Before this movie Abbott and Costello had made two films that were major departures for the team. These were Little Giant (1946) and The Time of Their Lives (1946). In both of these pictures Bud and Lou didn't work as a team but rather simply as two actors in the same film. Producer Robert Arthur felt that after this the team should return to their roots. The best way to do this was to make a sequel to the duo's first starring movie, Buck Privates (1941).
As the duo was entering the army in the first film, the sequel centers around them coming home after their stay in the army. The movie opens with clips from the first Buck Privates (including the famous drilling scene). After these clips we get right into the story. Our two heroes befriended a six year old orphan girl (Beverly Simmons) while in France. Herbie (Lou Costello) has tried to sneak her away in his bag on his way home. After this attempt fails, the boys decide to adopt the girl. However to do this one of them must be married and have a good income. This proves not to be easy for these two bachelor tie peddlers. The basic plot of a comedy team returning from war and taking care of an orphan while hiding her from the authorities is similar to the earlier Laurel and Hardy feature film, Pack Up Your Troubles (1932). However that is where the similarities end. The movies go in quite different directions with this plot and Abbott and Costello's comedy is very different from that of Laurel and Hardy.
Buck Privates Come Home is everything you could want from an Abbott and Costello film. The whole movie is jam packed with jokes that come at an incredibly fast pace. There are even jokes in the background (look for a sign advertising "Abbott and Costello in Romeo Jr."). What is amazing is the sheer amount of these jokes that hit the mark perfectly. This movie has quite a few excellent comic set pieces including Lou's attempt to sleep on a clothesline, the bank sequence and the climatic car chase. All of these scenes got hearty laughs from me and I am sure they will for many of you too. Bud and Lou are in excellent form here, and in many ways the energy and delivery of many of the comedic moments remind one of the duo's earlier films. Unlike the original Buck Privates Bud and Lou are front and center in this film's story and play a part in the dramatic moments as well as the comedic. While this is by no means a hard-hitting drama, the boys are more than up for the task of handling the non-comedic scenes as well as the comedic. Beverly Simmons is excellent as the little girl Bud and Lou want to adopt. She is cute and sweet without ever making that feel in the least way forced. Because of her naturally sweetness, she is able to give the film an emotional center without making it feel sentimental or distract from the zany comedy.
This film was directed by Charles Barton. Barton was one of the finest directors the comedy duo ever had. During his time directing the team he directed what many consider Bud and Lou's two best films, The Time of Their Lives and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). Disney fans will know him for directing The Shaggy Dog (1959). This movie also featured the last film role for Nat Pendleton. Besides Bud and Lou, he was the only returning cast member (other than Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, of course) from the original Buck Privates. Comedy fans will find him a very familiar face as he also worked with the Marx Brothers in Horse Feathers (1932) and At the Circus (1939). Most film buffs probably recognize him for his role in both The Thin Man (1934) and Another Thin Man (1937). Here he reprises his Buck Privates role, Sgt. Collins. His character's relationship to Bud and Lou's characters has not improved between the two movies. This is a delight for us as the scenes between the three of them are really darn funny.
Motion Picture Herald, 1947
A review in The Motion Picture Herald states, "For the many Abbott and Costello fans who have followed the escapades of the two comedians through their wacky radio program and numerous motion pictures, 'Buck Privates Come Home' is all they desire in the way of slapstick comedy, rapid fire gags and all around comedy. For the other theatre-goers who are only slightly acquainted with the comedy pair this will be a delightful surprise, as it is an above average Abbott and Costello picture." A review in The Showman's Trade Review states, "'Buck Privates Come Home' is a welcome addition to the Abbott and Costello series and may very well re-establish the comics in the top rung of box-office stars." A review in The Motion Picture Daily states, "Theatre patrons who like their Abbott and Costello served in healthy chunks will definitely go for this one." A review in the Independent Exhibitor's Film Bulletins calls this, "by far the most hilarious comedy ever made by Abbott and Costello..." The review went on to state, "... funnier even than 'Buck Privates.'"
The following is a 1947 article from Boxoffice Magazine.
"Rounding out a thorough advertising campaign on 'Buck Privates Come Home,' Stanley A. Gere, manager of the Rialto Theatre, Racine, Wis., tied up with the U.S. Army recruiting service to pay tribute to all ex-buck privates and buck privates in Racine.
"A meeting with the city mayor, Francis H. Went, resulted in a proclamation setting aside 'Buck Privates' day. Included on the agenda of activities was the army's participation of reveille in front of the theatre, a motorcycle rodeo at the lake front park in the rear of the theatre, a parade and full retreat.
"Universal Pictures offered a grand prize of a second honeymoon trip to Chicago for Mr. and Mrs. Buck Private who were selected on the basis of neatness, appearance and personality.
"Contestants were registered by army recruiting in the local American legion post. All but six entrants were screened out out and the final selection was held on the theatre stage.
"The Racine Journal Times broke front page stories covering the promotion from all angles. Stories on the Racine promotion broke in Milwaukee, Kenosha and all county newspapers.
"The picture was also plugged strongly at the baseball park, via the army's radio spots and through a mobile sound truck. Radio promotions included spot announcements, free plugs on the 'Buck Privates' day and interviews for the contest winners over the station.
"Local newspaper columnists maintained a steady flow of copy on the promotion, retail stores plugged the film production in cooperative ads and the army paid for a 4-column by 15-inch display ad plugging the picture."
Totally agree. One of their best. Underrated.
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