Abbott and Costello Go to Mars

Name: Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
Genre: Comedy, Science Fiction
Released: 06 Apr 1953
Rating: 5.50
Cast: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Mari Blanchard, Robert Paige, Horace McMahon

Lester and Orville accidentally launch a rocket which is supposed to fly to Mars. Instead it goes to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. They are then forced by bank robber Mugsy and his pal Harry to fly to Venus where they find a civilization made up entirely of women, men having been banished.

Year: 1953

Genre: Comedy, Science Fiction

Studio: Universal International Pictures

Director: Charles Lamont

Cast: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Mari Blanchard, Robert Paige, Horace McMahon, Martha Hyer

Crew: Charles Lamont (Director), D.D. Beauchamp (Screenplay), D.D. Beauchamp (Story), Howard Christie (Story), John Grant (Screenplay), Howard Christie (Producer)

Runtime: 77 minutes

Release: Apr 06, 1953

IMDb: 5.50/10 by 50 users

Popularity: 1

Country: United States of America

Language: English, Italiano

Budget: 762,446

Revenue: 1,250,000

Keyword : new orleans, louisiana, black and white, stilts, wrong turn, lie detection, giant dog, zero gravity, chrysler building, venus the planet, psychotronic

Comment

John Chard 2020, Mar 04

Better than its reputation suggests. Abbott and Costello Go To Mars sees the popular duo tackle a sci-fi theme that was to be so prevalent in the 50s. It's directed by Charles Lamont and the co-star line up features Robert Paige, Horace McMahon, Mari Blanchard, Martha Hyer & Jack Kruschen. The plot sees Bud & Lou as Lester and Orville respectively, who accidentally find themselves on a rocket-ship bound for Mars. However, they actually land in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras and confusion reigns. Then an encounter with a couple of escaped convicts leads to another blast off, to Venus. A planet populated by a bevy of beauties. They were three years away from making what would be their last film together, but history dictates that the best of the film outings for Bud & Lou were long since past. However, "Go To Mars" and "Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (also 1953) are worthy pieces showcasing the comic talent and irrepressible charm of two fine entertainers. Sure the plot is as thin as some of the sets are for "Go To Mars," but there's enough chaos and comedy schtick to keep the smile on ones face. We get Costello doing an Italian accent -badly, which in turn leads to a slapathon. Then there's stunts with magnetic moon-boots, a triple bed fall down, gravitational larks and Mardi Gras strangeness. There's even a cheeky aside in favour of the ladies (the Venusian female race being contestants of Miss Universe) as the new male arrivals on Venus are compared to beefcake Adonis types on Venusian TV. Far from their best work but certainly enough good here to shoot down those "worst of the series" tags. 6/10