Diagonaldi
Very well executed
NekoHomey
Purely Joyful Movie!
Exoticalot
People are voting emotionally.
Roman Sampson
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
vincentlynch-moonoi
Four problems with this film. First, by 1952, Abbott & Costello had little new to offer the American public; same old same old...and it was beginning to wear a little thin. Second, America had a new favorite comedy team -- Martin & Lewis, who provided entertainment a bit more adult oriented; thus, you're going to see scantily clad women in this film than just about any other A&C film. The songs and singers in this film are atrocious; please...bring back the Andrews Sisters.So, is there any reason to watch this film at all? Well, it's a rare Abbott & Costello film that's in color. But a bigger reason is to watch the esteemed Charles Laughton be funny (or at least try to be funny); Laughton's career was floundering at this point, and he was paid only $25,000 for this film ("Witness For The Prosecution" was yet to come in his career).The acting here -- even Laughton's -- is pretty thin (here, Laughton seemed to think that acting funny meant yelling). Costello used to be brilliant...now he was getting repetitive. As usual, Bud Abbott offered little except straight lines. Hi8llary Brooke was a better straight man than Bud Abbott.Despite the scantily clad women, this is pretty much a kid's picture. And a not very funny one at that. Abbott & Costello were once the funniest duo in films, by this time they were getting a bit stale.
JoeKarlosi
An underwhelming later entry for the comedy team, this is of interest only because it's a color film which provides a chance to see Charles Laughton yucking it up as the title baddie. But there's very little meat to chew on while watching Bud and Lou act as hapless waiters sailing aboard the ship of the mean old Captain Kidd (Laughton). Of course there are many recycled older gags ... two of them include: Lou accidentally dropping a bar of soap into Kidd's soup and producing bubbles from everyone's mouthes (just how exhausted was that routine by this time?), and also Lou having a chance to rough Kidd up a bit while the pirate's hands are chained behind his back. (This latter bit was so much better performed when it was William Bendix as the recipient back in 1943's WHO DONE IT?). Hillary Brooke is on hand as a tough-acting blonde, easier on the eyes than a crew full of obnoxious men. ** out of ****
Venturedp
I'm a huge fan of A&C and realized that the Captain Kidd story was not part of my collection. I have noticed from other comments that the viewing copies of both Jack and The Beanstalk and A&C Meet Captain Kidd are horrendous...I did get to see the Jack and the Beanstalk..and was appalled at the transfer. My being a cinematographer here in Hollywood I know that if these films were brought to a decent telecine house that amazing improvements can be made to the original color. It's a matter of getting the original negative from the print to start with then having a good colorist to work on it! So that being said...if anyone knows if and when the A&C Meet Captain Kidd will be on DVD...or if it has already been out there. I would love to see it. Noticed that Rio Rita is not available on DVD either. Also is A&C Meet Captain Kidd public domain?
DKosty123
While Abbott & Costello don't make much swash buckling in this story, the color in this color feature is horrible, & the musical numbers even worse, they did one thing right.Charles Laughton as Captain Kidd is easily the films greatest asset. The way he plays off Costello is great. Too bad there is not enough of it to save the film. There is way too little of the boys, & way too much horrible music in a short 70 minute film.Sad thing is the idea could have been so much more. This is one film where the tickets were sold on the title, but the viewers were disappointed. While it is not their worst because of Laughton, it is no where near the teams best film.At least it is the boys in color. Besides Jack & The Beanstalk which also has terrible music & color, this is the only other color film they did. Color me blue that a great idea gets wasted.