Abbott and Costello [Mass Market Paperback]

Furmanek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1991

The personal archivist of the Abbott and Costello estates and the founder of the Official Abbott and Costello Fan Club join forces to produce this definitive history of the timeless comedy team's fabulous film career. Drawing on studio archives, Bud and Lou's personal scrapbooks and more than 75 interviews, each of Abbott and Costello's 36 movies is described in remarkable detail, including cast and crew credits, synopsis, script excerpts, production notes, cut scenes, and final reviews. Also documented is the team's early career in burlesque and radio, as well as the years following their split. Includes over 150 rare, behind-the-scenes photos; an introduction by Jerry Lewis; foreword by Bud Abbott Jr. and Chris Costello, Lou's daughter; and the complete text of "Who's On First?"

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This single volume contains everthing one could possibly want to know about the films and lives of Abbott and Costello. Furmanek, archivist for both comedians' estates, and Palumbo, founder of the Abbott and Costello fan club, have compiled comprehensive listings for every film the pair made. They include credits, plot synopses, summaries of reviews, and fun facts about the scripts and casts in a level-headed look at two vaudevillians who became one of the most popular comedy teams in Hollywood history. The authors are appropriately critical of the duo's weaker vehicles, though blame is assigned not to the stars but the executives who refused to invest in top directors. "I'm just sorry that they really didn't turn Lou into a Chaplin," screenwriter Robert Lees is quoted as saying, "because they turned the pictures out like sausages." Informative and enjoyable, this book is essential reading for the duo's fans, and a surprisingly interesting retrospective for general film buffs.
- Kevin Sweeney, Chicago
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

As good a "Films of" book as it is possible to compile. It cannot be better. Highly recommended. -- Anthony Slide in Classic Images

Certainly the best and most exhaustive book about A&C yet to see print. An impressive piece of scholarship that's also lively, fun and completely absorbing. Abbott and Costello fans certainly need to own a copy; likewise anyone interested in film comedy and the sometimes-peculiar workings of the studio system. -- Filmfax

Certainly the best and most exhaustive book about A&C yet to see print. -- Filmfax

More details on the making of their films than any book I've ever seen. -- Leonard Maltin, Entertainment Tonight

More details on the making of their films than any book I've ever seen. -- Leonard Maltin, Entertainment Tonight

This is about as good a "Films of" book as it is possible to compile. It cannot be better. Highly recommended. -- Anthony Slide in Classic Images

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade (May 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399516050
• ISBN-13: 978-0399516054
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #685,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a real look into the making of A&C's Films!, March 31, 2003

By 

Kevin S.Butler (Mamaroneck,New York,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abbott and Costello (Mass Market Paperback)

For years..The fans of Abbott & Costello wanted to know how their classic film comedies were created.But very few books gave any real insight into how the movies evolved(The exception being..Leonard Maltin's"Movie Comedy Teams"and Jim Mullholland's"Abbott & Costello Book").But Finally those questions are answered in "Abbott & Costello In Hollywood!".This book written by the former president and founder of The Abbott & Costello Fan Club:Ron Palumbo and A&C & Jerry Lewis Archivist:Bob Furnemack uses indepth research,a large collections of rare photos and interviews from the many collegues,family members and friends of the team to show the creation,the evolution and the success of the team's films and tv series.The book also reveals that Bud And Lou were going to work on other projects that never came to fruition:A stage musical..In which they would clash with Universal Pictures most infamous monsters:"Dracula","The Wolfman"and "Frankenstein's Monster",A kids tv game show"Penny For Your Thoughts", another comedy/variety tv series and Lou producing some movies during his convelesence from Reumatic fever.The book also shows us some scenes from their films that were edited from the final release prints of the movies and more insight into what lead to the team's second and final breakup.For fans of A&C or for fans of comedy history..Who want to see the creation and evolution of classic comedy films and tv shows? This is one book worth having.Bravo Ron & Bob! Kevin S.Butler.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great tribute to a great team, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Abbott and Costello (Mass Market Paperback)

If only all film books could be as thorough and well-written as this one! There are so many behind-the-scenes details and photographs of the making of each of the team's classic films ("Buck Privates," "Hold That Ghost," "Time of Their Lives" and "A&C Meet Frankenstein" etc.) that you actually feel like a visitor on the set. Interviews with dozens of people who were there--including Hillary Brooke and the Andrews Sisters--make it all come alive. Fascinating chapters on the boys before and after Hollywood put their movie years in perspective. Also includes an index (thanks!) and a transcription of what is (I think) the best version of "Who's On First?" (from "Naughty Nineties"). An absolute must for A&C fans and classic Hollywood movie buffs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is a treasure for hard-core fans., March 31, 1999

By 

Mike Swanson (Elkhart, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abbott and Costello (Mass Market Paperback)

Abbott & Costello in Hollywood is a carefully researched compendium of the making of each of A & C's 36 films. Included are casts, script info, synopsis, and period reviews of each film. There are dozens of anecdotes from the people who were there and lots of info about deleted and added scenes that would only be of interest to the hard-core fan. If you really love A & C movies then this book is a treasure. If you're not a big fan, then you probably wouldn't be reading this anyway.