THE BEST OF ABBOTT AND COSTELLO

This collection of Abbott & Costello radio programs features 88 shows on 1 compact disc. Each episode is presented in the .mp3 format. There are over 40 hours of entertaining programs featuring Abbott & Costello.

The CD is labeled and provided in a highly protective jewel case. A list of the programs on the disc as well as the date the program originally aired (if known) is also provided.


PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EQUIPMENT WILL PLAY MP3 FORMATTED FILES BEFORE PURCHASING THIS ITEM.

IT IS ULTIMATELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER TO ENSURE THAT HIS OR HER EQUIPMENT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE MP3 FORMAT.


A note concerning sound quality. The sound quality for the shows in this collection is very good to good. It is difficult to find perfect recordings from the golden age of radio due to the equipment used for recording and the fact that many of the recordings were made 60, 70 or even 80 years ago.

HERE'S SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR "ABBOTT & COSTELLO":

Abbott & Costello were one of the greatest comedy teams in the history of show business. They mastered the straight man/clown relationship, creating a magical chemistry that would take them from the burlesque stage to radio, to Broadway, to film... and finally, to television.

Born William Alexander Abbott on October 6, 1897 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Bud became one of the most sought-after and polished straight men on the burlesque circuit. It was here that he met his future partner, Louis Francis Cristillo, born on March 6, 1906 in Paterson, New Jersey. Their official teaming was in 1936. Although they soon became a popular booking commodity on the burlesque wheel, it wasn't until they appeared on the "Kate Smith Radio Hour" - performing what would soon become known as their classic signature skit, "Who's On First" - that Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were hurled to stardom, and to Hollywood.

Signed to Universal in 1939, Abbott & Costello reigned as the new "Kings Of Comedy," producing a solid decade of box office hits including "Buck Privates," "In The Navy," "Hold That Ghost," "Naughty Nineties," "Time Of Their Lives," and their 1948 monster classic "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein." Today, that film remains a favorite among fans, as well as an international cult masterpiece.

Bud and Lou's style and brand of comedy helped lift the morale of the American public during World War II. Eager to lend their time to the war effort, the boys funded (out of pocket) a cross-country tour to help raise much-needed funds on behalf of the War Bond Drive. Everywhere they appeared there were sellout audiences. They were honored on the steps of New York's City Hall by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia for raising a record-breaking $89 million in just three days!

In 1956, one year before the release of their last film together, "Dance With Me Henry," and their official (and amicable) split, Bud and Lou were brought together on "The Steve Allen Show" before a live nationwide viewing audience. The emotion was further heightened when, unbeknownst to both men, Steve Allen announced the induction of Abbott & Costello and their Gold Record of "Who's On First" into the world-famous "Baseball Hall Of Fame" in Cooperstown, New York.

(Many are not aware that Abbott & Costello are the first non-baseball-playing celebrities ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame!)

Lou Costello passed away in 1959, and Bud Abbott in 1974.

Episode Listing for the "Best of Abbott and Costello" programs included in this collection:

Abbott And Costello - 400320 - Lion Hunting
Abbott And Costello - 420511 - Who's On First
Abbott And Costello - 421015 - Bank Robbery With Marlene Dietrich
Abbott And Costello - 421119 - Knights In Shining Armor With Merle Oberon
Abbott And Costello - 430114 - Hunting Guide With Claire Trevor
Abbott And Costello - 430316 - At The Circus With Alan Hale
Abbott And Costello - 431118 - Nylon Stockings With Lucille Ball
Abbott And Costello - 431125 - Costello's Pet Turkey With Jane Wyman
Abbott And Costello - 431202 - Trip To Palm Springs With Veronica Lake
Abbott And Costello - 431209 - English Butler With Arthur Treacher
Abbott And Costello - 431216 - The Wild West With Lynn Bari
Abbott And Costello - 431230 - The Lawyer With Bert Gordon
Abbott And Costello - 440106 - Lou's Engaged To Judy Canova
Abbott And Costello - 440113 - A Visit To Peter Lorre's Sanitarium
Abbott And Costello - 440120 - Football Game With Harold Peary
Abbott And Costello - 440210 - Robinson Crusoe With Charles Laughton
Abbott And Costello - 440217 - Making A Movie With Dorothy Lamour
Abbott And Costello - 440302 - Running A Newspaper With Hedda Hopper
Abbott And Costello - 440309 - Missing Script With Blondie And Dagwood
Abbott And Costello - 440316 - At The Circus With Alan Hale
Abbott And Costello - 440330 - Radio Station With Alan Ladd
Abbott And Costello - 440606 - Alan Ladd
Abbott And Costello - 440911
Abbott And Costello - 441026 - Matrimonial Agency
Abbott And Costello - 441102 - Mortimer's Pet Shop
Abbott And Costello - 441109 - Lou's Race Horse, 'Peanut Butter'
Abbott And Costello - 441116 - Return To PS 15
Abbott And Costello - 441207 - Visit To Tin Pan Alley
Abbott And Costello - 441214 - Christmas Shopping For Lou's Girlfriend
Abbott And Costello - 450111 - Needs Another Bath Tub
Abbott And Costello - 450118 - Hertz You Drive
Abbott And Costello - 450125 - Lou Wants To Join The Merchant Marines
Abbott And Costello - 450201 - Lou Shoots An Orange Picker
Abbott And Costello - 450215 - Jack And The Beanstalk
Abbott And Costello - 450301 - Going Back To School
Abbott And Costello - 450308 - New Press Agent
Abbott And Costello - 450322 - Basic Training
Abbott And Costello - 450405 - Trying To Hire The Andrews Sisters
Abbott And Costello - 450419 - Appearing With The Andrews Sisters
Abbott And Costello - 450426 - Making A Movie With The Andrews Sisters
Abbott And Costello - 450503 - Spanish Acting School
Abbott And Costello - 450607 - Costello Gets A Tatoo
Abbott And Costello - 450628 - Return To Patterson
Abbott And Costello - 451004 - Lou Promises His Girlfriend A Job
Abbott And Costello - 451115 - Lou Hides From His Girlfriend
Abbott And Costello - 451129 - Opening A Gas Station
Abbott And Costello - 451206 - Lou The Fireman
Abbott And Costello - 451213 - Mellonhead's Department Store
Abbott And Costello - 451220 - Lou's Christmas Party
Abbott And Costello - 451227 - Costello's Beauty Shop
Abbott And Costello - 460207 - Looking For An Apartment
Abbott And Costello - 460307 - Discover Uranium
Abbott And Costello - 460314 - Lou Has To Pay Income Tax
Abbott And Costello - 460418 - Pet Shop
Abbott And Costello - 460425 - The Sheriff Of North Hollywood
Abbott And Costello - 460502 - Napoleon And Josephine
Abbott And Costello - 460509 - Lou Wants To Join The Circus
Abbott And Costello - 460516 - Costello Runs For Mayor
Abbott And Costello - 460530 - Prepare For Elsa Maxwell's Party
Abbott And Costello - 460626 - Abbott's Big Date
Abbott And Costello - 461003 - Incorrigible
Abbott And Costello - 461010 - Lou Is Hallucinating
Abbott And Costello - 461212 - Lion Hunting
Abbott And Costello - 470206 - From New York City Again
Abbott And Costello - 470213 - Costello Buys A Boat
Abbott And Costello - 470227 - Driving Lessons With Marilyn Maxwell
Abbott And Costello - 470313 - Lou Goes To The Racetrack To Lose Money
Abbott And Costello - 470327 - Stock Market
Abbott And Costello - 470410 - Nuts And Bolts
Abbott And Costello - 470417 - Costello Is Invited To Join The Yankees
Abbott And Costello - 470424 - Lou Builds A House
Abbott And Costello - 470618 - Baseball Show
Abbott And Costello - 471224 - Christmas Program
Abbott And Costello - 480303 - Uncle Mikets Gold Mine
Abbott And Costello - 480310 - Costello Pays Income Tax
Abbott And Costello - 480421 - Opening A Marriage Bureau
Abbott And Costello - 480428 - Costello Looking For A Job
Abbott And Costello - 480505 - The New Sheriff With Bela Lugosi
Abbott And Costello - 480602 - Lon Chaney, Jr.
Abbott And Costello - 480616 - Benny Rubin
Abbott And Costello - 480812 - The Uno
Abbott And Costello - 481028 - Sam Shovel, Tony's Home Permanent
Abbott And Costello - 481118 - Sam Shovel, Case Of The Russian Diplomat
Abbott And Costello - 481212 - Hunting
Abbott And Costello - 490127 - Sam Shovel, General Custer's Last Hamburger Stand
Abbott And Costello - 490303 - Sam Shovel, Caught With His Prints Down
Abbott And Costello - 490428 - Sam Shovel, Tony's Home Permanent
Abbott And Costello - 490519 - Sam Shovel, Dust Be My Destiny

IMPORTANT NOTE!: The CD presented for sale contains radio programs recorded and preserved in the MP3 audio format. The MP3 format allows for audio compression and can allow the storage of over 50 hours of audio per CD. The MP3 format is compatible with many newer DVD and portable CD players, as well as MP3 players. The MP3 format is also playable on Windows based computers using Real Player, Windows Media Player or other players.

Attention EBay: After a careful search of the Library of Congress and the United States Trademark and Patent Office, it has been determined that the programs listed for sale here are in the Public Domain. They are being offered with the understanding that no valid or active copyright, trademark, and/or patent exist for them. These recordings are sold for private home listening and use only. No broadcast rights are stated, implied, or given. Historical Media assumes no responsibility for unauthorized use of these programs. The Library Of Congress has ruled that old radio broadcasts are within the Public Domain, since they were not qualified for copyright protection when presented, nor was any attempt to place them under such copyright protection when the opportunity existed in 1978-1979 when the copyright law regarding these programs was revised. Radio shows created before January 1, 1978 are protected by the Copyright Act of 1909. These shows are listed in accordance with current EBay policies concerning selling Old Time Radio Public Domain materials.