…or Kidd for kids.
I grew up watching (and loving) Abbott and Costello movies. Every Sunday morning at 8:30, ABC in Detroit broadcasted one of the Universal A & C movies. It was only when I got older and became a movie buff that I was surprised to find that although I had seen the Universal movies countless times, there were several I had never encountered because the boys had a contractual deal that allowed them to make one movie a year outside Universal. Three of these are now in public domain, Africa Screams, Jack and the Beanstalk and Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd and every one of these movies stinks. Captain Kidd is probably the least odoriferous of the three but the non-stop unmemorable musical numbers (SIX songs in a 69 minute movie) and childish (even for A & C) comedy bits that have been done many times before almost make it unwatchable. The movie’s one saving grace is the great Charles Laughton hamming it up mercilessly as Captain Kidd. He seems to be a natural-born comedian who throws himself into every bit with gusto and whenever he is on-screen, I found a smile on my face. It reminds me to check out his original turn as Captain Kidd seven years before.
4/10
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