"Little Giant" is a big departure from the usual pairing of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. In most of their films, they operate as a pair. But in this film, they are individuals who meet some time into the film. That is, Lou meets "one" of the But Abbotts - Eddie Morrison, and then he later meets the other Abbott, T.S. Chandler. That's the second unusual pitch of this plot - with Abbott playing two roles.
This is a fine comedy, but it also has a serious side with Costello having center stage throughout. It's interesting that this film was made during the falling out between the two men. During this and the other 1946 film that completed their Universal contract ("The Time of the Their Lives'), they reportedly seldom spoke to one another. Their off-screen lives which had been friendly and close, was likewise strained. Within a couple of years, they would get back together as friends.
This is the film in which Abbott and Costello first do their math skit, "7 times 13= 28." In a discussion about the quota of vacuums that the sales force must sell, Chandler says that with seven salesmen, each man would have to sell four vacuums. But Costello's Benny Miller says that 28 divided by 4 is 13. That leads to Chandler challenging him to multiply and add as well. In each instance, Miller does the math to show the number according to his way of thinking. This is a humorous skit that the two men repeated on their TV program years later.
That is the only real skit between the two comedians. But Costello has several solo scenes or comical scenarios with others. One occurs on an overnight train from Los Angeles to Stockton, California - a distance of just 337 miles by driving on I-5 today, but nearly 500 miles by rail then. On that ride, Costello struggles trying to bed down in an upper berth.
As with many Abbott and Costello films, the supporting cast are mostly little known or lesser known actors of the time. But they all do a good job in this film. The most recognizable is George Chandler who plays the salesman, O'Brien. Chandler has a distinctive face that movie fans will recognize, and he had supporting roles in more than 460 films in a career that lasted more than 50-years (1928-1979). Another familiar face to fans of older films will be Donald MacBride who plays the conductor. He was in more than 160 films, mostly comedies. The most recognizable female performer from the film will most likely be Brenda Joyce who plays Miss Ruby Burke. She was known for playing the role of Jane in five Tarzan films of the 1940s. She made 27 films over 10 years, but walked away from Hollywood after "Tarzan's Magic Fountain" of 1949.
This is an Abbott and Costello film that comedy fans should enjoy. Only, be prepared for a different "look" than the usual Bud and Lou pairing.
Here are some favorite lines form the film.
Benny Miller, "I feel like a tin can with a dog's tail tied to it."
T.S. Chandler, "Did you ever go to school, stupid?" Benny Miller, "Yes, sir, and I came out the same way."
Miss Ruby Burke, "What's the trouble, Benny? You're lower than a caterpillar with fallen arches."
Benny Miller, "I penetrate people's brains and leave my mind blank."
Hazel Temple Morrison, "Oh, you shouldn't choke." Benny Miller, "How do I not choke?"
This is a fine comedy, but it also has a serious side with Costello having center stage throughout. It's interesting that this film was made during the falling out between the two men. During this and the other 1946 film that completed their Universal contract ("The Time of the Their Lives'), they reportedly seldom spoke to one another. Their off-screen lives which had been friendly and close, was likewise strained. Within a couple of years, they would get back together as friends.
This is the film in which Abbott and Costello first do their math skit, "7 times 13= 28." In a discussion about the quota of vacuums that the sales force must sell, Chandler says that with seven salesmen, each man would have to sell four vacuums. But Costello's Benny Miller says that 28 divided by 4 is 13. That leads to Chandler challenging him to multiply and add as well. In each instance, Miller does the math to show the number according to his way of thinking. This is a humorous skit that the two men repeated on their TV program years later.
That is the only real skit between the two comedians. But Costello has several solo scenes or comical scenarios with others. One occurs on an overnight train from Los Angeles to Stockton, California - a distance of just 337 miles by driving on I-5 today, but nearly 500 miles by rail then. On that ride, Costello struggles trying to bed down in an upper berth.
As with many Abbott and Costello films, the supporting cast are mostly little known or lesser known actors of the time. But they all do a good job in this film. The most recognizable is George Chandler who plays the salesman, O'Brien. Chandler has a distinctive face that movie fans will recognize, and he had supporting roles in more than 460 films in a career that lasted more than 50-years (1928-1979). Another familiar face to fans of older films will be Donald MacBride who plays the conductor. He was in more than 160 films, mostly comedies. The most recognizable female performer from the film will most likely be Brenda Joyce who plays Miss Ruby Burke. She was known for playing the role of Jane in five Tarzan films of the 1940s. She made 27 films over 10 years, but walked away from Hollywood after "Tarzan's Magic Fountain" of 1949.
This is an Abbott and Costello film that comedy fans should enjoy. Only, be prepared for a different "look" than the usual Bud and Lou pairing.
Here are some favorite lines form the film.
Benny Miller, "I feel like a tin can with a dog's tail tied to it."
T.S. Chandler, "Did you ever go to school, stupid?" Benny Miller, "Yes, sir, and I came out the same way."
Miss Ruby Burke, "What's the trouble, Benny? You're lower than a caterpillar with fallen arches."
Benny Miller, "I penetrate people's brains and leave my mind blank."
Hazel Temple Morrison, "Oh, you shouldn't choke." Benny Miller, "How do I not choke?"