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Released January 31, 1941
Featuring Shemp Howard (Solo)
Universal
84.2 min. (Feature Film)

Two shady street vendors, Slicker Smith (Bud Abbott) and Herbie Brown (Lou Costello), inadvertantly enlist in the Army while on the run from policeman Sgt. Collins (Nat Pendleton). Slicker and Herbie are quickly horrified to learn that their boot camp Sergeant is... Sgt. Collins.

Answering the draft, the Company also welcomes rich playboy Randy Parker (Lee Bowman) and his put-upon chaffeur Bob Martin (Alan Curtis). Parker is certain his family's money and influence will spring him back to civilian life, but Parker Sr. decides the Army is the solution needed to turn his son from a playboy, into a responsible man. Parker and Martin also find themselves competing for the affections of USO hostess Judy Gray (Jane Frazee).

Lou Costello shines in a musical number performed with Shemp Howard, When Private Brown Becomes a Captain.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's first starring film, and in spite of the intrusive, romantic sub-plot of Bowman/Curtis/Frazee, the burlesque veterans easily make BUCK PRIVATES their own. Classic routines include: "Marry a Girl From the Hills," "Dice Game," "Lend Me $50," "Go Ahead and Play the Radio," and an extended reprise of their drill routine. The Andrews Sisters (Patty, Maxene & LaVerne) perform several numbers. Musical numbers often distract during feature comedies, but the Andrews' numbers (Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Bounce Me Brother With a Solid Four, You're a Lucky Fellow Mr. Smith, I'll Be With You When It's Apple Blossom Time) are edited/inserted as pleasurable diversions throughout the film.

View the RealArt re-issue theatrical trailer at TCM.com

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Avg. Rating: [8.80/10]
 
BUCK PRIVATES on IMDb

Bud Abbott
Slicker Smith

Lou Costello
Herbie Brown

Nat Pendleton
Sgt. Mike Collins

Lee Bowman
Randy Parker

Alan Curtis
Bob Martin

Jane Frazee
Judy Gray

Shemp Howard
Mess hall cook

Kenne Duncan
Sgt. on sidewalk

William Gould
Recruiting Major

Selmer Jackson
Capt. Johnson

James Flavin
Recruiting Sergeant

Stanley Blystone
Recruiting Sergeant

Jack Mulhall
Doctor conducting physicals

George Magrill
1st policeman in patrol car

Joseph La Cava
Recruit confronting Herbie

Stanley Smith
Corporal in Information booth

Jimmie Lucas
Sergeant in lobby

Tom Coleman
Sgt. paging Dr. Coldwater

William Hall
Corporal in lobby

Harold Goodwin
Sergeant in terminal

Dora Clement
Miss Durling

Nell O'Day
Camp hostess

Janet Warren
Camp hostess

Kay Leslie
Camp hostess

Nina Orla
Camp hostess

Jeanne Kelly
Camp hostess

Dorothy Darrell
Camp hostess

Bud Mercer
Recruit

Charles Coleman
Edmunds, Parker's butler

Nella Walker
Mrs. Parker

Don Raye
Private

Eddie Hall
Recruit watching crap game

Leonard Elliott
Pvt. Henry Sloan

Frank Penny
Master Sgt. Marks

Harry Strang
Master Sgt. Callahan

J. Anthony Hughes
Capt. Williams

Samuel S. Hinds
Major Gen. Emerson

Douglas Wood
Randy Parker Sr.

Frank Cook
Harmonica / guitar player

Lloyd Ford
Fighter

Tom Tyler
Boxing referee

Frankie Van
2nd in ring

Frank Grandetta
Pvt. Maguire, skinny boxer

Al Billings
Kayo, boxer

George Hoagland
Fight spectator

Franklyn Farnum
War games officer

Gino Corrado
War games officer

Lyle Moraine
Lt. Poole

Robert Wayne
Lt. Albright

Will Morgan
Lieutenant

Tom Reed
Lieutenant

Jerome Harte
Corporal

Bob Reeves
Conductor

Jack Perrin
Conductor

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Himself, archive footage

Henry Lewis Stimson
Himself, archive footage

Pat Costello
Lou's stunt double

John Butler
Supply Sgt., scene deleted

Unidentified BUCK PRIVATES 2
Boxing match timekeeper

Unidentified BUCK PRIVATES 12
Swearing-in ceremony

Unidentified BUCK PRIVATES 13
Parker's girlfriends

Unidentified BUCK PRIVATES 19
Apple Blossom Time / Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

Unidentified BUCK PRIVATES 21
Maj. Emerson's staff


Arthur Lubin
Director

Alex Gottlieb
Associate Producer

John Grant
Special Material

Milton R. Krasner
Director of Photography

Jerome Ash
Director of Photography

Philip Cahn
Film Editor

Jack Otterson
Art Director

Ralph M. DeLacy
Associate Art Director

Russell A. Gausman
Set Decoration

Bernard B. Brown
Sound Supervisor

Paul Neal
Sound Technician

Charles Previn
Musical Director

Ted Cain
Music Supervisor

Vic Schoen
Music Arranger

Don Raye
Original Music

Frank Skinner
Original Music

Vic Schoen
Original Music

Neville Fleeson
Music and Lyrics

Albert Von Tilzer
Music and Lyrics

Sonny Burke
Music and Lyrics

Joseph E. Kenney
Assistant Director

Vernon Keays
Assistant Director

Gil Valle
Assistant Director

Nick Castle
Dance Director

Jack Voglin
Military Advisor



















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