This clip is from Abbott and Costello’s 1941 film Hold That Ghost directed by Arthur Lubin, who also directed several other of the duo’s films including Buck Privates and In the Navy (also excellent). In the movie Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play waiters Chuck and Ferdie respectively at the Chez Glamour nightclub. Due to a series of circumstance they become the beneficiaries of a gangster’s will and inherit a haunted house.
For those of you unfamiliar with this brilliant duo, Abbott and Costello were a comedy team in the tradition of Laurel & Hardy, or Martin & Lewis. Budd Abbott was the straight man who frequently took advantage of of the baby faced Lou Costello, the idiot with the funny lines. I realize that the pair could not have worked without Abbot’s set up, but Costello is really the main attraction. When I watch these these films today I am constantly surprised and impressed by the skill with which he uses his body. I’m not simply referring to the big fall gags he does (banging into doors, sliding across the floor in a puddle of water etc), but smaller details, specifically the way he splays his stubby fingers when gesticulating and the manner in which he pouts his lips. They combine to really emphasize the boyish ineptitude of his characters.