Customer Reviews

Abbott & Costello: Mexican Hayride [VHS]

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

 

 

WORTH THE MONEY
WHO DINT LOVE THIS SHOW , THIS SHOW WAS GREAT
I LOVE THIS VHS, BRINGS BACK LAUGHTER AND MEMORYS AND YOU NEVER GET BORED WITH IT,

I think the movie was very funny. The story line was excellent. I own it and I would recommend this movie to anybody who likes Abbott and Costello. There are many funny and hilarious scenes, like when Costello tries to get dressed and the samba is playing at the same time. Buy it!

This one is a real stinker for several reasons. First, the gags are often dumb and Costello milks each one so they go on and on. Second, the story is a confused mess so you care about nothing. Third, The whole thing seems to go on forever and there's only one song! On the plus side, the silver ore routine, the bullfighting finale, and Bud tearing Lou's clothes off are all funny. But this dog out barks the few laughs.

Unfuuny, rahter pathetic entry for A+C; an inept version of the Cole Porter hit.

This film begins with a background painted to look like a stadium. Two American policemen are looking for suspects. There is a joke about garlic. We learn about a swindling racket. The bullfight begins. The crowd yells "Olé". Who will become the Amigo Americano? There is a joke about identity. Another joke with a fast-talking reporter. Are there tell-tale initials on clothing? "Silver or what?" Can a fragrance bring peace? Humphrey reads a speech. There is a plot about selling phony stocks. Songs provide a break from the plodding story. "I'm doing this for love." Will a ruse find the location of the cash? Will they catch Humphrey?

Will a food peddler help Lambert to escape? Yes, as a comedy. There is more comedy from a Mariachi musical group to pad out the story. Humphrey and Lambert are in disguise. Soon there is a chase. "I've never seen clowns like this." Who will dance to the music? Who gets the hat? Will the return of the money fix the problem?

This was based on a Cole Porter Broadway play. Was this a good idea? I think it was a mistake and not as funny as other comedies (like "Meet Frankenstein"). A story and script make a good movie. A&C forfeit sympathy as swindlers, but are funny as the swindled. Does the word "hayride" refer to some kind of swindle? [Did Marilyn Monroe have a small part as one of those four girls?]

Extremely dissapointing film with Bud and Lou heading south of the border(for some reason not made entirely clear). You'd think Mexico would be a gold mine for these guys, but they squander the oppurtunity. The main problem is that Costello tries to play it straight. A major dissappointment.

MEXICAN HAYRIDE (1948)
Universal International Pictures
Release Date: December 1948
Runtime: 77 minutes

Director:
Charles Barton

Producer:
Robert Arthur

Writing Credits:
Oscar Brodney
Dorthory Fields
Herbert Fields
John Grant
Cole Porter

CAST:
Bud Abbott.....Harry Lambert
Lou Costello....Joe Bascom aka Humphrey Fish
Argentina Brunetti....Indian Woman (uncredited)
Pedro de Cordoba.....Senor Martinez
Pat Costello....Plainclothesman Tim Williams
Fritz Feld....Professor Canzmeyer
Frank Fenton....Gus Adamson
Sid Fields....AP Reporter
Virgina Grey....Montana the Bullfighter, aka Mary
Reed Howes....Man (uncredited)
John Hubbard.....David Winthrop, American Embassy
Eddie Kane....Mr. Clarke, Mine Buyer (uncredited)
Joe Kirk....2nd Businessman (uncredited)
Luba Malina....Dagmar
Chris-Pin Martin....Mariachi Leader
Charles F. Miller.....Mr. Lewis (uncredited)
Tom Powers....Plainclothesman Ed Mason
Pedro Regas....Proprietor (uncredited)
Julian Rivero....Policeman at Ticket Seller's Booth (uncredited)

Music by:
Walter Scharf
Walter Schumann
Frank Skinner

Cinematography by:
Charles Van Enger

Film Editing by:
Frank Gross

Art Direction:
John DeCuir
Bernard Herzbrun

Set Decoration:
John P. Austin
Russell A. Gausman

Costume Design by:
Yvonne Woods

Sound Department:
Leslie I. Carey
Robert Pritchard

Other Crew:
David S. Horsley....special photography
Eugene Loring....dance director

Plot Summary:
Two con men sellling phony stock flee to Mexico ahead of the law, where they run into a woman friend from their earlier days, who is now a bullfighter.

ROUTINES & HILARIOUS MOMENTS:
Sid Fields interviews Lou
Lou's uncontrolable dancing fits
Taking "J.B." monograms off all clothing
Silver Ore routine
Lou fights bull

Abbott & Costello play two con-men friends, who have to prove that a phony goldmine exists. The FUNNIEST highlight of the film is the climatic bullfight sequence which pits Lou against a FERIOUS bull. Charles Barton does a fine job directing this A&C feature based on the Cole Porter musical (but without the songs).