Who Done It?

Abbot and Costello always pleased their fans more when they were involved in murder and mayhem--and there's plenty of that in 'Who Done It?' This is one of their best slapstick comedy-thrillers, though not on par with 'Hold That Ghost' or 'Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein'. Still, it's a barrel of laughs and fast patter as the two play a sort of "dumb and dumber" duo (soda jerks) attempting to solve a murder at a radio studio, capturing a time capsule when radio mysteries were standard fare on the airwaves on any given night. The low-key interiors at the studio have a film noir ambience that mixes well with the sight gags and comedy routines. Mary Wickes does her usual funny bit as a secretary named Juliet--along with good support from Patric Knowles, William Gargan, Don Porter and William Bendix. If you're a fan of the team, you'll certainly enjoy this one.

I love Abbott and Costello. This is my favorite out of all their films. Two of my favorite pastimes are mystery movies and old time radio shows. You get 2 for 1! The script is great. The cast is perfect. It moves along at a nice pace. I first saw this when I was 8 years old. I am 61. It still makes me laugh.

Man, nothing was sacred to Abbott and Costello! In the wacky "Who Done It?", they play soda jerks who pitch an idea to a radio station, and then find themselves in the middle of a murder case! This of course is an excuse for a series of hilarious gags (namely Alexander 2222 and the ledge of the building). One of the things that I liked about this movie is that it's not a musical. I'm just not into musicals. When I watch a comedy, I expect to laugh, and musical numbers cut into that. Here, just get to see Bud and Lou do their stuff. And some funny stuff it is. They must have had fun making it. Really funny!

WHO DONE IT? (1942) ***1/2 Abbott and Costello at their finest as two soda jerks/mystery writer wannabes embroiled in a murder mystery at a radio station with some frenetically funny moments. Lou is also appealing with the towering, wise-cracking love interest Mary Wickes.

This is one of my favorite Abbott and Costello movies. Bud and Lou play aspiring writers trying to get a job at a radio station writing murder mysteries. When a real murder occurs at the station, the boys rush to investigate because Bud thinks this will land them the jobs. Top supporting cast includes Patric Knowles, William Bendix, Thomas Gomez, Mary Wickes, Jerome Cowan, and Louise Allbritton. Louise is gorgeous here. A year later she would have black hair in Son of Dracula and look like a completely different person. She looks so much better as a blonde. Walter Tetley is great as a teenage elevator operator who has several funny bits with Lou throughout the movie. Really good movie. Abbott and Costello had great success combining comedy with other genres, particularly horror and mystery. This is one of their best and probably in their top five.