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Abbott and Costello meet Universal Studios
ONE NIGHT IN THE TROPICS is typical of many musicals of the late 1930's and early 40's: a glossy, fast paced film with a ridiculous storyline. Fortunately, this one benefits from a lovely Jerome Kern score, and from the film debut of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. While Allan Jones, Bob Cummings and the rest of the cast struggle valiantly with the sometimes impossible demands of the script (at least Jones' singing is heard to good advantage), Bud and Lou are allowed to cut loose and get laughs with some of their tried and true routines. If nothing else, the film is valuable as a record of some traditional burlesque chestnuts: "Payday," "The Mustard Routine," "Jonah and the Whale," and an abridgement of "Who's On First" are all here. Abbott and Costello's delivery make these old warhorses seem fresh and new, which saves the film. Surely a tribute to this team's talent.

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Abbott & Costello steal the show in their first film
Abbott & Costello are the comic relief in "One Night in the Tropics," their first movie appearance. Steve Harper (Robert Cummings) is supposed to marry Cynthia Merrick (Nancy Kelly), but his former girlfriend, Mickey Fitzgerald (Pegy Moran), and Cynthia's disapproving Aunt Kitty (Mary Boland) might cause problems. So Steve's best man, insurance agent Jim Moore (Allan Jones), issues a "Love Insurance" policy that will pay Steve $1,000,000 if the wedding does not take place. Half of the policy is underwritten by Roscoe, a nightclub owner, who assignes Abbott and Costello to protect his interest. This proves to be difficult. The wedding is supposed to take place on the Caribbean island of San Marcos. The boys are supposed to take Mickey to Kansas City, but she ends up getting them to take her to San Marcos as well. Then things get extremely complicated. Allan Jones had been the young male singer in two Marx Brothers films. Abbott & Costello get to do not only part of their classic "Who's on First" routine, but also their "Money Changing" routine and the one where Bud goes after Lou for not putting mustard on their hot dog, thereby threatening the jobs of thousands of mustard factory workers. Since the boys were well known as radio comedians, it is not surprising that word play dominates their comedy in this first film outing. This 1940 film was directed by A. Edward Sutherland and featured music by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and Oscar Hammerstein II. Not a bad film, but when the comedy relief outshines the leads, that is not exactly what is supposed to be happening.

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ABBOTT AND COSTELLO'S FIRST FEATURE FILM
ONE NIGHT IN THE TROPICS
Release Date(s):
October 30, 1940 (premiere). November 15, 1940
Runtime: 82 minutes.

Director:
A. Edward Sutherland
Producer: Leonard Spigelglass
Writing Credits:
Earl Derr Biggers
Kathryn Scola
Francis Martin
Gertrude Purcell
Charles Grayson
John Grant

CAST:
Allan Jones: Jim Moore
Nancy Kelly: Cynthia
Bud Abbott: Abbott
Lou Costello: Costello
Robert Cummings: Steve Harper
Mary Boland: Kitty Marblehead
William Frawley: Roscoe
Peggy Moran: Mickey Fitzgerald
Leo Carrillio: Escobar
Don Alvarado: Rudolfo
Nina Orla: Nina
Richard Carle: Mr. Moore

Music by:
Jerome Kern
Frank Skinner

Film Editing by:
Milton Carruth

Art Direction:
Jack Otterson

Set Decoration:
Russell A. Gausman

Costume Design by:
Vera West

Assistant Director:
Joseph E. Kenney

Sound Department:
Bernard B. Brown...Supervisor
Joe Lapis

Other Crew:
Larry Ceballos...Dance Director
Dorothy Fields...Lyricist
Oscar Hammerstein II...Lyricist
Martin Obzina...Assistant Art Director
Charles Previn...Musical Director
Frank Skinner...Orchestrator

Routines & Hilarious Moments:
Who's On First (short version)
Mustard Routine
Money Changing
Jonah and the Whale
Paid In Full
Two Tens For a Five

PLOT SUMMARY:
Bud and Lou are clumsy thugs hired to protect
a love insurance policy investment.

Trivia:
(1)William Frawley (1887-1966)(Roscoe)is best remembered for his role of Fred Mertz in the classic TV sitcom "I LOVE LUCY" (CBS-TV. November 5, 1951 - May 6, 1957). (2)Leo Carrillo (1881-1961)(Esobar) is best remembered for his role as Pancho in the classic 1950's TV series "THE CISCO KID" (Syndicated. September 5, 1950 - March 22, 1956).