Hold That Ghost is the third film starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello and their third released in 1941. The comic thriller blends crime and a haunted house but was actually the second they shot but since Buck Privates was such a success, Universal rushed out another service comedy starring the duo, In the Navy.
Buy Hold That GhostIn an opening sequence that seems extraneous, Chuck (Abbott) and Ferdinand (Costello) are brought in as replacement waiters and cause some mayhem at a swanky nightclub where Ted Lewis and the Andrew Sisters perform. The ladies appeared the previous two A&C films, so the studio must have wanted to stick with what worked before.
While working their day jobs as gas-station attendants, gangster Moose Mattson (William B. Davidson) kidnaps the fellas once cops discover him. During the chase, Moose is killed by the cops and because of the odd wording in his will regarding only trusting those who are with him when he dies, Chuck and Ferdy become the lone beneficiaries, which see them getting a roadhouse property. Moose’s gang seeks his hidden money, so Charlie Smith (Marc Lawrence) befriends them to find it
One dark, rainy night, the three take a car out to their property along with scientist Dr. Jackson (Richard Carlson); the attractive Norma (Evelyn Ankers), who falls for the oblivious doctor; and radio personality Camille (the hysterical Joan Davis). Shortly after their arrival, the driver takes off, stranding them without their luggage. As they settle in, Charlie looks for Moose’s money in the basement and is found strangled, but after the police stop by, the body disappears.
During the remainder of the film, there are very funny bits, from the physical comedy between Ferdy and Camille when they dance, Ferdy unintentionally revealing and hiding gambling games through a coat rack, and Ferdy getting scared by moving candles, an idea they would repurpose when they Meet Frankenstein. There is also a very silly chase throughout the house once the money is found and the gangsters try to take it. The film concludes with Chuck and Ferdy turning the roadhouse into a grand nightclub, like the one in the opening, with the Andrew Sisters getting a final song to close out the picture.
A brand new HDR/Dolby Vision Master was created from a new 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative displayed in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1. Blacks are very inky and there’s separation when different shades overlay. The image is crisp, exhibiting good depth and fine texture details. It is also clean with slight film grain and a hair crops up at bottom left during opening titles.
The audio is available in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. Dialogue is clear and doesn’t distort when Costello hits those screaming high notes. The music, both diegetic and composer Hans J. Salter’s score, are balanced well in the mix. Ted’s recorded vocals for “Me and My Shadow” distort a touch.
The Special Features are:
- Audio Commentary by Author/Film Historian Alan K. Rode
- Audio Commentary by Film Historian Samm Deighan
- Theatrical Trailer
While the title suggests more spookiness than is presented, Hold That Ghost offers plenty of laughs and suspense to keep one engaged throughout. Although the characters’ mutual abuse and selfishness makes one wonder why they are together, Abbott and Costello are a very funny pair with Abbott providing an anchor for Costello’s silliness, which is childlike at times. It’s a shame they didn’t work with Davis again, as she holds her own. This new UHD release from KL Studio Classics delivers an impressive picture, satisfying audio, and informative commentaries.
