Buck Privates (1941)

Two sidewalk peddlers (Bud Abbott, Lou Costello) on the run from the cops accidentally sign up to join the wartime army. Meanwhile, a rich playboy (Lee Bowman) is drafted but he expects his influential father (Douglas Wood) to get him out of the army. Directed by Arthur Lubin (FOOTSTEPS IN THE FOG). Abbott and Costello had made their film debut as supporting players in ONE NIGHT IN THE TROPICS (1940). They were such a hit that Universal made them the leads in BUCK PRIVATES which was originally intended as supporting comedic relief for them. This is one of their best vehicles and it ended up as Universal's highest grossing movie of 1941. In support are The Andrews Sisters, who perform two of their biggest hits: In Apple Blossom Time and the classic Oscar nominated Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Of Company B. There's some wonderful dancing sequences in the film, classic jitterbug and the Lindy Hop! You don't have to be an Abbott and Costello fan to enjoy this one. Good fun although the romantic subplot drags the film down a bit. With Jane Frazee, Alan Curtis and Nat Pendleton.