Based on the novel "Love Insurance" by Charlie Chan author Earl Derr Biggers, "One Night in the Tropics" is the 1940 debut film for comedy team Abbott and Costello, although they are third billed after stars Allan Jones and Nancy Kelly. The story involves Jones' character Jim "Lucky" Moore writing an insurance policy on the too close to call marriage of his buddy Steve Harper (Bob Cummings) to Kelly's character Cynthia Merrick. If Steve and Cynthia don't get married, Lucky's firm, headed by his dad, stands to lose a million dollars. Up till now, Lucky has been just that, never having to pay off on a policy, but this scheme gets complicated when Lucky begins to fall for Steve's girl. Night club owner Roscoe (William Frawley) finances the policy for Steve and has a vested interest in the marriage going off on schedule, and has his employees Abbott and Costello keep their eye on Steve and Cynthia.
As for the comedy team, Abbott and Costello get to try out an abbreviated version of their "Who's on First" routine, along with their Jonah and the Whale story, the mustard routine, and a money changing bit. Obviously, Universal Studios and the fans liked what they saw, as the boys went on to star in their own film the following year in "Buck Privates".
The film takes it's name from the exotic destination of San Marcos where the romantic leads are headed for the wedding showdown. By this time, the tables have completely turned, with Jim/Lucky making his play for Cynthia, and Steve being lassoed by his long time admirer Mickey (Peggy Moran). It's all played fairly light hearted, with a Leo Carillo appearance thrown in for good measure as Escobar, the mayor of San Marcos performing the wedding ceremony, but you'll have to watch the film to know which one.
The only unresolved part of the film is what happens to the insurance money - presumably Lucky's firm has to pay off, but by this time it has gone belly up over some bad investments and chancy policies. If it didn't bother the writers and director, I guess it's not that important.
The film ends on a final Abbott and Costello gag, discussing the meaning of the word husband - Costello: "A husband is what's left of a sweetheart after the nerve has been killed"!
As for the comedy team, Abbott and Costello get to try out an abbreviated version of their "Who's on First" routine, along with their Jonah and the Whale story, the mustard routine, and a money changing bit. Obviously, Universal Studios and the fans liked what they saw, as the boys went on to star in their own film the following year in "Buck Privates".
The film takes it's name from the exotic destination of San Marcos where the romantic leads are headed for the wedding showdown. By this time, the tables have completely turned, with Jim/Lucky making his play for Cynthia, and Steve being lassoed by his long time admirer Mickey (Peggy Moran). It's all played fairly light hearted, with a Leo Carillo appearance thrown in for good measure as Escobar, the mayor of San Marcos performing the wedding ceremony, but you'll have to watch the film to know which one.
The only unresolved part of the film is what happens to the insurance money - presumably Lucky's firm has to pay off, but by this time it has gone belly up over some bad investments and chancy policies. If it didn't bother the writers and director, I guess it's not that important.
The film ends on a final Abbott and Costello gag, discussing the meaning of the word husband - Costello: "A husband is what's left of a sweetheart after the nerve has been killed"!