Customer Reviews

Abbott And Costello Meet Captain Kidd

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

 

 

To help put some skeptics at ease, these releases by Warner Archives are official releases regardless of their DVD-R format. For the most part they are no frills(maybe a trailer)with pretty decent picture and sound(certainly better than most have ever seen in any format), but not state of the art quality. This particular release of A&C meet Captain Kidd is not as bright(color wise)as I would have hoped but it is still very pleasing.

This is sort of a holly grail for A&C completist along with Rio Rita(also released by Warner Archives). I have had problems with certain titles in the past that were DVD-R, but Warner will send replacement for defective discs. Their policy changes frequently and sometimes they will send you a replacement without returning the item and others times they have you send the disc back and they will reimburse you for shipping charges. It's a bit of a pain in the A $$, but if you want these films in your library, then its a risk you'll have to take. The films are expensive, but Warner has us over a barrel. They do run sales now and then, so you can buy them cheaper then 19.99 if you can hold out.

The movie is a fun A&C adventure tale of high seas shenanigans with Charles Laughton giving his all as the title character. The film is only an hour and ten minutes long with Bud and Lou doing their usual routines, but a few too many musical numbers for my taste and for such a short film.

The Holy Grail of the A&C collection - for sure.
But, so too were Africa Screams and Jack & the Beanstalk, two other cheapies financed by the boys with dreadful results.
I scored a bootleg copy of the ... Meet Captain Kidd flick 12 months ago and it was S**T. Quality, colours, sound - just awful.
Then saw that it was to be screened on TCM (a feed we - unfortunately - are denied here in Australia.
My hopes raised.
Now I see it's about to be given a release through the WB Archives brand (a brand we are not legally allowed to purchase here in Australia).
So, I'm a fan of A & C - and Meet Captain Kidd is the last one to get hold of.
But - JEEEEEZ - $25 for a pretty cruddy outing that even the boys were embarrassed about?
And, I gather, no extras, no subtitles, and no menu?
As I state in my title of this "review before it's on the market"... I just hope the Estate of Abbott and Costello get to share in some of the dollars Warner Brothers will pull in from this release.
And "yes" - I've ordered a copy. And my wallet's $28 lighter (with freight & handling).

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET CAPTAIN KIDD (1952)
Warner Bros.
Release Date: December 27, 1952
Runtime: 70 minutes

Director:
Charles Lamont

Producer:
Alex Gottlieb

Writing Credits:
Howard Dimsdale
John Grant

Cast:

Bud Abbott....Rocky Stonebridge
Lou Costello....Oliver 'Puddin' Head' Johnson
Charles Laughton....Capt. William Kidd
Hillary Brooke....Captain Bonney
Fran Warren....Lady Jane
Bill Shirley....Bruce Martingale
Leif Erickson....Morgan
Syd Saylor....Waiter at Pub (uncredited)
Rex Lease....Waiter at Pub with Black Eye (uncredited)

Plot Summary:

Though out of favor with many Abbott and Costello buffs, "ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET CAPTAIN KIDD" is actually a lot of fun, so long as the viewer parks logic and dignity at the door. Captain Kidd is played by no less than Charles Laughton, who reportedly agreed to sign up for this film because he wanted to learn how to perform a comedy double-take.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are cast as Rocky and Puddin' Head, waiters at a pirate hangout on the island of Tortuga. Entrusted with a love letter written by the beautiful Lady Jane to cabaret singer Bruce Martingale, Puddin' Head manages to get this missive mixed up with a treasure map coveted by both Captain Kidd and his rival, lady pirate Captain Bonney. The upshot of all this finds Rocky, Puddin'Head, Lady Jane, and Bruce being shanghaied by Kidd, setting the stage for a climactic treasure hunt and chase on a faraway island.

Laughton takes to broad slapstick comedy like a fish to water; indeed, at times he's a lot funnier than Bud and Lou! Filmed in Cinecolor, "ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET CAPTAIN KIDD" was the second of the team's independent productions for Warner Bros. release; like the first, "JACK AND THE BEANSTALK" (1952), it was well recieved by the public.

ROUTINES & HILARIOUS MOMENTS:
Handcuff scene
Lou waiters mean Capt. Kidd
Digging holes while filling each others
Lou imitates Capt. Kidd

Bud and Lou are two waiters in a restraunt who find and hide the map to a treasure Captain Kidd(Charles Laughton)and rival Captain Bonnie(Hillary Brooke)want.
Captain Kidd and Captain Bonnie(Whos falling in love with Lou)take the boys along planning to get rid of them once the treasure is found.
Long Overdue on DVD.
Captain Kidd to Lou,Wheres the stern?Lou Front.Captain Kidd Wheres the bow?Lou In the back.Captain Kidd Wheres the port?Lou In the wine cabinet.
Its Bud and Lou VS Captain Kidd.
Note Charles Laughton had to take lessons from(Im not making this up)from Lou Costello before he did this movie.Imagine?

I Have been waiting for this movie to come out for years as Iam A&C fan
I just wish Warner Brothers would REMASTER Abbott & Costello Jack & The Beanstalk
They should have made it a Double Feature As they only made two color Features
Any way the quality is Just Great I Recomend it

Long awaited DVD version-This was Abbott,s baby ( Costello's was Jackand the Beanstalk). The laughs are few but the great actor Charles Laughton is having a ball. Nice to complete your collection with Rio Rita finally released at the same time.

This Vendor offered excellent prices and fast delivery, but no shipping discount for multiple purchases. So I just considered the shipping charges to be part of the price and the shipping to be free. Even with that, the prices were great.

I was very pleased to finally obtain this movie for my Abbott and Costello collection, along with "Rio Rita" and "Africa Screams" (in Color!), all from the same Vendor at excellent prices. Now all I need is "Dance With Me Henry".

The color in this movie was a little washed out and I'm not sure if it was the transfer or just the original product. This tile has been so hard to find at any price that I'm not going to be too picky about that. An enjoyable farce even if not one of their best movies. Charles Laughton and Hillary Brooke add to the fun.

I was first excited that this funny pirate film (teaming Abbott & Costello with the great Charles Laughton) was being released. Now, I'm disappointed that it's not a playable format for the American region's DVD players. PLEASE tell me there's a U.S. version available soon!