ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET MAE WEST,THE VAMP(1946). Director: Charles Lamont.
Not seen for decades due to litigation, this turns out to be a very funny teaming of the boys and one risque gal named Mae. Just as A & C had done a film with "Boris Karloff, The Killer" in the title, they also did a similarly titled film with West. In this she plays a black widow who marries off and presumably murders one husband after another for their money. Her latest target is Lou Costello -- who's inherited a bundle, or so he thinks -- but his buddy Bud will have none of it -- until he falls under Mae's spell, too. The most hilarious scene has Mae trying to teach Lou the best way to make love to a woman. He then practices on Bud!
Verdict: You have to see Lou impersonating Mae to believe it! ***.
Not seen for decades due to litigation, this turns out to be a very funny teaming of the boys and one risque gal named Mae. Just as A & C had done a film with "Boris Karloff, The Killer" in the title, they also did a similarly titled film with West. In this she plays a black widow who marries off and presumably murders one husband after another for their money. Her latest target is Lou Costello -- who's inherited a bundle, or so he thinks -- but his buddy Bud will have none of it -- until he falls under Mae's spell, too. The most hilarious scene has Mae trying to teach Lou the best way to make love to a woman. He then practices on Bud!
Verdict: You have to see Lou impersonating Mae to believe it! ***.
