Abbott & Costello in the Catskills: An Authentic Recreation of a 1930s Borscht Belt Variety Show, Recorded before a Live Audience in the Catskills

Summary

Abbott & Costello in the Catskills isan authentic recreation of a 1930s Borscht Belt variety show, recorded before alive audience in the Catskills.

In this New Oldtime Radio Hour, Lou Costello(Bob Greenberg) follows Bud Abbott (Joe Bevilacqua) to the Catskills whenAbbott is hired as sole Master of Ceremonies of a Borscht Belt variety show.Meanwhile, guest stars George Burns and Cab Calloway miss their train, forcingAbbott to sing and dance in their place! Guest stars that do show up includeGracie Allen (Lorie Kellogg), Harpo Marx (Kenny Savoy), Ruth Waters (DeLoisHouse), and Sophie Tucker, Last of the Red Hot Mamas (Teri Paris).

Musicalnumbers are performed by Ukulele Elaine & The Hurleyville UkuleleOrchestra, Banjo Steve Levine, and Leon Sandow and His Columbia Captivators: LeonHilfstein (piano), Buddy Allen (saxophone), and Bill Margargle (drums).

Comedysketches performed include “Lambchops” (Bud Abbott and Gracie Allen) and “Who’son First?” (Bud Abbott and Lou Costello). During the curtain call, Bud Abbottsings “Minnie the Moocher.”