The Noose Hangs High (1948)

57% of users liked it
(908 ratings)

For their first independently-produced vehicle, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello chose to appear in a remake of the 1939 Universal programmer For Love or Money. Bud and Lou are cast as Ted and Tommy, two bumbling window washers hired by gangster Mike Craig (Joseph Calleila) to collect a $50,000 gambling… More For their first independently-produced vehicle, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello chose to appear in a remake of the 1939 Universal programmer For Love or Money. Bud and Lou are cast as Ted and Tommy, two bumbling window washers hired by gangster Mike Craig (Joseph Calleila) to collect a $50,000 gambling debt. The boys manage to pick up the money, only to deliver it to the wrong person, a pretty private secretary named Carol (Cathy Downs). Ordered to retrieve the money within 24 hours "or else," Ted and Tommy trace the cash to Carol, who has mistakenly distributed it amongst the entries in a mailing list. As our heroes desperately concoct methods of escaping Craig's wrath, eccentric gambler Julius Caesar McBride (Leon Errol), the man who "never loses," comes to the rescue. Despite its seeming complexity, the plot exists merely as a peg on which to hang several of Abbott and Costello's best routines, including "Bet you 10 dollars you're not here," "Hole in the Wall," "Packing and unpacking," "Getting Arrested," and, best of all, "Mudder and Fodder." Beyond the seven credited actors, the huge unbilled supporting cast includes such reliable laugh-getters as Benny Rubin, Murray Leonard, Elvia Allman, Herb Vigran, Fred Kelsey, James Flavin, Lyle Latell, Isabel Randolph and Paul Maxey. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Charles Barton
Written By: Harry Brown
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 5, 1948 Wide
On DVD: May 17, 2005
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...generally emphasizes juvenile, incredibly broad instances of comedy...

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Cast

            Lou Costello as Homer Hinchcliffe

            Bud Abbott as Ted Higgins

            Cathy Downs as Carol Scott

            Joseph Calleia as Mike Craig

            Leon Errol as Julius Caesar McBride

            Mike Mazurki as Chuck

            Jack Overman as Joe

            Fritz Feld as Psychiatrist

            Elvia Allman as Bit

            Louis Austin as Woman on Street

            Ellen Corby as Miss Van Buren's Maid

            Jimmie Dodd as Messenger

            Pat Flaherty as Tough Driver

            James Flavin as Traffic Cop

            Bess Flowers as Patient

            Arno Frey as Headwaiter

            Ben Hall as Messenger

            Alvin Hammer as Tipster

            Russell Hicks as Manager

            Fred Kelsey as Cop

            Joe Kirk as Gangster

            Lyle Latell as Workman

            Murray Leonard as Crazy Dentist

            James Logan as Valet

            Jerry Marlowe as Cashier

            Vera Martin as Elevator Girl

            Paul Maxey as Jewel Proprietor

            Ralph Montgomery as Waiter

            Isabel Randolph as Miss Van Buren

            Minerva Urecal as Husky Woman

            Herb Vigran as Man with Coat

            Tim Wallace Murphy
            
            Ben Welden as Stewart

            Chalky Williams as Cab Driver

            Matt Willis as Gangster

            Frank O'Connor as Postman

            Benny Rubin as Chinese

            Fred Browne
            
            Irmgard Dawson as Girl

            Sandra Spence as Dentist's Assistant

            Harry Brown as Upson
See full cast

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