Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Buck Privates Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 23, 2019

Con men and habitual gamblers, Slicker (Bud Abbott) and Herbie (Lou Costello) make a critical error while trying to escape from the police, accidentally signing up for service while hiding out inside an Army enlistment center. Sent to boot camp, Slicker and Herbie are exposed to the demands of military service, sweating to avoid additional problems with their superiors. Also stuck in the Army is Randolph (Lee Bowman), a spoiled man trying to wiggle out of service, joined by his valet, Bob (Alan Curtis), with the combative men looking to capture the attention of Judy (Jane Frazee), a camp hostess.

In their second effort for Universal Pictures, Abbott and Costello are turned into leading men with “Buck Privates,” given most of the movie to work out their beloved stage routines, while the setting of boot camp provides plenty of opportunities for discomfort, allowing Costello to do what he does best: panic. A secondary plot is inserted into “Buck Privates” to balance out the shenanigans, but, of course, such straightforward storytelling only manages to block the view of Abbott and Costello, who are especially fired up here, ready to prove themselves with excitable performances and tight timing.

For additional analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2012 review.

Buck Privates Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Originally released on Blu-ray by Universal in 2012, "Buck Privates" returns to disc with a more managed transfer. The AVC encoded image (1.36:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from an old scan of the feature, which provides a processed look at the particulars of the film, finding slight filtering diminishing fine detail and grain is a tad zombified at times. Clarity is acceptable, but textures are largely absent, save for some tough uniform surfaces and expressive close-ups. Delineation is acceptable, never losing frame information. A few jumpy frames are detected, along with mild speckling and scratches.

Buck Privates Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound mix shows signs of age, with hiss carrying throughout the listening event, fluctuating with reel changes. Fuzziness is an issue as well. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible, permitting listeners to follow comedic routines without disruption, though distinction is lacking. Scoring efforts are bold, and musical numbers, while not precise, manage to deliver necessary energy and adequate instrumentation and vocals.

Buck Privates Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Bob Furmanek and Ron Palumbo.

• Image Gallery (3:10) collects publicity shots, film still, post art, and lobby cards.

• Production Notes (1:41) share information on the making of "Buck Privates."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:41, SD) is included.

Buck Privates Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What's not to like here? "Buck Privates" has high comedy, a boxing match, dance sequences, war games, full throttle Abbott and Costello, and support from The Andrew Sisters, who brighten up the proceedings with a number of songs, including one of their biggest hits, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." It's a spirited adventure all-around, also launching the big screen career for Abbott and Costello with defined goofball enthusiasm.