User Reviews

On his way to the boarding house, Lou gets into trouble with Mr. Bacciagalupe selling pastries, Mike the Cop, and two women. While planting flowers in the back, he ruins Hillary's sun suit and promises to buy her a new one with his candy allowance. He mistakes neighbor Mrs. Crumbcake (Elvia Allman) for a crow and shoots her out of her tree hanging over their yard, also ruining her pail. Bud won't allow Lou to pay .79 cents for a new one. She says she is taking Lou to court for slander, assault and battery, and attempted murder. Bud's lawyer, Mr. Sidney (Sid Fields), poorly leads Lou's case in court in front of Judge Henry Q. Crumbcake (Stanley Andrews). Lou is found guilty. He is ordered to pay the 79 cents or 30 days in jail. All Lou wants to do is pay the 79 cents, but Bud and his lawyer won't let him, and he is jailed. In his cell is a ragged prisoner (also Sid Fields) who recounts his life story of how his wife left him for another man. He followed them around the world to Niagara Falls in the classic vaudeville sketch "Niagara Falls" ("Slowly I Turned"). The prisoner turns violent when he hears the words "Niagara Falls". Lou may not make it out of the cell in one piece.

I grew up watching these funny guys and never could get enough of them. It's great to see the vintage tv show back in reruns (on DECADES NET) and in restored condition. This is classic stuff. Lou gets into all kinds of trouble with the neighborhood kooks, such as Mrs. Crumcake, for accidentally shooting her in a tree! All purpose foil Elvia Allman also acted with Lucille Ball in similar type of roles and was a hoot. Mike the cop is on the beat to haul Lou before the judge, who happens to be Mr. Crumcake??? By the way, his lousy lawyer is none other than scheming Mr. Fields and Lou is behind bars in a few minutes! His cellmate is insane and the fun begins. Actually, this is the old "Niagara Falls" gag where every time the name is spoken the intended victim goes just plain nuts. Lou is off the wall in this bit. Many if not all of the hilarious routines Abbott and Costello did in their movies and tv show, had humble beginnings during their early years on stage. And they are still fun to watch, albeit a little corny at times. Also a shout out to the unforgettable Mr. Bacciagalupe, who always reminded me of Billy Gilbert, the perfect foil for Laurel and Hardy, who were inspiration to Lou Costello. 1952 episode dvd box set.