Would you hire Abbott and Costello to be baby-sitters? That’s how this story starts – the two of them are assigned to look after a bratty problem child, during the course of which Costello tells him the story “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Cue dream sequence and colour photography – for the first time in an Abbott and Costello film. (Mostly this did not matter – Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein for instance would only have worked in black and white - but some of their other films cried out for colour: One Night in the Tropics, Pardon My Sarong, Mexican Hayride). Colour totally suits this movie, in which Costello is perfectly cast as the dimwitted Jack – as is Abbott as the nasty character who sells him beans.This is a bright, entertaining movie, perfect for kids – well, those who don’t mind hokey 50s sets and what-not. There are some okay songs in the vein of a crappy kids theatre musical, Costello is put on the spit, a final chase from the giant (which does go on a bit). The giant is played by Buddy Baer who was in Africa Screams; his physical qualities are used to a far greater degree here. Occasionally things seem padded and the romantic lead couple are weak, but it is good natured and fun.
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