Customer Reviews

Abbott & Costello: Go to Mars [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Charles Lamont does a GREAT job directing this Abbott and Costello vehicle. The team spoofs the sci-fi film genre of the time in this film. Despite the film's title, they ACTUALLY land on Venus with two escaped convicts. A few of the film's highlights include the duo landing their spaceship in a wooded area outide the New Orleans city limits. Because it is Mardi Gras season, and everyone is wearing bizzare costumes, Bud & Lou UNWITTINGLY believe that they landed on Mars. Another highlight is the runaway ship's flight through New York City. And the scene where it looks like the spaceship is going to SMASH into the Statue of Liberty, and Lou YELLS for her to duck. Which she does-LITERALLY. This amusing scene has NEVER BEFORE been recaptured on film. This is Abbott & Costello at their VERY BEST.

Abbott and Costello don't really go to Mars; instead, they go to Venus, with a quick stop to New Orleans. While working at a missile base, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello inadvertently launch a rocket ship with themselves aboard. After a wild ride around New York City (the Statue of Liberty ducks when the rocket heads her way), Bud and Lou land in the outskirts of New Orleans. The boys are convinced that they've reached Mars, and their faith in this is affirmed when they come across several strangely costumed "creatures" (actually people dressed up in Mardi Gras costumes). Meanwhile, bank robbers stow away on Abbott and Costello's rocketship. When Bud and Lou return, the crooks force them to make a quick getaway into outer space. After several days of weightlessness, the four space travelers land on Venus, a planet populated by gorgeous woman. The Venusian's queen (Mari Blanchard) falls in love with Costello, only to order him and his companions to return to earth when Lou proves to be unfaithful.

Long considered the team's worst film, Abbott and Costello Go to Mars is rather likeable in its own way. The slapstick humor is a little dated at times, but it will still tickle your funny bone. A decent flick to watch on a Saturday afternoon.

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO GO TO MARS
Universal-International Pictures
Release Date: January 1, 1953.
Runtime: 77 minutes

Director:
Charles Lamont

Producer:
Howard Christie

Writing Credits:
D.D. Beauchamp
Howard Christie
John Grant

Cast:

Bud Abbott....Lester
Lou Costello....Orville
Robert Paige....Dr. Wilson
Mari Blanchard....Allura
Martha Hyer....Janie
Horace McMahon....Mugsy
Jack Kruschen....Harry
Jean Willes....Captain Olivia
Joe Kirk....Dr. Orvilla
Anita Ekberg....Venusain Guard
James Flavin....First Policeman in Bank
Jackie Loughery....Venusian Guard (Miss U.S.A.)

Music by:
Herman Stein
Henry Mancini
Milton Rosen

Cinematography by:
Clifford Stine

Film Editing by:
Russell F. Schoengarth

Set Decoration:
Russell A. Gausman
Julia Heron

Costume Design by:
Leah Rhodes

Assistant Director:
William Holland

Sound Department:
Leslie I. Carey
Robert Pritchard

Special Effects:
David S. Horsely

Other Crew:
Joseph Gershenson....musical director

Plot Summary:

While working at a missile base, Lester and Orville inadvertently launch a rocketship with themselves aboard. After a wild ride around New York City (the Statue of Liberty ducks when the rocket heads her way), Lester and Orville land in the outskirts of New Orleans. The boys are convinced that they've reached Mars, and their faith in this suppostion is affirmed when they come across several strangely costumed "creatures" (actually revellers at the Mardi Gras). Meanwhile, bank robbers Mugsy and Harry stow away on Lester and Orville's rocketship. When Lester and Orville return, the crooks force them to make a quick getaway into outer space. After several days of weightlessness, the four space travellers land on Venus, a planet populated by the gorgeous winners of the Miss Universe contest (including Anita Ekberg). Venusian queen Allura falls in love with Orville, only to order him and his companions to return to Earth when Orville prove to be unfaithful.

ROUTINES & HILARIOUS MOMENTS:
Orville impersonates Dr. Orvilla
Thrown around in a flying rocket
Seeing Martians at Mardi Gras
Limberger Cheese bit
Truth Balloons

Trivia (from imdb.com): A very young Harry Shearer appears as one of the boys seen near the beginning.

Goofs (from imdb.com): Continuity (1): They actually go to Venus. Continuity (2): When Orville and Dr. Orvilla are having a slapping fight, Dr. Wilson walks in and stops them. Dr. Orvilla is holding a briefcase, but in the next shot Orville is holding the briefcase.

ABBOTT & COSTELLO GO TO MARS is the Greatest ABBOTT & COSTELLO film of all time. It is so full of love,at times it is remanesant of Laurel & Hardy in BABES IN TOYLAND. GO TO MARS begins with the bungling premise that if Abbott & Costello could fly a blasting firey Rocketship into orbit,that they would certainly not land on Mars,but instead think that only they did. Landing in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season,and mistaking the inhabitants of New Orleans to be MARTIANS with their giant head costumes is shere and utter genious. Remember poor Lou trying to remove his helmet to breathe the Martian air,only to find out that it smells like limburger cheese????? It is very very cute. Then they get to visit another planet,called Venus,full of beautiful young girls!!! WOW!!!!! ABBOTT & COSTELLO GO TO MARS also benefits richly from a beautiful music score,peppy and full of life,similar to the type music eventually used in ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET THE KEYSTONE KOPS. It is a beautiful rich film,and like so many masterpieces with various faults,it constantly gets picked at by critics. Need I remind any of you,that it is one of the last good good Abbott & Costello movies before poor Lou began another boute with rumatic fever. Love the flesh colored costumes on girls from Venus as well. WOOO WOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ABBOTT & COSTELLO GO TO MARS is a gem. Right in line with the greatest Martian comedy of all....Ray Walston and John L. Greene's "MY FAVORITE MARTIAN". Well....this is MY FAVORITE Abbott and Costello. Let's ROCKET AND ROLL with Bud and Lou. It truly is a fun film,and highly highly recommened. Hey lady....DUCK....... David Vass. Babes In Toyland.

This is the best Abbott & Costello picture in my opinion.It was very funny to see the Space Ship fly all over New York City.A must see for all Abbott & Costello fans.

Abbott & Costello Go To Mars is a very amusing movie. Children will love this picture...I did when I was a child. It's very lighthearted...not so funny for the adult audience...but nevertheless should be referred to as a classic. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. The only reason I don't give it a better star rating is because it could've been funnier...not too many laugh out loud sequences but certainly plenty of amusement. A movie the whole family can sit and watch together.

Charles Lamont does a GREAT job directing this Abbott and Costello vehicle. The team spoofs the sci-fi film genre of the time in this film. Despite the film's title they ACTUALLY land on Venus with two escaped convicts. A few of the film's highlights includes the duo landing their spaceship in a wooded area outside the New Oreleans city limits. Because it is Mardi Gras season and everyone is wearing bizzare costumes, Bud & Lou UNWITTINGLY believe that they landed on Mars. Another highlight is the runaway ship's flight through New York City. And the scene where it looks like the spaceship is going to SMASH into the Statue of Liberty, Lou YELLS for her to duck. Which she does - LITERALLY. This amusing scene has NEVER BEFORE been recaptured on film. This A & C at their VERY BEST.

Orville is pretending to fly a model airplane to entertain some orphans. Something goes wrong and Orville hides in a truck. But there is a mistake in identification. The space ship has been completed, it remains to be tested. Supplies are loaded by Lester and Orville. The boys accidentally start the rocket and take-off. The scenes of the rocket flight are amusing. It flies through the Lincoln Tunnel but does not pay a toll! The rocket lands near New Orleans. When they go exploring two escaped convicts find the rocket ship. The space suits are mistaken for Mardi Gras outfits. [The speech tells something about popular culture.] The two convicts don space suits to rob a bank. Who will be blamed? The militia and citizens are searching the city.

The escaped convicts are on the rocket ship, and it flies off again. This time to Venus, according to the slide rule. Orville discovers the inhabitants of Venus in the palace. [Who keeps it clean?] The story becomes a farce. Orville becomes king, then is deposed. They will be sent back to earth. After they land there is a ticker tape parade, with one last joke.

I love all Bud and Lou pictures and I collect lots of classic comedy films. This is a film with fine set pieces, amusing scenes, and a nostalgic look. But it lacks creativity and inventiveness.

This was a nice movie.Abbott and Costello do not even go to mars.They go to Venus.There are some very funny scenes such as the electric chair.