Movie review – A&C #4 – “Hold That Ghost” (1941) ***

Universal launched Abbott and Costello in a series of sure-fire vehicles – making them featured players in a musical, then starring them in a services comedy, then putting them in a haunted house comedy. This was the haunted house comedy, but during shooting Buck Privates came out and was such a success that this one’s release was delayed so that the studio could make another service comedy, In the Navy. The studio also requested additional scenes shot for Hold That Ghost incorporating the Andrews Sisters, hence the opening and closing sequences at a nightclub with a rather spooky MC Ted Lewis (who sings “Me and My Shadow” with a black man standing behind him) and Abbott and Costello as waiters. They get fired and our heroes go work at a gas station – the point at which the original cut of the movie presumably began. They’re with a gangster when he is killed – according to the gangster’s will, they inherit his property (which is a bit of a stretch). The property is a haunted house, and our duo wind up there with a couple of strangers, including some baddies.

The supporting cast is strong. There’s a charming romance between scream queen Evelyn Ankers and bespectacled Richard Carlson, and a hilarious performance from Joan Davis who matches Costello scream for scream. Most of the plot consists of Costello being frightened and running around the house. The house is a neat concoction – it used to be employed as a speakeasy in prohibition so has lots of nooks and crannies (there’s a lovely moment where Davis and Abbott reminisce about prohibition). This has the reputation as one of the best Abbott and Costellos; while I enjoyed it I wouldn’t go that far – too much just running around being scared (in the vein of Cat and the Canary but without that film’s atmosphere); gangsters aren’t as threatening or effective as later vampires, etc would be.