Storyline : Lost In A Harem
Pete Johnson and Harvey D. Garvey, two inept magicians on tour in the Middle Eastern kingdom of Barabeeha, help disenfranchised young Prince Ramo regain his throne from his devious Uncle Nimativ, who uses two magical hypnotic rings and ruthless methods to maintain his power. By posing as Hollywood talent scouts the boys break out of a dank dungeon with a deranged derelict, evade palace guards, elude the palace executioner, and avoid detection in the forbidden royal harem.
Storyline : Abbott & Costello In Hollywood
Buzz and Abercrombie are agents trying to get Jeff Parker the lead in a movie musical. Routines include Lou’s insomnia and his being unable to hear Bud due to his wearing an earplug. Lots of movie studio stuff.
Abbott & Costello Meet An MGM Musical with Jimmy Dorsey
Lost In A Harem is one of the best Abbott & Costello films for 3 reasons: One, unlike most of their films in the 1940s which were produced at Universal Studios. This one was done at MGM with that studios usual higher production standards, including a few spectacular musical numbers. Two, it is one of only about a dozen filmed appearances of big band great Jimmmy Dorsey, who performs, with his band, a number called John Silver (“15 men on a dead man’s chest”) which I haven’t found elsewhere, and a few other songs. Three, the “Pokomoko” routine (“Slowwwwly I turned, step by step I crept upon him . . .”) is done to perfection by A&C with Murray Leonard as the Derelict, which I’ve always remembered as one of my favorite A&C routines since I was ten years old. Furthermore, there’s a real live giant (Lock Martin), full costumes and exotic sets as you would expect from MGM, a magic skit by A&C, hypnotism, a fine performance from Douglas Dumbrille as the bad guy, and more good music. I would rate it below Abott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, In The Navy, In Society, The Naughty Nineties, and perhaps 3 or 4 others, but definitely in their top ten or twelve.
Boy Are You in Trouble, Prince
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