BY HOWARD ARKIN
In the upcoming months it is
probable that we will be spending
a great deal of time isolated
in our apartments. To help pass
some of that time, the North Shore
Towers Men’s Club recently sponsored
the first of what we hope will
be many programs on North Shore
Towers Channel 995.
On September 23, we had noted
lecturer and film producer Keith
Crocker discussing the life and times
of Abbott and Costello. Keith has
appeared before the Men’s Club on
previous occasions to discuss the I
Love Lucy Show, the Ed Sullivan
Show, as well as various comedians
from years ago. For those of you
who may have missed Keith’s most
recent lecture, let me fill you in.
Both Bud Abbott and Lou
Costello were born in New Jersey.
Abbott was born in Asbury Park
in 1897 and Costello was born in
Paterson in 1906. With deference to
Frankie Valli, this may have made
them the original “Jersey Boys.”
Their partnership had an accidental
start—in 1931, while performing
in a Brooklyn theater, Costello’s
straight man (his wife) fell ill and
Abbott stepped in to replace her.
The chemistry was apparent and
the team of Abbott and Costello
was born.
The scope of Abbott and
Costello’s talents encompassed
vaudeville, radio, television and
movies, a feat which very few
entertainers were able to accomplish.
They initially worked the
burlesque and vaudeville circuits
throughout the 1930’s, and in 1938
made their first radio appearance on
The Kate Smith Show. They were so
sensational on radio that they were
signed to their first movie contract
by Universal Studios and another
phase of their careers took hold.
It was during World War II that
“the boys” would reach the zenith
of their careers with films such
as “Buck Privates,” “Keep Them
Flying” and “In the Navy.”
It was the 1945 film, “The Naughty
Nineties,” in which they performed
the routine for which I think they
are best remembered, that of course
being the “Who’s on First” skit. For
those of you who are unfamiliar
with that iconic exchange, you can
see it on YouTube. Seeing it as a 10
year old I thought it was hilarious.
But 70 years later?
Both Abbott and Costello had
some problems in their personal
lives, drinking and gambling being
among them. After the war, the
IRS “came-a-knocking,” forcing
both men to lose their homes and
quite a bit more. Some of their fortune
was recouped with the 1948
film, “Abbott and Costello Meet
Frankenstein.” Other successful
films such as “Abbott and Costello
Meet the Keystone Cops,” “Abbott
and Costello Meet Jekyll and Hyde”
and “Abbott and Costello Meet the
Mummy” followed. Their final film
was “Dance with Me, Henry” in
1956.
In the final years of their lives they
did not work together. Costello did
some standup comedy and appeared
on the Steve Allen Show. Abbott
did some voiceovers for Hanna-
Barbera animated films. Costello
died in 1959 at the young age of 53
and Abbott passed away in 1974 at
the age of 76.
We’re looking forward to Jerry
getting Keith back again for another
lecture. I’m hopeful that the pandemic
will be a thing of the past and
that next time it will be live.
MEN’S CLUB UPDATE
Who’s on First?
Abbott and Costello
GREENTHAL
Property Sales, Inc./Property Management
2020
272-40 Grand Central Pkwy.
November Floral Park, NY 11005
(718) 423-3130/(718) 423-3335
Fax: (718) 279-0162
www.nstowers.com
¢COURIER TOWERS SHORE Martin Ragusa Video Technician/Consultant
NORTH SHORE TOWERS
NORTH 272-59 Grand Central Pkwy. Floral Park, N.Y. 11005
Tel. 516-328-2113 • 718-279-4595
270-10 Grand Central Parkway
30 Fax. 718-279-4597 • Email. pmprod@optonline.net
Floral Park, NY 11005 Errol A. Brett
Attorney At LAw
26910 grand central parkway
suite a6
floral park, ny 11005
Tel: 718-631-7733
Fax: 718-631-7765
NST CAR SPA
718-279-1314
Auto Detailing - Hand Car Wash
Auto Body - Mechanical Repairs
/www.nstowers.com
link
/www.nstowers.com
link
