Wonderful character development!

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The famous "fire-truck" car-chase footage (exerpt) reused in 3 Universal movies shows up here, also in "Never give a Sucker an Even Break", and "Fireman, Save my Child". As "Society" plumbers they tear up the bathroom and it floats away. They are mistakenly sent another society invitation to a party instead of a complaint letter for destroying the plumbing. They "borrow" other guests' clothing and attend the affair. Lou undressing for the bath is a scream! Arthur Treacher plays "Pipps" the English butler. All too familiar material, even the stolen painting ("Animal Crackers") gag. Best enjoyed for "The Bagel St." and Susquehanna Hat Co." routine as everybody Lou asks for directions goes berserk and "pops" a straw hat. Only one (of four) songs is enjoyable: "No 'bout' a doubt it..." sung by (another) beautiful blonde. More action than later films. Tally Ho! The fox hunt is great fun, as Lou ends up "cuddling" with the fox.

I personally found this film lacking in greatness for some reason. It was the first A&C film to be released in a year due to Lou's bout with rheumatic fever, however it just wasn't the same as all of their previous films. Don't get me wrong. It's still a funny film and worth seeing(worth owning if like me you're a devoted A&C fan), just don't expect anything like they're best films. Although, it does contain the Susquehanna Hat Company routine, which is always funny to watch. Particularly the lane, "He ain't dead lady, he's hidin'!". And of course the plumbing scene at the beginning is a highlight. I think what gets me though is that Universal was so rude to put in a scene where Costello saves a man from drowning, to which Abbott gets onto him for saving the man without a license. The reason this gets me is because this was the first film after Lou's son had drowned, and that scene had to be hard on him. Overall an average comedy, but Abbott and Costello still manage to make it good.

In Society (1944) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Abbott and Costello play plummers who are accidentally invited to a rich person's house for the weekend where they much try to become part of society. Apparently A&C were causing a lot of troubles for the production of this thing due to a contract issue and the final results really show. This certainly isn't their worst film but it's certainly middle of the ground stuff. Most of the jokes just don't flow right as they seemed rushed and forced. Still, there are several minor laughs that keep this thing going for fans.

IN SOCIETY (1944)*** One of Abbott and Costello's finest and funniest comedies with the boys as bumbling plumbers hobnobbing with the hoi palloi with some amusing moments in one of the first snob/slob comedies. Best bit: "Bagel Street" bit with poor Lou being abused while trying to run an errand for a friend.