User Reviews

I taped this off UK TV in 1988 – the washed out condition of the print even then made it look as if it could be from 300 years ago, but recently seeing the even more degraded copy TCM US is showing made me think it really was! How did this get into such a state – the wobbly cheap colour and choppy copies from multiple TV dupes haven't helped to be sure, but it all makes it a bit of an ordeal to sit through without rose-tinted glasses on.

At the cutely named Death's Head Tavern Bud & Lou unwittingly join forces with Charles Laughton playing Captain Kidd on the track of a treasure island – much fun is made of the map of Skull Island continually getting mixed up with Lou's supposed My Darling Darling Darling love letter. Add a deliberately devilish Leif Erickson as a sidekick for Laughton and elegant Hilary Brook as a pantomime Captain Bonney for something good to look at and you have the main crew. There's plenty of lusty non-pc songs, maybe too many but some not too bad and all well sung, my favourite being the romantic Speak To Me sung by the corny romantic leads on the pirate ship. It was the 2nd of the two films A&C did for Warners in 1952 (this was Bud's choice, Jack was Lou's), and was amazingly successful noisy slapstick at the time; the reason given by Laughton as to why he accepted the role was to learn how to do double takes from Costello. He generally hammed it up nicely and he and the boys in particular seemed to enjoy themselves, but it all seemed a bit too laboured at times.

For anyone new who might be interested in A&C this is not the film to start with, unless you're under 10 years old. And yet … I still end up watching this jolly nonsense every five years or so, never mind the grotty condition.

An underwhelming later entry for the comedy team, this is of interest only because it's a color film which provides a chance to see Charles Laughton yucking it up as the title baddie. But there's very little meat to chew on while watching Bud and Lou act as hapless waiters sailing aboard the ship of the mean old Captain Kidd (Laughton). Of course there are many recycled older gags ... two of them include: Lou accidentally dropping a bar of soap into Kidd's soup and producing bubbles from everyone's mouthes (just how exhausted was that routine by this time?), and also Lou having a chance to rough Kidd up a bit while the pirate's hands are chained behind his back. (This latter bit was so much better performed when it was William Bendix as the recipient back in 1943's WHO DONE IT?). Hillary Brooke is on hand as a tough-acting blonde, easier on the eyes than a crew full of obnoxious men. ** out of ****

Considering that Abbott and Costello had done "Meet The Invisible Man" the previous year, this film was a big comedown for them. But then again, considering that around the same period they also did "Comin' Round The Mountain" and "Lost In Alaska", maybe "Meet Captain Kidd" was par for the course. The saddest part here (apart maybe from all the singing that at times makes you feel as if you're watching a second-rate musical) is to observe how few verbal elements have remained in A&C's comedy; instead, their humor has been reduced to the lowbrow, unsophisticated slapstick of mugging, dumb misunderstandings, and people falling down or getting hit with shovels. But sometimes A&C's talent still comes through and the film can make you laugh in spite of yourself. Charles Laughton is loud, bombastic and takes a lot of bumps, to generally unfunny effect; Hillary Brooke is downright sexy as a female captain, and is without a doubt the brightest spot of this movie. (**)

I don't mind that the movie has no plot or that it's so noisy my 90-year old grandmother complained or that Charles Laughton thinks he's the one who should supply the laughs and not the menace. What I do mind is that A&C have so little to do. They manage a few bits, but these are crowded out by the chaotic knock-about. It's like someone said we don't have a script or any routines, so let's just run around, make noise, and maybe no one will notice. Maybe the best thing is the really great special effects. The masted ships and sea battle look like they come from an A-production, which they may have. But even the explosions on the sea-shore sets are well done. Too bad the rest of the movie doesn't rise to that level. And pity the poor regally composed Hillary Brooke who looks like she's missing all the mayhem, at the same time Laughton manages more mugs per minute than a race car generates RPM's. In my little book, this is one of the least of the 5 or 6 entries in the A&C Meets... series.

One of the worst Abbott and Costello films. It's a boring drag of a movie to sit through. I didn't laugh once but the movie seems less interested in comedy than adventure and romance, both of which are weak at best. Dreadful songs as well. Beautiful Hillary Brooke's career was on a downward slope here and it shows. Charles Laughton appears to be having some fun as Captain Kidd. Unfortunately, I didn't really have fun along with him. I wish I could point to one thing and say "remove that and you have a good picture" but unfortunately I can't. It's just a poorly made unfunny comedy with bad songs and way too much focus on everybody who isn't Abbott and Costello. For A&C completists only.

I had mixed feelings about this one. It was a nice surprise to find out that it was filmed in colour, even though it looked bad. I have to turn up the colour on my TV every time I watch it. The film's not to bad with A+C doing there usual routines. Only 1 song is OK the others stink. One song halfway through goes on forever and slows down the action. Charles Laughton seems to be enjoying himself, larking about. A+C fans should enjoy their screen presence and there are a few laughs here and there. Hilary Brooke is fine too. Shame about the uninteresting romantic interest between Lady Jane and Bruce.

Can't think of a particular scene that stands out. Go watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Bud and Lou only made two color films--this and "Jack and the Beanstalk"--and for some reason the color on both of them is terrible, with this the worst of the two. For some unfathomable reason it was shot in shoddy Cinecolor, which was a cheap alternative to Technicolor developed mostly so low-budget producers could afford to make color films (Technicolor was too expensive for those smaller outfits). However, since this film was made by Warner Bros. you have to wonder why the studio didn't shoot it in Technicolor instead of cheap, muddy Cinecolor; it's not like Warners couldn't afford it! Anyway, the lousy photography detracts from what could have been, with a few improvements, a much more enjoyable film. It's good to see Hillary Brooke in color; the miserable quality of the photography can't hide the fact that she's a stunningly beautiful woman, with an icy, regal sexiness reminiscent of Grace Kelly or Eva Marie Saint. However, the romantic subplot between her and the terminally bland Bill Shirley is a complete bust, as the two have no chemistry whatsoever and you find yourself wondering what a babe like Hillary is doing with a slug like him. In addition, everything comes to a screeching halt so they can throw in some interminable, and third-rate, musical numbers. The picture would have been better off with fewer of them. In fact, it would have been better off with NONE of them.

That being said, however, this is still an enjoyable film, although far from prime A&C. The boys are starting to show their age, and their timing is a little off in spots, but they still know how to wring laughs out of a script as lame as this one. Besides, Charles Laughton is really fun to watch. It's said that he agreed to do this film because he thought Lou Costello was one of the industry's best physical comics; he had always wanted to do slapstick, and figured if you're gonna do it, learn from the best. He acquits himself quite well, too, even though every so often you can see where he tries a bit too hard; some of his bits look like they were precisely rehearsed, which they no doubt were, but good comedy isn't supposed to look like it was rehearsed. Still, he seems to be having a whale of a good time, and considering that he had never done anything like this before, does a very impressive job.

As I said, this is hardly Bud & Lou's best, but it's not among their worst ("Dance With Me Henry" holds that honor) or even their not particularly good ("A&C Go to Mars"). The two best things about it, besides Bud & Lou, are Laughton and Hillary Brooke; she's truly gorgeous, and it's easy to see why Costello used her as his love interest in the team's TV series. If you haven't seen this film before, it's worth checking out.

Capt. William Kidd (Charles Laughton) and his rancorous crew have descended on the port city where Oliver "Puddin' Head" Johnson (Lou Costello) and Rocky Stonebridge (Bud Abbott) work as tavern waiters. Lady Jane asks the two idiots to deliver a love note to the Bruce Martingale. Capt. Kidd takes Capt. Anne Bonney (Hillary Brooke) to find his treasure on Skull Island. Puddin' Head mistakenly switches the treasure map with the love letter. Capt. Kidd shanghais the two idiots for the map but the bumbling continues.

This is a pretty broad old comedy. It's not a classic by any means but it has its cute moments. The duo is fun although not terribly funny. Laughton is great as Kidd. I don't think I laughed but I smiled at a lot of it.

While Abbott & Costello don't make much swash buckling in this story, the color in this color feature is horrible, & the musical numbers even worse, they did one thing right.

Charles Laughton as Captain Kidd is easily the films greatest asset. The way he plays off Costello is great. Too bad there is not enough of it to save the film. There is way too little of the boys, & way too much horrible music in a short 70 minute film.

Sad thing is the idea could have been so much more. This is one film where the tickets were sold on the title, but the viewers were disappointed. While it is not their worst because of Laughton, it is no where near the teams best film.

At least it is the boys in color. Besides Jack & The Beanstalk which also has terrible music & color, this is the only other color film they did. Color me blue that a great idea gets wasted.

Charles Laughton did a badly edited biographical film of Captain Kidd in 1945 although his performance as the cockney captain with aspirations to class is memorable. We don't often get a second crack at roles when they don't become mega-hits, but Laughton got it and made the most of it.

Laughton got one here although he had to take on Abbott and Costello as co-stars. But I will say that the distinguished Mr. Laughton more than held his own with those two burlesque comics. Especially when you consider that his co-stars names were in the title of the film.

Of course it was fans of A&C who went to see the film, but you get your audiences from where they come. Check Laughton's deadpan face when he's doing the old handcuff gag where Costello thinks he's got Captain Kidd cuffed behind his back and helpless. They did the same routine on their television show with Gordon Jones as Mike the Cop and the results are just as hilarious.

Speaking of the television show, Hillary Brooke from the cast of their show is also on hand as Laughton's rival, Captain Bonnie. Fran Warren and Bill Shirley have a great pair of voices, too bad the songs that they got to sing in the film aren't worthy of them.

Abbott and Costello were on a downward slide of their careers, but this film does hearken back to their early days at Universal when they were grinding out a whole bunch of comedy gems.

But the thing that has always gotten me about this film is the way Charles Laughton just dove right in to the slapstick spirit of this movie. Costello was known for not getting along with several of his co-stars, many of them had less than kind things to say. But according to observers, Laughton got along just fine with the boys.

You can tell by the side splitting results.

Egad, this is an awful and dull film. Considering that Abbott and Costello had a whole lot of films behind them and some clout, I always have wondered why they agreed to do some seriously bad films--particularly in the latter part of their careers. Were they THAT in need of money or narcissistic that they'd agree to be in films even if they are just plain awful? I know that after WWII, Bud and Lou had some serious tax problems and lost their fortunes, but I would have assumed by 1952 and with a lot of films behind them they still didn't need money THIS badly! What's so bad about this film? Well, the first and most obvious are the wretched songs. Not only are they totally inappropriate for a pirate film, they are even more distracting than the songs in their other movies. The other obvious problem was Charles Laughton. While an exceptional actor, he had a reputation for over-acting if the director didn't keep a firm hand. In this film, you'd assume there is no director at all, as any sane director would have told Laughton to shut up...or at least stop screaming!! It seems that Laughton's interpretation of Captain Kidd is a man who talks at the top of his voice all the time! It's actually amazing to think that Laughton was NOT in his first film but an accomplished actor--his acting was THAT bad.

Speaking of the real Kidd, almost nothing about this film is like real pirates or the real Kidd. It's like one cliché after another. Pirates (with the exception of Blackbeard) were not bully-boys, as their crew would have killed them and the real life Kidd was completely dominated by his crew. Heck, he apparently only turned to piracy because his crew gave him the choice of this or death! There are also only two cases of female pirates (a common Hollywood cliché) and neither were captains--just crew members on the same small and insignificant ship. Also, if real pirates had met these jolly singing idiot pirates, they probably would have killed them--as well as marveled at how clean and well-dressed the all were! Why, oh why couldn't they just shut up and quit with the singing?! As for Bud and Lou, they seemed to have less screen time than usual in this film. They are like bystanders throughout much of the film. When they are involved, it usually consists of scenes where Laughton screams at Lou. Wow, that's funny...not! Among the team's least funny and enjoyable films. The only one that might be as bad or worse is JACK AND THE BEANSTALK--even IT AIN'T HAY, LOST IN ALASKA and Africa SCREAMS are much better than this film.

You know, I had considered doing this review like Laughton emoted in the film, but I don't think IMDb allow reviews that are in all capital letters!!

For information on the real Kidd, try www.thepiratesrealm.com/Captain%20Kidd.html .

I am an admirer of Charles Laughton,who I regard as the finest ever British screen actor.This is often viewed as the nadir of his movie career but it did seem to me he entered into the spirit of proceedings admirably,mugging energetically and taking pratfalls with the best of them Bud and Lou will satisfy their fans but win no new devotees in a movie slowed down by stultifyingly bad musical interludes and the colour is garish and ugly

Laughton,seemingly relishing the chance to play a variant on the pantomime villains he doubtless enjoyed watching in the theatre as a child,is the main reason to give this the time of day

Charles Laughton slums it as the titular pirate in one of only two films Abbott & Costello made in colour (the other was Jack and the Beanstalk from the same year). He bellows his lines with gusto, and seems to be having a great time. It's an enjoyable enough entry - especially considering the duo were now well past their prime - but there are too many musical numbers padding out its already brief running time.

Okay, right up front, this is not a very good movie. A lot of the jokes are lame, way too much time is taken up with bad musical numbers, and the gruesome CineColor photography looks like a throwback to the two-strip Technicolor of the early talkies.

But I like it anyway, even if I grit my teeth whenever the pirates start singing, as they much too frequently do. That's right, I like it ... because we get to see Charles Laughton, one of the screen's greatest actors, goofing it up with pratfalls, double takes, and other slapstick shtick. And doing it well.

Laughton really lets himself go, clearly having fun burlesquing a role he'd played seriously a few years earlier. He struts, fumes, scowls, and growls. He makes the most of the script's often limited possibilities. He holds his own against his bete noir, Costello. By the end, he's channeling Looney Tunes in exaggerated pantomime - polishing a dagger, plucking a hair from his head (boink!) to test the blade, then launching into a salty seadog dance. Bugs Bunny couldn't have done it better.

If only there were more Laughton and fewer caterwauling buccaneers ...

This is a curious film. Abbott and Costello were only a bit beyond their prime, ready to do the first year of their still beloved television series. Someone, apparently at Warner Brothers, suggested this movie, a low-budget musical comedy filmed in a wretched color process that all but killed the project in itself. Hiring Charles Laughton to do slapstick and Hillary Brooke, quite a talent in herself, must have taken more of the budget than anticipated. The toy ships, the cheap sets, the dreadful choreography, and the forgettable music do little to enhance the low comedy. What an interesting choice for the singing lead: big band singer Fran Warren. She couldn't act worth a lick, but oh those pipes! The song "Speak to me of the Tall Pines" is actually not bad. Her romantic relationship in the film with the totally forgettable tenor is awkward at best. Still, three cheers for Laughton. He steals every scene he's in. But in this crummy film, that isn't saying much.

This was kind of in the middle of the abbott and costello adventures. And in color! The big guest star in this one is charles laughton, as captain kidd. Because he had just played "captain kidd" a few years back! Not to mention captain bligh. In the film, puddin and rocky get captain kidd to bring them along on a voyage, since they have a copy of the treasure map. The usual pratfalls, one and two liners. Mixups and misunderstandings. Every now and then, they break out in song, which isn't really my thing, but the 1950's was kind of the musical decade. Insults and smacks from abbott. And pretty much everyone gets hit on the head with a shovel! It's silly and wacky and zany. A fun change of pace for laughton, after all his heavy films. Laughton was probably best known for mutiny and witness, but he actually won the oscar for henry VIII. They even make a shakespeare joke. Directed by charles lamont. Lou costello died so young at 52.

Of Interest only to Die-Hard A & C Fans, this is a Bawdy, Bad Rendering of the Duos Comedic Talents with Lame Slapstick and Their Worst Verbal Puns.

Charles Laughton and Hillary Brooke Add a bit of Interest but the Movie just Seems like Old Recycled Stuff and the Result is a Good Try but Ultimately Unfunny and Repetitive.

Managing to String a Bunch of Forgettable Songs with a Slew of Forgettable Comedy Skits, the Film is most of the time Borderline Awful and Embarrassing. Far from Their Prime and holding on for Dear Life (they shortly went to a TV Series), Abbott and Costello are still Remembered Fondly, but Certainly Not for this Abysmal Adventure.

Worth a Watch for A & C Completest Only.

Not being a real fan of Abbot & Costello movies I'm mainly interested in seeing the lighthearted performance of Charles Laughton (Captain Kidd), which strongly brings to mind one of his earlier films, part comedy, "Vessel of Wrath" (1938) where he plays a listless beachcomber who gets reformed from his lackadaisical ways. There's also the 1945 drama movie "Captain Kidd" which Laughton starred in that might interest viewers too.

Hillary Brooke (Capt. Bonney) isn't strong in comedy here and I regard her more of a dramatic actress but I could be wrong. My main memory of her is as the haughty, stunning beauty, Blanche Ingram, in the 1944 movie "Jane Eyre."

On the whole this A&C movie can be taken with a few grains of salt, or snuff, which is what they used in those days. It's enjoyable to see the very idyllic settings of palm trees, quiet lagoons, and spectacular galleon ships but things are livened up with pirate fights, blazing cannons, etc. Good fun for your money.

In the 17th century, "Death's Head Tavern" waiters Bud Abbott (as Rocky Stonebridge) and Lou Costello (as Oliver "Puddin' head" Feathergill) meet blustery Charles Laughton (as Captain Kidd) and his tall blonde rival Hillary Brooke (as Captain Bonney). Abbott and Lou Costello accidentally obtain a treasure map and use it to join Mr. Laughton and the pirates on a trip to "Skull Island" with young lovers Bill Shirley (as Bruce Martingale) and Fran Warren (as Lady Jane) also venturing forward. This noisy, cluttered musical comedy captures the box office stars and their big name guest at low tide.

*** Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (12/27/52) Charles Lamont ~ Lou Costello, Charles Laughton, Bud Abbott, Hillary Brooke

Rocky and Oliver `Puddin' are happy go-luck folk in a port town. When they try to deliver a love letter from Lady Jane to sailor Bruce they get trapped on the ship of Captain Kidd. Kidd's treasure map gets mixed with Bruce's love letter and Oliver finds himself in a whole heap of hot water.

The story doesn't really matter – every A&C film has a silly setup for them to do their stuff, what does matter is the comedy. Here fans (of whom I'm one) will be happy that A&C are their usual selves despite looking older and fuller around the waist. Their routines are good and Captain Kidd gets involved well.

The problem with the film is that it moves away from the values of their older films. The Technicolour is pretty horrible and actually takes away from the film – making it feel like a gaudy matinee C-movie instead of a comedy classic. What is worse is the tonne of poor musical numbers – they really slow down the comedy, in fact they seem to take up most of the film. The romance element is also dull. However fans will be happy with both A&C's performances and Charles Laughton, who could easily have looked done hi nose at this, joins in really well and hams it up.

Overall this is not one of their best, but Abbot and Costello fans will enjoy their antics, but feel free to fast forward all the songs.

One of the least funny "comedies" I've ever seen. I can't believe the IMDb rating for this is so close to that of the original "Captain Kidd" (1945). I like Charles Laughton but this is just beneath him. If you want to see him in a truly funny, witty comedy, check out "Ruggles Of Red Gap" (1935).

Fran Warren's singing is just about the only highlight here. I was quite annoyed when one of her songs was interrupted for more stupid gags. Her romantic subplot and "characterization" (haha) is practically non-existent, but at least her musical numbers (as forgettable as the songs are) provide a respite from the rest of the idiocy.

I'm not big on Abbott and Costello, but I assume this is near the end of their career, and they've done better work? They'd never be so famous if "Meet Captain Kidd" was typical for them, right?

Recommended if you enjoy obvious physical "humour", childish slapstick, lame running gags (more like, tired limping gags), just plain bad writing, amateurish directing/editing, and what seems like a constant background noise of pirates yelling along with a clunky musical score which seems to desperately implore, "laugh here! please? are we having fun yet?" I almost feel sorry for this movie. But I feel sorrier for myself and anyone else who tries to get through it.

I've read that Warner's done some grand restoration which they're planning to release on DVD. Although I normally hate to see films deteriorate like this one has, not taken care of over the years ...this is SUCH a bad movie, I can't help feeling it's not worth the time and expense! So many better movies deserve rescuing more than this piece of crap. But I suppose A&C are bankable names and even their weakest (to put it kindly) stuff will sell... which is all Warner Bros. cares about. I hope my review encourages some people to save their money. Arrggh, mateys! Hide your loot from those cutthroats who would rob you! And remember, my "clever" pirate reference just now, is more hilarious than all the jokes in "Meet Captain Kidd", put together. Yes, it's THAT BAD.