The second of two colour musicals Abbott and Costello made for their own company; it is made in the same panto-style as Jack and the Beanstalk, with lots of crappy songs performed by a chorus, some juveniles who sing operetta, and a plot which centres most of the action on Costello with Abbot relegated to the sidelines.The most striking feature of the film is the fact Charles Laughton plays Captain Kidd – did Abbott and Costello ever have such a distinguished co-star? Laughton’s style doesn’t quite exactly mesh with the more ratta-tat-tat burlesque delivery of the stars, but he throws himself into it (he even does a jig) and it’s fascinating to see him perform scenes with Costello; in particular, they do a handcuff routine together that’s really funny. Also enjoyable is the female pirate who gets a crush on Costello (and he’s up for it too – no shy retiring violet in this one).
The romantic subplot is poorly integrated (he is a tavern singer who just happens to be shanghaied along with the pirates; she is a lady who just happens to be kidnapped by the pirates) and there is a lot of running around looking for a treasure. There was no real reason for Abbott to be in this one. At the end of the film, Costello winds up with the girl and is captain of a ship – his most triumphant ending?
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