Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Edohotep
Writers: Val Burton, Walter DeLeon and Bradford Ropes.
Cast: Marjorie Reynolds, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Abbott and Costello is a comedic team that brought about a resurrection for Universal Studios. Their films from 1948 to 1953 brought back the monsters from the Golden Age of Hollywood legend and it made for some very good laughs. For the most part, these films were a modest success. The most widely recognized is Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, but the list does not end there.
However, the least recognized of these films is a product that does not involve them meeting anyone other than themselves in a twist of a Buddhist tradition. Bad karma finally caught up on Cuthbert Greenway (Bud Abbott), and he has to right what his ancestor did wrong.
Perhaps that's one of the ironies of why The Time of Their Lives is still enduring today. The script created by the writing team of Val Burton, Walter DeLeon and Bradford Ropes is simple. It is a morality play that can be watched time and time again. Even as a light romantic tale, there will not be moments that can be as easily parodied like in Patrick Swayze’s Ghost. This film proves that time holds no meaning for true love. This particular subtext is easier to digest since the romantic ideals from the 40's is quite different from that of today, where it's sexually driven. The relationships that are forged in this film show how enduring companionship is. And there’s a great punch line to just how long anyone will wait to be with his or her true love.
And equally ironic is how the comedic duo behaved outside of the set. There was a short period of time where Abbott and Costello were not on speaking terms. The reason was allegedly over Abbott hiring a domestic servant who had been fired by Costello.
For them to still continue making films was a sign of professionalism by these two class acts. Costello must have been able to air some frustrations out on Abbott, and it led to some genuinely funny moments on screen. The two’s characters, Horatio Prim (Costello) and Cuthbert Greenway (Abbott) that were constantly at odds with each other. They were both attracted to the same girl, a maid Nora O'Leary (Ann Gillis). Their rivalry took place in the past, when the American Revolution is about to start.
Although Prim is awarded a letter of honour by George Washington for services rendered, both he and another female friend, Melody, were believed to be traitors by Patriots and shot in the back. Their bodies were tossed in a well, and a curse was placed upon their souls so that they would remain until the crack of doom. The proof that Prim had had became sealed by Greenway before cries of Revolution disrupted the night.
Centuries passed and eventually, the ghosts of Wilbur and Melody would pine their time away with little playful incidents, showing well-wishers that they are indeed still amongst the living. Eventually, the estate that they are connected with gets the restoration treatment. And when the two ghosts see people are moving back in, curiousity gets the better of them as they investigate what the living is up to. They have some fun with harpsichords, the lighting and doors, and fairly soon, the occupants believe the house is haunted.
The laughs could not be any better as the straight man, Abbott, plays it clueless. The roles that the pair is famous for are reversed. Quite often Lou is the butt of all the jokes, but in this film, Bud is getting the kicks, and he eventually gets tired of it.
A séance is performed to graciously move the plot along and reveal what must be done to free the ghosts from their curse. Without it, this film would just be another piece where the comedy skits of the duo are played out. As a film that gives life to what life may be like when dead, perhaps that is also what happens in some real life hauntings too. They are trying to make contact for a specific reason.
Although the special effects are dated, they still look good when compared to some budget effects found in some independent films of today. When considering that special effects is the last thing that producers and directors from the 40's are thinking of, this film proves that it can stand the test of time.
The Time of Their Lives is a guilty pleasure for old school film aficionados. It's an Abbott and Costello original that doesn't rely on them performing a routine to get the laughs. It's all built in.
Overall: 8 out of 10.
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Posted in: 2011,2011 release,classic,comedy,horror,movie review
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