Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 9, 2019

Lou (Lou Costello) and Bud (Bud Abbott) are wrestling promoters about to those their sure thing with the hulking Abdullah (Wee Willie Davis), who’s grown weary of their shenanigans. Returning home to Algiers, Abdullah is soon pursued by Bud and Lou, who need their moneymaker, with the boys accidentally falling into trouble with the locals, which leads them to an accidental enlistment with the Foreign Legion, soon exposed to the harsh conditions of the desert.

Away from screens for over a year, Abbott and Costello churn out a quickie for Universal Pictures with 1950’s “Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion,” which was released to theaters a mere six weeks after it completed principal photography. Such speed is noticeable in the feature, which is almost entirely dependent on Abbott and Costello to do everything for the production, keeping them together for lengthy stretches of screen time. The screenplay isn’t much, trying to cook up a plot to keep Algerian intrigue alive, but time with Bud and Lou delivers scattered laughs, mostly emerging from a mid-movie trip to basic training, where Lou deals with powerful weaponry and combat dummies, realizing he’s in over his head.

Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Utilizing an older master, the AVC encoded image (1.36:1 aspect ratio) presentation is less than ideal, offering steady softness and mild filtering throughout the viewing experience. Textures are missed, as the feature deals with unusual settings and costumes, and only basic facial surfaces remain. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in decent shape, with mild scratches and speckling, and some stretches of judder.

Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix generally preserves the cartoon atmosphere of "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion," handling dialogue exchanges comfortably, preserving speedy comedic rhythms and more dramatic conversations. Scoring is on the thin side, but supportive, with reasonably defined orchestral energy to prop up slapstick sequences. Sound effects are somewhat dulled.

Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Image Gallery (4:59) collects film stills, publicity shots, poster art, and lobby cards.

• Production Notes (1:39) share information on the making of "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion."

• A Trailer has not been included.

Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion" feels fairly slapdash throughout, double-dipping on routines. The whole thing plays like a long stage show, putting Abbott and Costello in different environments to see what they do, while storytelling urgency is seriously lacking. The picture has the air of a panicked studio move, pushing the feature out as fast as possible to keep pop culture relevancy intact. It has some moments that connect, and an unusual location for tomfoolery, but "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion" is one of their weakest efforts.