Lou's on first -- again: Paterson celebrates the centennial of its favorite son, Lou Costello

Star Ledger ^ | 02.26.06 | LAWRENCE RAGONESE

[ferri]

thank you for the fan club site!!! woohoo!!! :)

[Daaave]

Abbott & Costello Go To Mars

I liked this one and "Abbott & Costello Meet The Wolfman."

[Daaave]

"I liked this one and "Abbott & Costello Meet The Wolfman."

I guess I meant Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein?

[BluesDuke]

There was a lot of comedians of that era that were terrific. I think the thing that separates them from later comedians are the years that most of them put in on the radio. On radio, the timing was everything.

Props to Lou Costello, and you can hit a number of online old-time radio forums and get the best of Abbott and Costello on radio. (Including the 1948 show, "The Baseball Player," which concludes with one of their best versions of "Who's on First.") But as much as I loved A&C, I'm afraid they (and an awful lot of others) were just a little outclassed by:

And...

I have a large collection of vintage radio comedy and love every entry in it, but there was comedy, and then there were Easy Aces (the link is to five classic scripts from this show, written by Goodman Ace) and Fred Allen. And, once upon a time, these two twains did indeed meet: from 1950-52, Fred Allen was the most frequent semi-regular on Tallulah Bankhead's last-gasp-of-classic-radio variety show, The Big Show...and Easy Aces mastermind Goodman Ace was the show's head writer. (Other semi-regulars included Groucho Marx, Ethel Merman, Joan Davis, Jimmy Durante, Danny Thomas, Ginger Rogers, George Jessel, and---believe it...or not---Margaret Truman.)

[BluesDuke]

The most underrated routine in the Abbott and Costello canon: "U-Drive."

Lou:  HHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYY AAABBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTT!!!!
Music - applause - whistling
Lou: Hey Abbott, Hey Abbott, Abbott!! (all excited)
Bud: Co-
Lou: Abbott!
Bud: Costello - Costello - Costello! Calm yourself!! Why are you so excited??
Lou: Hey Abbott!  I think the war is over!
Bud: OOhh, that's silly.  What makes you think the war is over?
Lou: I heard the lady next door talking back to her maid!  (lots of laughs)
Bud: Well, never mind that (Lou can be heard in the background talking and the audience is still laughing) - Yes (answering to him)  - Look  Never mind that Lou
Bud: Look, you know we have got to drive out to the 'eight-to-the-bar' ranch to see the Andrews sisters.  Now did you borrow Ken Miles' car?
Lou: Oh yeah, I borrowed it, just like you told me
Bud: Well, that's Swell
Lou: But I had a terrible accident Abbott
Bud:  What do you mean?
Lou: I upset it.  I gotta turn it over right away or Ken Miles wife won't like it!
Bud: well, we can do that when we come back from the Andrews Sisters' ranch
Lou: No, I gotta turn the car over right now or Mrs. Niles is going to be mad
Bud: I'll explain to Mrs. Niles.  Where is she?
Lou: She's under the car! (Audience laughs)
Bud: She under the car?? eh eh, is she in a coma??
Lou: No, she's wearing her evening gown!
Bud: Ohhh! Well then lets get Ken Niles to help us lift the car!
Lou: OOhh, Kenneth's in a good spot to help us
Bud: Fine! eh, where is he?
Lou: He's under the car too!
Bud: For goodness sakes!  How did this accident happen?
Lou: I bumped into another car Abbott, boy that driver was mad at me
Lou: He said ' for 2 cents, I'd punch you in the nose'
Bud: And what happened?
Lou: He ran up a bill of 8 dollars! (Lots of laughs from the audience!)
Bud: You were silly to argue with the driver! Why didn't you call a policeman?
Lou: I didn't have too - I hit one!
Bud: You hit a policeman?
Lou: I hit a policeman
Bud: You hit a Policeman in uniform?
Lou: No, I hit him right in the nose!
Bud: Ooh, this liable to spoil our whole trip to the Andrews Sisters ranch - eh, did the cop recognize you?
Lou: Yep
Bud: eh, could he swear to you?
Lou: yep - and I'd swear right back at him!
Lou: I said you old David Copperfield you tale of two cities you Oliver Twist
Bud: Why did you say that for?
Lou: I was giving him the Dickens.
Bud:  ohhh, this is a fine thing.  Now I have to straighten you out with that policeman.  Where is he?
Lou: He's under the car too!
Bud: What are they all doing under the car?
Lou: Have you looked for an apartment lately?
Bud: oh oh - uh oh, here comes Mr. and Mrs. Niles.  Better beat it Costello!
Mrs. Niles:  Oh no you don't ! You fat headed, flabby, car flipping fool!  Do you realise you left me out there under the car holding up my rumble seat**
Mrs. Niles:  Don't stand there like an idiot, what have you got to say?
Lou: Good Morning Mrs. Niles (Thought she was wearing her evening gown!)
Mrs. Niles:  Don't  'good morning' me!
Lou:  Good night Mrs. Niles! That day went fast didn't it? (lots of laughs from audience!)
Bud:  Costello!  Why did you leave Mrs. Niles under the back seat of her car?
Lou: Well, isn't that where they always keep the crank?
Mrs. Niles: Kenneth...
Lou: (after audience stops laughing) <shouts> (Probably an add-lib) You had it coming Mrs. Niles!
Bud:  No no. Be nice Lou.
Mrs. Niles: (continuing from her last sentence) Kenneth, Say something
Mr. Niles:  Well, alright...I er...Just a minute now you worm
Lou, Bud mumble together.  Bud:  Alright alright - please.  Lou:  Go ahead, go ahead ball me out kid!  You're supposed to
Mr. Niles:  (trying not to laugh) You're trying to wiggle out of this!  What about me?  Look at my suit!  I'm a mess!
Lou: Niles!  Without looking at your suit, you're a mess!
Mr. Niles: But look at the spots all over my suit!
Lou: Well throw away the suit and wear the spots
Mrs. Niles:  Oh Costello.  I've had enough.  We're going out to get the policeman and sue you for damages!
Bud:  Damages?  But Mrs. Niles, did you get hurt??
Mrs. Niles:  Did I get hurt?  I have a big scratch on my crazybone 
Lou: Put your hat on and no one will notice it!!  AHAA!!
Mrs. Niles: Ooooh!!  Come Kenneth!
Lou: Hey, come on Abbott, think fast I gotta get out of here before they come back with the cop
Bud: ohh, you can cause more trouble!  We were going to the eight-to-the-bar-ranch to ask the Andrews Sisters to appear on our show.  And YOU wrecked the car we were going to use!  Well, now we'll have to rent a car
Lou: Well, lets get another car! (the boys pick up momentum here and it's fast paced and funny - audience are laughing throughout))
Bud: We'll have to!
Lou: But where can we get one?
Bud: A U drive
Lou: Me drive?
Bud:  No...U drive!
Lou: I said I'd drive
Bud: You don't drive it.  I drive it
Lou: drive what?
Bud: A U drive
Lou: Why should I drive when you wanna drive?
Bud: I'm going to drive!  Look Costello, I'm renting a U drive and I  drive it
Lou: Oh then we both drive it
Bud: No, we do nothing of the kind.  I drive it.  When I say U drive, I don't mean *you* drive, I mean that I drive although it's a U drive
Lou:  When you say U drive, you don't mean me drive?
Bud: no
Lou: you mean 'you drive' because I don't drive
Bud: Now you've got it!
Lou:  Now I got it?  I don't even know what I'm talking about!
Lou:  Now look Abbott.  You go to a place and you are going to rent a car?
Bud: Yes
Lou: You are driving a car?
Bud: Yes
Lou: Where am I sitting?
Bud: You are sitting right next to me
Lou: Is there a steering wheel in front of me?
Bud: No!
Lou: And you are positive that I am not driving?
Bud: I'm positive!
Lou: And you are driving the car?
Bud: Yes!
Lou: Alright, what kind of a car you are driving?
Bud: U DRIVE!
Lou: somebody better be driving!
Bud: No no no...look please.  I am trying to explain this. We go and rent a car
Lou: right, now where we gonna get it?
Bud: U drive company.
Lou: Now I drive company. (shouts) I thought we were going alone!
Bud: You don't understand!!  It's Hertz U drive
Lou: Well, if it hurts, *you* drive
Bud: That is right!
Lou: That's right??  This is getting worse!
Bud: Don't you see?  the head of the company's Hertz
Lou: That's to bad, what hurts him?
Bud: Nothing hurts him! Look every company has to have a head (Abbott is laughing now!)
Lou: Naturally!
Bud: Now this company's head's Hertz
Lou: Oh!  Why doesn't he take an asprin?
Bud: Listen.  It's Hertz U drive - ALL over the country
Lou: Well if it hurts to drive all over the country why should I drive and get hurt?
Bud: You don't get hurt!
Lou: (child whine) - IIII'm not going to get hurt
Bud: You don't get hurt Costello!
Lou: Nobody's gonna hurt meeee!!
Bud: That's right. You're not going to get hurt
Lou:  I'm not a fool to get hurt
Bud: You're not going to get hurt. It's the Hertz company!
Lou: (understanding now) Oh the Hertz company!
Lou: (really messes up the routine now!) I still...I still...Look Abbott...I...Am I mixed up!!
Bud: Alright.  It's very simple!
Lou: Look Abbott - thank you boy! look Abbott
Bud: alright
Audience has twigged and they are talking over laughter
Bud: Now...
Lou: I don't want to hurt nobody
Bud: Will you listen to me please (Abbott, being the great straight-man displaying his skills here) - the man's name is...
But it's too late, the audience starts applauding and cheers.
Bud:  Look, Lou, please...look, take it easy..the man's name is Hertz, he rents cars.  U Drive.  It's the U drive all over the country
Lou: U drive all over the country?  Not with that O. P.A. brother
Bud: What are you talking about?
Lou: That's why I can't go,  O.P.A.
Bud:  What do you mean O.P.A
Lou: Only a Puny "A" Card!!
Bud: Get outta here!!

[Bear_Slayer]

Amazing!

I can hear Bud & Lou's characters in that.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the link. You're right about many outclassing A&C. I was young when radio was in full swing just before TV was really established. I do remember some of the shows but I was too young to appreciate the comedy at that time. My grandmother never missed listening to The Whistler and Fibber McGee & Molly.

My wife and I went to a show in West Covina at a new theater-in-the-round in the late 60's and saw Jimmy Durante, he was getting up in years but put on a great show.

[jimfree]

My wife and I went to a show in West Covina at a new theater-in-the-round in the late 60's and saw Jimmy Durante, he was getting up in years but put on a great show.

Was that at the Huddle?

[jazusamo]

The Huddle rings a bell but I can't place it, it's been a long time. I believe The Theater-In-The-Round was the name of the theater. It was at the San Bernadino Freeway and Barranca, I believe. It was torn down in the late 70's I think.

[jimfree]

The Huddle rings a bell but I can't place it, it's been a long time. I believe The Theater-In-The-Round was the name of the theater. It was at the San Bernadino Freeway and Barranca, I believe. It was torn down in the late 70's I think.

That's the place. It was in front of the shopping center with the May Company and the Clifton's Cafeteria. I went to a performance of Carousel at the same theater. It was earlier a nightclub called the Huddle.

[jimfree]

It was earlier a nightclub called the Huddle.

Or was it later?

[jazusamo]

Glad you replied, it's been bugging me. You're right, but I believe the Huddle and some other restaurants were put in after the theater was torn down. I think the area was referred to as restaurant row.

[wtc911]

imo.....Hold That Ghost was the best they ever did.

[linda_22003]

I liked her cooking tips. "I put a little roast and a big roast in the oven. When the little one burns, I know the big one is done."

[Coleus]

I used to be a member, I think I'll join again...

[Coleus]

Friday, March 3, 2006

A century of Lou Abbott's bud is Paterson's favorite son     Onstage, he embodied comedy. Offstage, he embodied generosity. And behind the curtain, he embodied tragedy.     The world got to see all sides of Lou Costello, whose hundredth birthday is Monday. And although Paterson's favorite son is long gone, the image of this pudgy, excitable man is still crystal-clear to those who grew up watching him and Bud Abbott have at it.     And it seems that everyone in Paterson was Lou Costello's friend. This weekend, Costello's friends (meaning everybody who wants to come) will get together for a three-day birthday bash. The story Lou stands guard over a little corner of Paterson     For now, just more than a week from Paterson's celebration of the comedian's birthday centennial, the pigeons reign. They also rain. The story

The Lou Costello Jr. Youth Foundation, which Lou Costello and Bud Abbott built in East Los Angeles at the reputed cost of $350,000, was presented as a model for other communities to follow when it was documented in the 1948 short film “10,000 Kids and a Cop.” . (You must disable pop-up blocking in order to view the clip)	Audio of Abbot & Costello's most famous comedy skits, including three versions of "Who's on First?" and much more, can be found on AbbottAndCostello.net.

REMEMBERING LOU Birthday celebrations for Lou Costello will be held today, Saturday and Sunday at several Paterson locations. Saturday: Fans will meet at John F. Kennedy High School, 61-127 Preakness Ave., for a screening of “10,000 Kids and a Cop,” a 1948 short movie that Abbott and Costello made about the East Los Angeles youth center they opened for underprivileged children. The 28-minute film was recently unearthed by the Costello family and restored by the Fort Lee Film Commission. Special guests include Abbott and Costello impersonators Lou Sciara and Gil “Bud” Palmer; radio personality Joe Franklin; and Lou Costello’s youngest daughter, Chris Costello. Free. 1 p.m. Sunday: The annual wreath-laying ceremony will be held at Lou Costello Memorial Park, Cianci and Ellison streets. Free. 10 a.m. An 11 a.m. memorial Mass for Costello will follow at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 138 Beech St. Monday: The Brownstone, 351 Broadway, will host a fundraiser for the Lou Costello Paterson Youth Foundation. 7 p.m. $100 per person. Call (973) 595-8582 or (800) 464-8582 for directions. For information on any event, call (973) 900-4069 or e-mail ejf@greatfallspublishing.com . Also through March, the Paterson Museum, 2 Market St., will showcase student art inspired by Abbott and Costello. Call (973) 321-1260 for times and directions. Printable list of events

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DID YOU KNOW:
... That Lou really *was* a "baaaaaaad boy?"
... That Lou was slender as a young man?
... That "Who's on First Avenue" was almost a real place?
Read fun facts, trivia and quotes about Lou

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-- Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)
-- Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955)
-- Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953)
-- Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)
-- Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (1952)
-- Jack and the Beanstalk (1952)
-- Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951 -- Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950)
-- Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949)
-- Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
-- Buck Privates Come Home (1947)
-- The Time of Their Lives (1946)
-- Little Giant (1946)
-- Abbott and Costello in Hollywood (1945)
-- Hold That Ghost (1941)
-- In the Navy (1941)
-- Buck Privates (1941)

Complete list of films

Source: Internet Movie Database

Nearly half a century after he died, Paterson is no longer the way Lou Costello knew it. While spots bear his name, Costello’s own haunts — the Fabian Theater; the Alexander Hamilton Hotel; the Paterson Armory — are mostly shuttered. Still, it doesn’t take much to picture the Paterson that Lou loved. It’s smaller than people might think.	1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Get driving directions to these locations

[stylecouncilor]

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