This durable comedy is a favorite of Abbot and Costello fans for many reasons. it is their first non-service comedy, their first involving spooks, monsters or hauntings and their first with a strong supporting cast and "A" production values. The story-line involves Bud and Lou inheriting a haunted house from a gangster named Moose. Since the crook's loot is supposed to be hidden there--it comes complete with ghosts, a bad reputation and cryptic clues--their trip there to take possession of their property proves to be a very lively adventure.Before this portion of the narrative, there is quite a bit of fun in a nightclub, involving the Andrews Sisters, a curious "Me and My Shadow" Number with legendary Ted Lewis and a truly black partner, the Ted lewis orchestra and much more. The other passengers along for the fun ride to the new property include Richard Carlson, very good as a science specialist incredibly oblivious to the admiration and the extreme physical charms of Evelyn Ankers, hilarious Joan Davis as a perfect foil for the lead duo and the others, plus durable bad guy Marc Lawrence, hilarious Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard, Russell Hicks as the gangster's lawyer and William Davidson as Moose Matson the gangster. Look for familiar faces among the gangsters and in the nightclub scenes. The direction of this film by skilled Arthur Lubin and the screenplay by Robert Lees, Fred Rinaldo and John Grant keeps the gags coming and the pace moving. The remarkable aspect of the film is that its musical numbers and sight-gags do not impede the progress of the plot. I had never seen this film until last year; so its freshness and the luminous results of its production team were a major discovery for me. The cinematography was done by Elwood Bredell, art direction by Jack Otterson with the set decoration by the famous Russell A. Gausman, and are all outstanding achievements. The costumes by Vera West are fine and thanks to the nightclub scenes unusually varied. This B/W classic would undoubtedly have been an expensive color production later on; but in any case, the money is found, the mystery is solved, the ghosts are mostly explained, lovers are united and the laughs generated by this delightful entertainment remain in the mind--as I and other viewers of this very funny film have testified-for years to come. Not to be missed.
