One Night in the Tropics
| One Night in the Tropics | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | A. Edward Sutherland |
| Written by | |
| Produced by | Leonard Spigelgass |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Joseph A. Valentine |
| Edited by | Milton Carruth |
| Music by | |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 82 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | over $500,000[1] |
One Night in the Tropics is a 1940 comedy film which was the film debut of Abbott and Costello. They are listed as supporting actors but have major exposure with five of their classic routines, including an abbreviated version of "Who's on First?" Their work earned them a two-picture deal with Universal, and their next film, Buck Privates, made them bona fide stars. Songs in the film were by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Dorothy Fields.
The film is based on a 1914 novel, Love Insurance by Earl Derr Biggers, the creator of Charlie Chan.[2] It was filmed as a silent movie in 1919 as Love Insurance by Paramount Pictures with Bryant Washburn and Lois Wilson, and in 1925 by Universal as The Reckless Age.
Plot[edit]
Jim "Lucky" Moore, a purveyor of insurance, conceives an inventive contractual arrangement for his associate, Steve, dubbed the "love insurance policy." This policy, valued at $1 million, is contingent upon Steve's failure to enter into matrimony with his betrothed, Cynthia. Persuaded by Moore's assertion that the policy has hitherto remained unclaimed, thus deeming the marriage a virtual certainty, Steve assents to the proposal. However, the impending nuptials encounter obstacles in the form of Steve's former romantic partner, Mickey, and the disapprobation of Cynthia's familial relative, Aunt Kitty.
The underwriting of the policy is facilitated by a proprietor of a nocturnal establishment, Roscoe, who dispatches agents Abbott and Costello to ensure the fruition of the matrimonial ceremony. The unfolding events compel all involved parties to embark on a journey to the fictitious locale of San Marcos in South America, where an additional layer of complexity ensues as Moore finds himself captivated by Cynthia.
Eventually, Moore and Cynthia unite in marriage, yet Roscoe remains exempt from disbursing the $1 millios as Steve elects to wed Mickey instead.
Cast[edit]
- Allan Jones as Jim "Lucky" Moore
- Nancy Kelly as Cynthia Merrick
- Bud Abbott as Abbott
- Lou Costello as Costello
- Robert Cummings as Steve Harper
- Mary Boland as Aunt Kitty Marblehead
- William Frawley as Roscoe
- Peggy Moran as Mickey Fitzgerald
- Leo Carrillo as Escobar
- Don Alvarado as Rodolfo
- Nina Orla as Nina
- Edgar Dearing as Cop with Black Eye (uncredited)
- Larry Steers as Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Production[edit]
One Night in the Tropics was filmed from August 26 through September 30, 1940 under the film's working title, Riviera, an unproduced Jerome Kern musical from 1937 originally planned for Danielle Darrieux;[2][3] Kern's songs were reused in the film.[4][5] It had several working titles before Universal settled on One Night in the Tropics, including Moonlight in the Tropics, Love Insurance, and Caribbean Holiday.[6] It was hoped that the film would ease Universal's financial plight. It did little to help, but led to a string of Abbott and Costello films that did save Universal.[7]
Promotion[edit]
Just prior to the beginning of production, on August 21, 1940, Jones and Cummings were guests on Abbott and Costello's radio show and promoted the film.
World premiere[edit]
The film had its world premiere in Costello's home town of Paterson, New Jersey on October 30, 1940.[2]
Rerelease[edit]
The film was re-released (at 69 minutes) by Realart Pictures in 1950 with The Naughty Nineties and in 1954 with Little Giant.[2]
Home media[edit]
This film has been released twice on DVD. The first time, on The Best of Abbott and Costello Volume One on February 10, 2004, and again on October 28, 2008, as part of Abbott and Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection.
References[edit]
- ^ "United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit – Universal vs Cummings 1944". Internet Archive. p. 94.
- ^ a b c d Furmanek, Bob & Ron Palumbo (1991), Abbott and Costello in Hollywood, New York: Perigee Books, ISBN 978-0-399-51605-4
- ^ "United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit – Cummings vs Universal 1944". Internet Archive. p. 565.
- ^ Hemming, Roy (1999), The Melody Lingers On: The Great Songwriters and Their Movie Musicals, Newmarket Press, p. 105, ISBN 978-1-55704-380-1
- ^ "Screen News Here and in Hollywood". The New York Times. July 31, 1940. ProQuest 105290980.
- ^ Nollen, Scott Allen (2009). Abbott and Costello on the Home Front: A Critical Study of the Wartime Films. McFarland. ISBN 9780786453252 – via Google Books.
- ^ Green, Stanley (1999). Hollywood Musicals Year by Year (2 ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 98. ISBN 0-634-00765-3.
