When I started this Abbott and Costello movie journey, my impression was the majority of the early films, minus HOLD THAT GHOST and WHO DONE IT, are all interchangeable. You know, comedy films where the comedians are comedy relief and there are romantic couples filling out the main plot and lots of musical filler. PARDON MY SARONG is almost like that, but not quite. Yes, there is a romantic couple and yes there is music, but both are used much better here. The important thing is they never interfere with the comedians, as I always feel like I’m watching an Abbott and Costello comedy.
First the couple. Robert Paige (not to be confused with Jimmy Plant), and Virginia Bruce don’t get in a complicated plot, which is a good thing. Basically, they just meet up with Bud and Lou, go off on the island and by that point they are in on the action with Bud and Lou, not separate. There are four musical numbers in this film and not one of them involves a sappy song to each other, which is always a plus. Robert Paige has made out well with the thankless leading man role. He was also in SON OF DRACULA, a film which in my opinion the couple is more interesting than the monster, the only such instance I can think of. Virginia Bruce was a screen veteran at this point and also carries herself very well. It’s interesting with her character in that she actually sticks up for Lou a few times when Bud mistreats him.
As for the music, in the technical sense, yes, it interrupts the comedy like in all these films, for the most part. The first two numbers go to The Ink Spots who I must say, are pretty darn entertaining. The tap dancing stuff is especially good. The final two numbers are hula girl island stuff which is also entertaining because there are a ton of pretty girls. It’s to the point where even a slight joke is made out of the pretty girls, as Virginia Bruce covers Robert Paige’s eyes. But to lend a philosophical bent to all the girls, I’ll quote Socrates, “Hot diggity!” One of the musical numbers they even make an excuse for Lou to interact with his island girlfriend, so the comedy team is not completely ignored. While on the subject of pretty girls and of Stooge fan interest, earlier in the film, Lou gets a brief flirtation with a blonde - it’s Ethelreda Leopold. So yes, there are music bits, but it’s all entertaining in my eyes. Certainly more my style than the MGM musical stuff of last film.
The comedy itself is plentiful here and Bud and Lou are in prime form. At the beginning of the film, we get some great interactions with William Demarest, another great supporting actor who makes a good showing for himself. Bud and Lou taking turns being the “twin” magicians is great and Demarest and Bud confusing Lou with whether to “go ahead” or “back up” on the bus is standard word confusion that no other team does better. Other classic bits are the baseball story at the gas station, the “stinker” routine with the native, the poisoning of the drink scene, and my favorite, the “tree of truth.” The latter has a wonderful build up, is a great chance for both Bud and Lou to work together and has a wonderful finale which I won’t give away. The ending of the film has a nice comic chase and there’s great island atmosphere throughout. The volcano cave towards the end, which does have some good comedy thrown in is Universal Horror atmospheric as is the enemy of the film, the great Lionel Atwill. His dry delivery and evil nature works in just about any film he’s in.
So overall, this would be the best film we have discussed so far minus HOLD THAT GHOST and even there, it’s worthy to be in the same company. A wonderful ensemble cast that compliments, not interferes, with the comedians and the comedians get plenty to do. I wish more of these early films were like this, but this week, I must say, I got a pleasant surprise.
