Why a 1950 comedy classic almost never made it to the silver screen
In short: Before Abbott and Costello could film their desert adventure, they faced a studio suspension, a health crisis, and a bitter contract dispute. Despite the behind-the-scenes chaos, the duo managed to deliver a slapstick romp that remains a quintessential example of their mid-century comedic style and enduring Hollywood legacy.
The production of Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion was fraught with professional and personal tension. In 1948, the duo fired their agent, Eddie Sherman, only to reconcile and rehire him just before cameras were set to roll. The project faced further delays when Lou Costello required surgery for a gangrenous gallbladder in November 1949. Universal-International, skeptical of the medical emergency, suspended the pair and withheld their $6,500 weekly salary during the holiday season.
Filming finally commenced on April 28, 1950, and concluded on May 29, 1950. Despite the availability of a stunt double, Costello insisted on performing his own wrestling sequences, resulting in a wrenched arm socket and a stretched tendon. The production also saw unusual creative hurdles; the studio attempted to incorporate the rabbit character from the film Harvey, but author Mary Chase blocked the inclusion. Interestingly, the film features a cameo by David Gorcey of the Bowery Boys and includes production assistance from Edward D. Wood Jr., as noted in Rudolph Grey's book Nightmare of Ecstasy.
Critics were divided upon the film's release. A. H. Weiler of The New York Times dismissed the project as a tired, plodding "consignment of corn," while the Los Angeles Times offered a starkly different perspective, praising the film for its "side-splitting gags." Regardless of the contemporary reception, the film has secured its place in history, appearing in multiple home media collections, including the 2008 Complete Universal Pictures Collection. It stands as a testament to the team's relentless work ethic, even as they navigated the shifting landscape of the studio system.
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