Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Charles Laughton had wanted to do a knockabout physical comedy for some time, but could never find anything appropriate. He had long been an admirer of Lou Costello's abilities as a slapstick comedian, and--as he remarked some time later--he decided "If you want to learn something, learn it from the best" so he let Costello and Bud Abbott know that he was interested in doing something with them. This picture is the result.,In her love letter, Lady Jane wrote, "... My dear, it's very important that I see you immediately. ..." However, Captain Bonney reads, "... But I am being torn away from those strong affectionate arms. ...",Capt. William Kidd: I hate fat men!
Capt. Bonney: But you're a fat man.
Capt. William Kidd: I hate myself too!,Edited from Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951),Away Ay Aye Ay
(uncredited)
by Bob Russell and Lester Lee
Performed by Leif Erickson, Bill Shirley and chorus,I am an admirer of Charles Laughton,who I regard as the finest ever British screen actor.This is often viewed as the nadir of his movie career but it did seem to me he entered into the spirit of proceedings admirably,mugging energetically and taking pratfalls with the best of them Bud and Lou will satisfy their fans but win no new devotees in a movie slowed down by stultifyingly bad musical interludes and the colour is garish and ugly

Laughton,seemingly relishing the chance to play a variant on the pantomime villains he doubtless enjoyed watching in the theatre as a child,is the main reason to give this the time of day,