August 2021 Film Club Pick
It is August, the sun has been shining, the birds have been singing, and all the “Spirit of Halloween” stores have begun popping up everywhere… What? Too soon? For those of us who love all things ‘autumnal,’ August is the perfect transitional month to begin prepping for the fall, so what better way to celebrate the coming change in seasons than with a lighthearted “horror” comedy? Our August Film Club selection is the campily spooktacular “horror” comedy Hold That Ghost, which just happens to be celebrating its 80th release anniversary this month, having premiered August 6, 1941!
In case you haven’t heard of this film before, it is a classic Hollywood “B movie” starring the iconic comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, in what is arguably one of the finest comedic film performances. Having begun their film career in 1940 with supporting roles in the Universal picture One Night in the Tropics (released November 15, 1940), Hold That Ghost was technically the fourth film Abbott and Costello released through their contract with Universal, but it was actually released out of production order. Originally, the film (under the working title of “Oh, Charley!”) was put into production right after the release of their first starring film, Buck Privates (premiering January 31, 1941). However, the studio was not prepared for what a hit Buck Privates would become, earning the studio several million dollars, and launching the film career of this comedic duo, who had found comedy success much earlier via their performances in burlesque, vaudeville, and radio (and eventually TV too!).
While the bulk of the production on Hold that Ghost had been completed from February to March of 1941, the film was pushed off in favor of the comedy team working on another formulaic ‘service comedy,’ In the Navy (released May 30, 1941). This allowed the studio to re-shoot and add elements to the beginning and ending of Hold that Ghost to more closely follow the ‘song and dance’ formula that their previous films, like Buck Privates, had established. It should be of no surprise that Hold that Ghost includes some gratuitous musical sequences featuring The Andrews Sisters, plus Ted Lewis and his orchestra, but unlike their other service comedies Hold that Ghost is far more narrative driven in terms of the centralized plot featured within the film. (The duo would even go on to release another service comedy, Keep ‘Em Flying [premiering November 28, 1941], right after the release of Hold That Ghost. In fact, all four of Abbott and Costello’s 1941 movie releases, including their three other service comedies, proved to be very successful and further cemented their film careers and stardom.)
Hold That Ghost focuses on the antics and narrative of two bumbling waiters (and occasional gas station attendants), Ferdie (Costello) and Chuck (Abbott), who get swept up into an unexpected mystery when a well-known gangster leaves them his entire ‘fortune’ and ‘estate’ at his untimely death. When the ‘estate’ turns out the be a derelict roadside tavern, and the ‘fortune’ appears to be gone, this pair of friends is not prepared for the hilariously ‘nightmarish’ events that are about to unfold, but I am certain that viewers will still delight in Abbott and Costello’s ridiculous antics and absolute comedic gold.
Ready for Fall or not, the coming ‘Halloween season’ will be swiftly upon us, so we hope that you will appreciate some lighthearted ‘horror’ humor and join us in watching our August Film Club pick to get a jump start on the next season. Happy Haunting!... er… Watching!
What is your favorite season? How many Abbott and Costello films have you seen before? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to check back soon for more posts!
Copyright © 2021 Sarah Crane
