Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0755362040194
Format: Black & White, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, NTSC
Label: SHANACHIE
Manufacturer: SHANACHIE
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: SHANACHIE
Release Date: February 23, 1999
Running Time: 110 minutes
Sales Rank: 79968
Studio: SHANACHIE
Theatrical Release Date: 1950
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are one of the funniest comedy teams of all time. And this disc, featuring four episodes of The Abbot and Costello Show from the 1952-53 season is certainly proof of that. Most of the episodes begin with Bud and Lou onstage in front of an audience, providing an introduction to each story. The episodes themselves are stand-alone classics, but the plot lines frame famous Abbot and Costello sketches. The disc is formatted with menus so that you can play each episode or skip to the routines.
The four episodes featured in this volume, 'Duck Dinner,' 'Hillary's Birthday,' 'Million Dollar Refund,' and 'Actor's Home,' are heavy on physical comedy and rely on familiar supporting characters such as Mike the Cop, Bacciagalupe, and Mr. Fields to propel the stories. In the final episode, 'Actor's Home,' we are treated with a cameo appearance from comedian Joe Besser (previous to his joining the Three Stooges) as well as a brilliant performance of 'Who's on First.'
The fact that Abbot and Costello always appear to be in on the gags with their audience (breaking the 'fourth wall' with humorous 'see what I've gotten myself into now' looks and comments) only adds to the performances. It's also interesting to note that the low-grade special effects and highbrow comedy, which so encompassed the age when these shows were originally filmed, can still entertain audiences all these years later, proving that this pair of comedians, and their style of comedy, is timeless. --Zachary Lively
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - big fan
I'm a big fan of abbot and costello since I was a kid and seening these shows again and again is great fun for me.right now I'm going to buy vol.8 to 12
Rating:  - Half good, half excellent
I have an old LP record (remember those?) of Abbot & Costello's "Who's on First?" routine, plus other A & C routines that I really don't remember very well. "Who's on First" is a great classic, and is the reason I purchased this DVD (the audio-only version does not appear to be available anymore). Although the W-o-F routine on this DVD isn't exactly the one from my old record, it is certainly close enough, and still very funny. It is nice to be able to actually SEE the routine, so I'm glad I got the DVD. The rest of the DVD contains shows that definitely have their moments. "Duck Dinner" and "Million Dollar Refund" are very good, in particular. It is refreshing to see actual TALENT in comedy! It was difficult to decide between 4 and 5 stars for this one, so it is probably best to consider my rating as 4 and a half stars.
Rating:  - Great DVD, but.......................
This is a great DVD, but there should be more shows then the the four. That's probalbly the only reason I wouldn't purchase any more of these DVD's. Either include more episodes or lower the price!!
Rating: - Abbott & Costello Vol 1 (1952-53)
Great comedy. Quality very good. It's too bad that comedy today does not follow the format. Those were the days when people actually had to have talent! If you're a A&C fan, this is a must to have.
Rating: - 5 stars are not enough!
From the minute Abbott and Costello hit the screen to the end credits on this four show set (and each additional set) we are able to witness the end of a great american art form called Burlesque. And Abbott and Costello were easily the greatest surviving exponents of that style comedy. Besides being the absolute best comedy team ever the "boys" are smart enough to give us maybe the best supporting cast ever assembled in a comedy series. First there is the brilliant Sid Fields. Not only does he do multiple duty playing a vast assortment of (always) funny characters but he even wrote the series to boot! And if that weren't enough we have Joe Besser the ex stooge (or was he a stooge after this) playing arguably the funniest fifty year old kid ever! Then there's Hilary Brook who combines timing and beauty as well as maybe being the greatest "straight" woman ever! Filling out the cast is Joe Kirk who also plays several characters and Mike the cop. Both are excellent foils for Lou. After those players you will see many of your favorite character actors and actresses from the fifties such as Gloria De Heaven, Jane Frazee, Phyllis Coates, and many others. Sadly the show ran for only two years and was cancelled. It's a tribute to Lou's brilliance as a business man that he insisted that the boys have ownership of the series after they ran once. In fact Lou forced Bud Abbott to do the series as well. Seems Lou the "dumb" one was actually the mastermind behind the team and made very smart creative decisions. ... Read More
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