Search - Buck Privates on DVD

Your In The Army Now!

Joe Libby | 01/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Made for peanuts, BUCK PRIVATES was a tremendous hit for Universal studios and firmly established Abbott and Costello as movie stars. Bud and Lou's routines are among their best; indeed, the film is really not much more than a string of burlesque routines held together by a simple plotline. "The Dice Game," "The Drill Routine," "You're 40, She's 10," and several others burlesque bits are here to keep you laughing. The romantic triangle plot is rather forgettable, although one can certainly understand why both Lee Bowman and Alan Curtis are pursuing lovely Jane Frazee. The Andrews Sisters contribute some great songs, including the immortal "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Dated but still very entertaining, BUCK PRIVATES delivered just what the movie going public needed in 1941. And it still delivers today."

Bounce Me Brother With a Solid Four!

Joe Libby | 08/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This great work of entertainment from l942 can be watched repeatedly and for different reasons. Sometimes I watch it just to catch the hysterical routines of our beloved A&C. The funniest is when Bud is trying to instruct Lou how to carry his rifle. Notice the tallest of the soldiers at the end of the row who can barely keep from screaming with laughter. His mouth trembles, he bows his head so you can't see his face, etc. Also, The Andrew Sisters are their peak, bouncing everybody with their classic, "Boogey-Woogie Boy" toe-tapping extravaganza with Patty dynamic. Even better in some ways is the fantastic "Bounce Me Brother With a Solid Four" which comes towards the end. Look at those jive-cats, circa l942 swing and sway and shake their groove thangs. This was a perfect antidote in that year because of the horrible news pouring in from war-torn Europe and Americans were over there risking life and life. Buck Privates moves so fast you're startled when it ends with "You're a Lucky Fellow Mr. Smith". You wanna just reverse and start it all over again. Bravo to Patty, Laverne and Maxine, not to mention Abbott and Costello."

Abbott and Costello meet the Andrew Sisters.

Joe Libby | 06/09/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Fun, World War II period piece. A & C in one of their best but the Andrew Sisters and the great swing music are what really set this apart. Just to hear and see "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Apple Blosson Time" is enough to recommend this movie. And don't miss the killer jitter-bug scene toward the end of the movie. It rocks! (Any of the so-called swing kids out there, worthy of their high-rise drapes, should already have this movie in their collection.) Also, don't miss Shemp Howard, sans Moe and Larry, as the mess cook."

ABBOTT & COSTELLO'S FIRST STARRING FILM

Joe Libby | 09/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Abbott & Costello's 2nd film and the first to give them star billing. The duo play "SLICKER SMITH" and "HERBIE BROWN" two sidewalk necktie salesmen who ACCIDENTLLY enlist in the Army to avoid getting arrested. When they try to evade a patrolman, they decide to hide in a VERY LONG of people outside a movie theatre. That's what the place WAS until the government turned into an Army Recruiting Station. In the end the boys, thinking that they were taking part in a ZANY raffle, are AMAZED to learn that they ACTUALLY enlisted in the Army. The two FUNNIEST highlights in this classic comedy are: (1) "THE DICE GAME". On the train carrying the new recruits to basic training camp, Lou walks in on Bud and his pals playing dice. Costello admits to being a novice in playing the game, so Abbott DECIDES to take ADVANTAGE of the situtation. After explaining to his partner the rules of the game, Abbott lets Lou join in. But throughout the entire game Costello SURPRISES Abbott with his knowledge of the gambling jargon such as "FADE THAT" and "LET IT RIDE". (2) THE DRILL ROUTINE. This is a VERY HILARIOUS scene, in which Bud TRIES to instruct his partner on carrying his rifle and learning how to march. (Pay CLOSE attention to the soldier on next to Lou, as he goes to GREAT LENGTHS to keep from laughing). [NOTE: I have reviewed OTHER FILMS under the heading "APLUS11@GALILEO.COM". If any viewer wants to write me concerning these reviews and any NEW reviews I make, they can write me at the following heading "ABBCOS@YAHOO.COM"]."