Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		2.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

It Ain't Hay Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 23, 2019

Wilbur (Lou Costello) makes a critical error when he feeds a peppermint stick to a horse owned by pal King (Cecil Kellaway) and his daughter, Princess (Patsy O’Connor). When the animal dies, Wilbur is desperate to make the situation right, joining pal Grover (Bud Abbott) at the local track to make a small fortune and buy another horse. Following a tip on possible horse for sale, Wilbur accidentally takes ownership of champion Tea Biscuit, gifting the animal to Princess. With crooks and cops on the prowl to collect a reward for Tea Biscuit’s return, Wilbur and Grover try to clean up their mess.

For “It Ain’t Hay,” production inspiration emerges from a Damon Runyon short story, though I doubt the celebrated writer ever imagined one of his works would one day star Abbott and Costello and contain the image of a horse wearing sunglasses. Silliness is the star of this show, with the comedy duo playing a madcap game of horse switcheroo, putting Wilbur and Grover against those trying to stand in the way of a little girl and her pet horse. While there’s an act of tonal bravery by having a horse die in “It Ain’t Hay,” the production isn’t trying to be a Disney movie, going full steam ahead with slapstick encounters as the saga of Tea Biscuit unfolds.

It Ain't Hay Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The early reels of "It Ain't Hay" showcase some wear and tear, with numerous blemishes and light scratches on display. The AVC encoded image (1.36:1 aspect ratio) presentation calms down near the midway point, but wrestles with an older master, softening costumes and sets. Facial surfaces register a bit blocky at times. Delineation is comfortable, preserving dense animal hair and clothing.

It Ain't Hay Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also wrestles with age-related issues, including a brief audio dropout around the 21:00 mark. Once it moves past some roughness, the track provides a clear understanding of performance choices, with dialogue exchanges coming through sharply, capturing Costello's squeals and whistles without distortion. Scoring cues are acceptable, with decent instrumentation, and musical numbers carry a little more power, balanced with clean vocals.

It Ain't Hay Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features Scott Allen Nollen.

• Image Gallery (3:28) collects film stills, publicity shots, poster art, and lobby cards.

• Production Notes (1:29) share information on the making of "It Ain't Hay."

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

It Ain't Hay Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"It Ain't Hay" doesn't have a lot of laughs, but it's always on the move, playing into Wilbur's panic with his various mistakes, which eventually takes him to the race track, becoming an accidental jockey. Outside of the sunglasses bit, there's less of a cartoon mood here, which is a good thing, keeping Abbott and Costello within the range of their natural gifts.