The Naughty Nineties

This is definitely Abbott and Costello's best movie. Loads of hilarious antics and slapstick, plus "Who's on First?" is one of the funniest scenes on film. I thought this movie was better than "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (generally seen as their best film).

Abbott & Costello play Dexter Broadhurst & Sebastian Dinwiddle, two actors on the River Queen, a boat on the Mississippi river during the 1890's under the command of Captain Sam Jackson(played by Henry Travers) that he loses ownership of to a trio of conniving cardsharps who proceed to turn it into a crooked gambling house. The boys then become determined to thwart their plan, and restore ownership to Captain Jackson. Oddly flat period costume comedy is only remembered for putting their hilarious and immortal "Who's On First?" routine on screen complete to live forever. Aside from that admirable distinction, this film is pretty forgettable.

Another great Abbott and Costello movie, immortalized by the famous "Who's on first?" routine. The movie's excellent second half compensate for slow beginning. Lots of funny skits. Like the one with the 33 always coming back at the roulette table. At 76 minutes, this slap stick comedy is fun to watch. Out of 100, I give it 80. That's good for *** out of ****.

In the 1890s, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello (as Dexter Broadhurst and Sebastian Dinwiddle) are entertainers on a Mississippi River showboat. The captain of "The River Queen" Henry Travers (as Sam Jackson) loses a percentage of his ownership to some unscrupulous gamblers. So, Abbott and Costello lend him their comic hands. Considering the money they were making for Universal, this is a surprisingly slipshod production for the comedy duo. It consists of haphazard routines, tossed in with an irrelevant plot and an ending chase scene. Marx Brothers bits, and even Buster Keaton's "House Falling" scene, are tossed into the mix. The deservedly famous "Who's on First?" stand-up is cheaply dressed; this is not, as touted, their best version of the routine. But, the "Cat Eating" is very well done; helping make the total package medium, if not rare. ***** The Naughty Nineties (6/20/45) Jean Yarbrough ~ Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Alan Curtis, Rita Johnson

If you want the complete, though edited, "Who's On First" script, here it is! ("I don't give a damn" is "I don't care" in this one). Henry Travers as good ol' Capt'n Sam Jackson of the River Queen is slipped a Mickey Finn and, in a crooked poker game, ends up losing control over the honestly-run river boat -- and losing it to 'shudder' dishonest gamblers. One for the entire family. Watch the show, relax, and enjoy this glimpse of the 1890s (Well, for the boys that was only fifty years ago...).

Naughty Nineties, The (1945) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Abbott and Costello working on a riverboat when a group of gamblers try and take it over. There's very little story here but instead there are countless skits including Who's On First. I'm really not sure why this gets so many negative ratings in various movie books because I think this is one of the duo's best films. There are non-stop gags and for the most part all of them are wonderful. Costello fighting the bear is a highlight as is the terrific cat scene. Nothing else needs to be said about the Who's On First gag, which I think is their best performance of this classic. The crowd I viewed this with also really seemed to love it as the film was getting the biggest laughs and most applause.

Although not critically acclaimed as one of the team's best, Abbott and Costello use some of their best loved and remember skits in this film. The movie is worth watching for the "Who's On First?" skit alone. Good, clean, fun for the entire family.