"The Time of Their Lives" - Abbott and Costello

 I hope you will read this. Maybe you won't watch it. But it's worth the read. It's the story of the only film Abbott and Costello ever made in which they do not play their usual comedic duo. As a matter of fact, Bud Abbott plays a dual role set 165 years apart. And that is what makes this film outstanding. The only real slapstick in it is performed briefly by Lou Costello. The two actors are presented in completely separate roles.

This story begins during the American Revolution and Costello plays a tinker named Horatio, who is in love with a servant girl named Nora. He hasn't enough money to buy her out of bondage in order to marry her, but armed with a letter of recommendation by General George Washington praising his work as a tinker and a Patriot, is poised to make both their desires a reality.

The Master of the house, Tom Danbury, is a spy for King George. His butler, Cuthbert, is played by Bud Abbott. And when he learns of the letter from General Washington, he steals that letter and hides it in a secret compartment in a clock.

Horatio decides that, rather than to wait and recover the letter to marry Nora, he will elope with her. To do this he enlists the aid of Melody, a social equal, who is in love with the Master, Tom Danbury, but knows nothing of his being a spy. Together, her and Horatio go forth to find the means of obtaining the money for Horatio to marry his love.

On the way out by horseback at night, with Melody dressed as a man, they are mistaken for traitors by General Putnam and his men. Horatio and Melody, fearing that these soldiers are British, fire a shot at them and are shot and killed as they attempt to flee. Their bodies are then stuffed down the well, and cursed to never have their spirits roam beyond the confines of the property until such time as evidence of their innocence can be uncovered. The rebels then loot the house of all its furniture and then burn it down. 

165 years pass with Horatio and Melody confined to the property. And then the local historical society, with the help of Danbury's memoirs and Dr. Greenway, the descendant of his butler, again played by Bud Abbott, rebuild the house exactly as it stood. A plaque is also placed by the well containing the two bodies which identifies them as traitors. The two must now recover both their dignity and their freedom. 

They also recover every piece of furniture that was looted, except for the original clock, which is now housed in a museum. This is the piece containing the letter which will set both Horatio and Melody free. 

This is the only film the comedy duo ever made where they are not paired as sidekicks. Instead, they play separate characters. And that, along with a wonderful plot, including 2 love stories, set over 165 years, make this film very worth watching.