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Buck Privates (1941)

Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello Director: Arthur Lubin Rating: NR (Not Rated) Format: DVD
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

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Product Details

  • Actors: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lee Bowman, Alan Curtis, The Andrews Sisters
  • Directors: Arthur Lubin
  • Writers: Arthur T. Horman, John Grant
  • Producers: Alex Gottlieb
  • Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, NTSC
  • Language: English (PCM Mono)
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rating: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: Universal Studios
  • DVD Release Date: April 1, 1998
  • Run Time: 84 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6305077959
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,196 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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    #77 in  Movies & TV > Classics > Kids & Family > Abbott & Costello

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  • For more information about "Buck Privates" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Universal Studios hit box-office gold when they drafted vaudeville comedians and radio stars Bud Abbott and Lou Costello and turned them into one of the most successful screen teams of the 1940s and 1950s. After a tryout as supporting characters in the musical One Night in the Tropics, they starred in Buck Privates as con artists who accidentally enlist while hiding out from New York street cop Nat Pendleton. Naturally he winds up their drill sergeant and comic foil as they wreak havoc on the armed forces. It's vaudeville in fatigues, with the bare bones of a story provided by spoiled millionaire playboy Lee Bowman, his strapping All-American former chauffeur Alan Curtis, and the girl-next-door they both pursue, Jane Frazee. The lackluster subplot is directed with little verve by Arthur Lubin, and the film's energy comes completely from the snappy by-play of the comedians and Costello's flustered double takes and jumpy physical comedy (including a hilarious rifle drill in which the out-of-step soldier marches to the direction of a different compass). The Andrews Sisters sing "You're a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," among others, and future Stooge Shemp Howard shows where the "mess" in mess hall comes from as a cook on the receiving end of Costello's KP tomfoolery. This modest comedy became a smash hit and made Abbott and Costello Universal's most valuable commodity, prompting a quick follow-up with another peacetime armed forces comedy, In the Navy. --Sean Axmaker


Product Description

Those two crazy cutups, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, turn the military upside down when they accidentally enlist in the Army. This hilarious comedy highlights some of the duo's funniest bits and routines.

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Your In The Army Now!, January 9, 2000
By Joe Libby (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Abbott & Costello: Buck Privates [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Made for peanuts, BUCK PRIVATES was a tremendous hit for Universal studios and firmly established Abbott and Costello as movie stars. Bud and Lou's routines are among their best; indeed, the film is really not much more than a string of burlesque routines held together by a simple plotline. "The Dice Game," "The Drill Routine," "You're 40, She's 10," and several others burlesque bits are here to keep you laughing. The romantic triangle plot is rather forgettable, although one can certainly understand why both Lee Bowman and Alan Curtis are pursuing lovely Jane Frazee. The Andrews Sisters contribute some great songs, including the immortal "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Dated but still very entertaining, BUCK PRIVATES delivered just what the movie going public needed in 1941. And it still delivers today.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars ABBOTT & COSTELLO'S FIRST STARRING FILM, September 14, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Abbott & Costello: Buck Privates [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Abbott & Costello's 2nd film and the first to give them star billing. The duo play "SLICKER SMITH" and "HERBIE BROWN" two sidewalk necktie salesmen who ACCIDENTLLY enlist in the Army to avoid getting arrested. When they try to evade a patrolman, they decide to hide in a VERY LONG of people outside a movie theatre. That's what the place WAS until the government turned into an Army Recruiting Station. In the end the boys, thinking that they were taking part in a ZANY raffle, are AMAZED to learn that they ACTUALLY enlisted in the Army. The two FUNNIEST highlights in this classic comedy are: (1) "THE DICE GAME". On the train carrying the new recruits to basic training camp, Lou walks in on Bud and his pals playing dice. Costello admits to being a novice in playing the game, so Abbott DECIDES to take ADVANTAGE of the situtation. After explaining to his partner the rules of the game, Abbott lets Lou join in. But throughout the entire game Costello SURPRISES Abbott with his knowledge of the gambling jargon such as "FADE THAT" and "LET IT RIDE". (2) THE DRILL ROUTINE. This is a VERY HILARIOUS scene, in which Bud TRIES to instruct his partner on carrying his rifle and learning how to march. (Pay CLOSE attention to the soldier on next to Lou, as he goes to GREAT LENGTHS to keep from laughing).

[NOTE: I have reviewed OTHER FILMS under the heading "APLUS11@GALILEO.COM". If any viewer wants to write me concerning these reviews and any NEW reviews I make, they can write me at the following heading "ABBCOS@YAHOO.COM"].

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Bounce Me Brother With a Solid Four!, August 24, 1999
By A Customer
This great work of entertainment from l942 can be watched repeatedly and for different reasons. Sometimes I watch it just to catch the hysterical routines of our beloved A&C. The funniest is when Bud is trying to instruct Lou how to carry his rifle. Notice the tallest of the soldiers at the end of the row who can barely keep from screaming with laughter. His mouth trembles, he bows his head so you can't see his face, etc. Also, The Andrew Sisters are their peak, bouncing everybody with their classic, "Boogey-Woogie Boy" toe-tapping extravaganza with Patty dynamic. Even better in some ways is the fantastic "Bounce Me Brother With a Solid Four" which comes towards the end. Look at those jive-cats, circa l942 swing and sway and shake their groove thangs. This was a perfect antidote in that year because of the horrible news pouring in from war-torn Europe and Americans were over there risking life and life. Buck Privates moves so fast you're startled when it ends with "You're a Lucky Fellow Mr. Smith". You wanna just reverse and start it all over again. Bravo to Patty, Laverne and Maxine, not to mention Abbott and Costello.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome movie
As soon as I got this movie in I plugged it in at work (hospital) and everyone was laughing!! Good clean fun for all ages a classic and a must have!!!!!!
Published on November 21, 2007 by Heather Mckellips

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Fun
The Army has never been so much fun as when Bud and Lou sign up for their Uncle Sam. Made to capitalize on their sudden popularity, a fine cast and breezy tone overcome the... Read more
Published on August 5, 2007 by Bobby Underwood

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Andrews Sisters movie!
I loved this movie! Not because I'm a fan of Abbott and Costello, but because I'm a huge Andrews Sisters fan and they are featured very prominently in this film. Read more
Published on July 2, 2007 by L. K Reyes

4.0 out of 5 stars You're In The Army Now
This was the first big hit for Abbott & Costello. The boys are peddling ties on the street, and duck into an Army recruiting station to escape a policeman. Read more
Published on May 24, 2007 by Acute Observer

5.0 out of 5 stars THERE'S NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN 'BUCK PRIVATES'
IN A NUTSHELL: THE QUINTESSENTIAL ABBOTT & COSTELLO FEATURE FILM

'BUCK PRIVATES' is unquestionably one of the best Bud Abbott and Lou Costello films. Read more
Published on January 14, 2007 by Heather L. Parisi

5.0 out of 5 stars TEAM'S FIRST STARRING FILM
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's second film for Universal and the first in which they get star billing, has them playing two con men who ACCIDENTALLY enlist in the Army in order to... Read more
Published on July 22, 2005 by BILLY ANTIMISIARIS

3.0 out of 5 stars Running and Pushing??
It is my own reflections that you cannot judge the A and C Films in a singular way. If you watch just one of their best it looses its impact,rather, I suggest that you catch three... Read more
Published on May 10, 2004 by Charles Pope

1.0 out of 5 stars Not so funny
This guys maybe were funny in 1950 but today... Tons of cliches of old times comedy and nothing original. Better buy Stan and Laurel!
Published on May 16, 2003 by George

4.0 out of 5 stars Buck Up
In order to avoid arrest, A&C enlist in the army and get tangled in a romantic subplot involving a millionaire, his former valet, and a camp hostess. Read more
Published on June 29, 2002 by Charles Tatum

5.0 out of 5 stars The first army thought of comic relief.
When my adopted son went off to boot camp and later Korea, these movies were a must to beef-up moral: ABBOTT and COSTELLO in BUCK PRIVATES, BUCK PRIVATES COME HOME; and BILL... Read more
Published on September 3, 2000 by Long Island, East, member

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