jones as Mike the policeman, who always lost patience bang into Costello; Joe Kirk, an Romance immigrant caricature whose role diverse with the requirements of nobility script; and Bobby Barber, who played many "extra" parts.

The simple plot lines were much an excuse to recreate jesting routines from their films lecture burlesque days, including "Who's picture First?" Since Costello owned probity series (with Abbott working pack together salary), this allowed them skin own these versions of magnanimity classic routines as well.

Dignity 2nd season was more story-driven. There was no continuity. Tho' The Abbott and Costello Show originally ran for only link seasons, it found a improved viewership in reruns from description 1960s to the 1990s. Righteousness shows have also been on the rampage in three different DVD sets over the years.

"Who's assignment First?"

Main article: Who's on First?

"Who's on First?" is Abbott tolerate Costello's signature routine.

Time review (December 26, 1999) named beat the best comedy routine director the 20th century. The describe was based on other base burlesque wordplay routines. They began honing the routine shortly equate teaming up in 1936, flourishing performed it in vaudeville interchangeable 1937 and 1938. It was first heard by a racial radio audience on March 24, 1938, when the team were regulars on the Kate Explorer radio show.^[3] By then, Gents Grant had been writing show up adapting other sketches for position team and may have helped expand "Who's on First?" erstwhile to its radio debut.

Significant stayed on as their purpose writer into the 1950s.

Depending upon the version, Abbott has either organized a new ballgame team and the players plot nicknames, or he points unwise the proliferation of nicknames break off baseball (citing St. Louis Cardinals sibling pitchersDizzy and Daffy Dean) before launching into the approach.

The infielders' nicknames are Who (first base), What (second base) and I Don't Know (third base). The key to interpretation routine is Costello's mounting interference set against Abbott's unyielding act. Audio recordings are readily at one's disposal on the Internet.^[14]

A notable secret language is the first television proceeding on the 1951 Colgate Amusement Hour.^[15]

"Who's on First?" is reputed to be available in reorganization many as twenty versions, overall from one minute to correlation to ten minutes.

The line-up could time the routine file will, adding or deleting portions as needed for films, wireless or television. The longest repel is seen in "The Actors' Home" episode of their filmed TV series, running approximately ability minutes. A live performance ceremonial the opening day of primacy Lou Costello Jr Youth Reinforcement in 1947 was recorded, famous has been included in abundant comedy albums.

The team's closing performance of "Who's on First?" on TV was on Steve Allen's variety show in 1957.

Personal lives

Abbott and Costello both married performers they met look onto burlesque. Abbott wed Betty Adventurer, a dancer and comedienne, affluent 1918, and Costello married natty chorus girl, Anne Battler, domestic animals 1934.

The Costellos had couple children; the Abbotts adopted duo. Abbott and Costello faced wildcat demons at times. Both were inveterate gamblers and had humorous health problems. Abbott suffered superior epilepsy and turned to john barleycorn for seizure management. Costello difficult to understand occasional, near-fatal bouts with palsied fever.^[16]

Later years

In the 1950s, Abbott and Costello's popularity waned check on the emergence of Dean Player and Jerry Lewis.

Another make every effort for their decline was overexposure.^[3] Each year they made cardinal new films, while Realart Cinema re-issued their older hits; their filmed television series was near syndicated, and the same routines appeared frequently on the Colgate program. (Writer Parke Levy gather Jordan R. Young, in The Laugh Crafters: Comedy Writing reconcile Radio and TV's Golden Age, that he was stunned give in learn that the pair were afraid to perform new material.)

Universal dropped the comedy band in 1955 after they could not agree on contract damage.

In the early 1950s, rendering Internal Revenue Service charged them for back taxes, forcing them to sell their homes give orders to most of their assets, containing the rights to most chuck out their films.^[3]

In 1956, they straightforward one independent film, Dance do business Me, Henry, and Costello was the subject of the tightly program This Is Your Life,^[17] then formally dissolved their harden in 1957.^[18][19] In his posthumously published 1959 autobiography, My Black-hearted, Wicked Ways,^[20]Errol Flynn claims think it over he triggered the breakup.

Flynn, a chronic practical joker, offer hospitality to them, along with their wives and children, to his see to for dinner, and afterwards, explicit commenced to show a rub movie that "accidentally" turned see to be hard-core pornography. Behaviour Flynn pretended to be bewildered, Costello and Abbott each blame the other for the film's substitution.

In his last grow older, Costello made about ten by oneself appearances on The Steve Filmmaker Show doing many of greatness old routines without Abbott. Costello performed stand-up in Las Vegas, and appeared in episodes illustrate GE Theater and Wagon Train. On March 3, 1959, whoop long after completing his inimitable solo film, The 30 Base Bride of Candy Rock, prohibited died of a heart isolated three days short of her majesty 53rd birthday.^[21]

Abbott attempted a riposte in 1960 with Candy Candido.

Although the new act old hat good reviews, Abbott quit, aphorism, "No one could ever outlast up to Lou." Abbott indebted a solo, dramatic appearance happen next an episode of General Forceful Theater in 1961. In 1966, Abbott voiced his character disturb a series of 156 five-minute Abbott and Costello cartoons forced by Hanna-Barbera.^[22] Costello's character was voiced by Stan Irwin.

Hold Abbott died of cancer be next door to April 24, 1974.^[23]

Filmography

Box office ranking

For a number of years Abbott and Costello were ranked in the middle of the most popular stars operate the US according to righteousness Quigley Publishers Poll of Exhibitors:

• 1941 – 3rd^[24]
• 1942 – Ordinal (US), 2nd (UK)
• 1943 – Tertiary (US), 3rd (UK)
• 1944 – Ordinal (US), 10th (UK)
• 1945 – Eleventh (US), 8th (UK)
• 1946 – 20th
• 1947 – 16th^[25]
• 1948 – 3rd
• 1949 – 3rd
• 1950 – 6th (US), Ordinal (UK)^[26]
• 1951 – 4th (US), Quaternary (UK)
• 1952 – 11th
• 1953 – 20th

Discography

• 1942: Laugh, Laugh, Laugh (Parts Distracted and II) Victor 27737^[27]

Spin-offs

The Decennium cartoon series was not dignity first time Abbott and Costello were animated.

During the climax of their popularity in magnanimity 1940s, Warner Bros.'s Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies animation unit produced 3 cartoons featuring the pair owing to cats or mice named "Babbit and Catstello". One of birth cartoons, Bob Clampett's A Inform of Two Kitties (1942), alien Tweety. The other cartoons falsified A Tale of Two Mice and Mouse-Merized Cat.

In come to blows three cartoons, Tedd Pierce (normally a storyman/writer for the cartoons) and Mel Blanc, respectively, livestock voice impressions of the humour duo.

The revival of their former television series in syndicated reruns in the late Decade and early 1970s helped spit atom renewed interest in the span, as did the televising salary many of their old fell hits.

In 1994, comedian Jerry Seinfeld—who says Abbott and Costello were strong influences on culminate work—hosted a television special Abbott and Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld (the title refers to description duo's popular film series briefing which they met some curst Universal's famed horror picture characters), on NBC; the special was said to have been peculiar in 20 million homes.

In popular culture

Abbott and Costello were frequently referred to in Decennium Looney Tunes cartoons, such bring in A Tale of Two Kitties (1942), A Tale of Yoke Mice (1945), Hollywood Canine Canteen, Hollywood Daffy and The Mouse-Merized Cat (all three from 1946).^[28] A catchphrase from Abbott lecturer Costello's radios show, "I'm three and a half mature old" was often quoted pull these cartoons too.^[29] Even Germs Bunny's famous catchphrase, "Ain't Unrestrainable a stinker?" was borrowed unfamiliar Lou Costello.^[28][30][31]

Although they are snivel inductees of the Hall upturn, Abbott and Costello are in the midst the few non-baseball personnel restriction be memorialized in the Sport Hall of Fame.

A tablet and a gold record hold the "Who's on First?" drawing have been on permanent conquest there since 1956, and nobleness routine runs on an unlimited video loop in the musical area.^[32]

Their "Who's on First?" boring has been referred to abundant times. In the 1988 haziness Rain Man, Dustin Hoffman's autistic character Raymond Babbitt recites play down affectless "Who's on First?" makeover a defence mechanism.

In 1982, Tonight Show host Johnny Conservationist performed a topical sketch translation then-President Ronald Reagan in which "Who's on First?"-style confusion arose from the names of Heart Secretary James Watt, Palestinian crowned head Yassir Arafat and Chinese crowned head Hu Yaobang.

The comedy grade The Credibility Gap performed spruce rock and roll update leave undone "Who's on First?" using high-mindedness names of rock groups Primacy Who, The Guess Who, come first Yes, recorded and released toil their first album, The Auburn Age of Radio.

On glory January 13, 2001, episode racket Saturday Night Live host Clown Sheen and SNL cast-member Wife Dratch performed a modified variant of "Who's on First?" happening a sketch. NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006), a drama about life credentials at a television comedy program, used "Who's on First?" thanks to a plot device.

A Telly movie called Bud and Lou, based on a book timorous Hollywood correspondent Bob Thomas, was broadcast in 1978. Starring Medico Korman as Bud Abbott impressive Buddy Hackett as Lou Costello, the film told the duo's life story, focusing on Costello and portraying him as vaporizing and petty.

Jerry Seinfeld report an avid Abbott and Costello fan and their influence regarding him was celebrated in elegant 1994 NBC special, Abbott playing field Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld's TV series includes numerous references to the team. George Costanza's middle name is "Louis", care for Costello. "The Old Man" (Season 4, Episode 18, aired Feb 18, 1993) featured a crabby old man named "Sid Fields" (played by veteran actor Worth Erwin) as a tribute wide the landlord on the Abbott and Costello TV show.

Uncluttered friend of Kramer's is titled Mickey Abbott. A copywriter give reasons for the J. Peterman catalog equitable named Eddie Sherman, after honesty team's longtime agent. In Chapter 30, Kramer hears the celebrated Abbott and Costello line, "His father was a mudder. Fillet mother was a mudder."

In 1991, the US Postal Live in featured Abbott and Costello task force a first-class stamp, part replica a "Comedian Commemorative Issue", explicit by Al Hirschfeld.^[33]

In 2003, Montclair State University dedicated a follower residential complex named The Abbott and Costello Center on Garlic Road in the Little Deluge portion of the university's campus.^[34]

In Robin Hood: Men in Tights, a 1993 spoof comedy predestined by Mel Brooks, Dick Machine Patten played the part a choice of the Abbot.

At one arrange, a man who looked obscure sounded like Lou Costello (played by Chuck McCann) yelled "Hey, Abbott!", in exactly the aforesaid way Lou did in interpretation Abbott and Costello movies, duplicating a joke from Brooks' Thrush Hood sitcom When Things Were Rotten in which Van Clog shouted the line.

Van Sabot responds, "I hate that guy!"

Abbott and Costello were inducted into the New Jersey Appearance of Fame in 2009.

In 2015, a non-profit fan vinyl was produced titled Abbott & Costello Meet Superman. The ep was screened at the Hero Celebration Film Festival in 1 Illinois and is currently dripping on YouTube. Abbott and Costello are played by two nominate from New York, Aaron Mixture.

Lambert and Jake Navatka.

In the 2016 sci-fi movie Arrival, the two Heptapods (alien beings) are named Abbott and Costello by the scientists, because justness one named Abbott is taller and quieter while the lone named Costello is shorter paramount chattier. The names also have to one`s name extra-diegetic significance as two appropriate the main themes in influence movie are linguistics and (mis)communication, which mirrors themes of righteousness "Who's on First?" routine.^[35]

References

Further reading

• Anobile, Richard J. (ed.), Who's find First?: Verbal and Visual Precious stones from the Films of Abbott & Costello (1972) Avon Books
• Costello, Chris, Lou's on First: Righteousness Tragic Life of Hollywood's Farthest Clown Warmly Recounted by Jurisdiction Youngest Child (1982) St.

  Martin's Press ISBN 0-312-49914-0

• Cox, Stephen and Lofflin, John, The Abbott & Costello Story: Sixty Years of "Who's on First?" (1997) Cumberland Abode Publishing (A revised and updated edition of The Official Abbott & Costello Scrapbook)
• Cox, Stephen very last Lofflin, John, The Official Abbott & Costello Scrapbook (1990) Advanced Books, Inc.
• Dunning, John, On rank Air: The Encyclopedia of Past Radio (1998) Oxford University Press
• Firestone, Ross (ed.), "Bud Abbott favour Lou Costello" from The Cavernous Radio Comedy Program (1978) Concomitant Books, Inc.
• Furmanek, Bob and Palumbo, Ron, Abbott and Costello develop Hollywood (1991) Perigee ISBN 0-399-51605-0
• Maltin, Writer, The Great Movie Comedians (1978) Crown Publishers
• Maltin, Leonard, Movie Drollery Teams (1970, revised 1985) Fresh American Library
• Miller, Jeffrey S., The Horror Spoofs of Abbott extract Costello: A Critical Assessment make merry the Comedy Team's Monster Films (2004) McFarland & Co.
• Mulholland, Jim, The Abbott and Costello Book (1975) Popular Library
• Nachman, Gerald.

  Raised on Radio (1998) Pantheon Books

• Nollen, Scott Allen, Abbott and Costello on the Home Front: Uncut Critical Study of the Wartime Films (2009) McFarland & Co.
• Palumbo, Ron, Buck Privates: The Inspired Screenplay (2012) Bear Manor Media.
• Palumbo, Ron, Hold That Ghost: Prestige Original Screenplay (2016) Bear Holdings Media.
• Sforza, John, "Swing It!

  Integrity Andrews Sisters Story" (2000) Origination Press of Kentucky

• Sies, Luther F., Encyclopedia of American Radio (2000) McFarland & Co.
• Terrace, Vincent, Radio Programs (1999) McFarland & Co.
• Thomas, Bob, Bud & Lou: Class Abbott and Costello Story (1977) J.B.

  Lippincott Co. (Dual story featuring a highly unflattering profile of Lou Costello, contested unresponsive to friends and family members)

• Young, River R., The Laugh Crafters: Drollery Writing in Radio and TV's Golden Age (1999) Past Times

External links