ADVERTISING ANARCHY! SELLING BUD ABBOTT & LOU COSTELLO TO WAR-TORN AMERICA

When they first crossed paths in the 1930s, Bud Abbott was working as a producer and a performer, while Lou Costello was a rising comic. But at the time, neither of them knew that they would form a double act and then go on to star in many notable productions across the next three decades, including two radio programs, thirty-six films, and one television series. To celebrate their careers, Richard S. Greene has written a book, 'Advertising Anarchy! Selling Bud Abbott & Lou Costello To War-Torn America', which explores the many ways the duo was sold to the public. His book also contains more than one thousand images of newspaper advertisements, film posters, lobby cards, publicity stills, and other promotional materials that showcase Abbott and Costello's legacy in the entertainment industry. What now follows is a selection of these images I was kindly allowed to share. Please enjoy.

A film poster promoting Abbott and Costello's joint cinematic debut, 'One Night in the Tropics', which was released in 1940 and directed by A. Edward Sutherland. Even though Abbott and Costello only had a minor role in the film version, they ultimately stole the show and went on to star in many more films.

The cover of 'Liberty' magazine, featuring Abbott and Costello wearing Mexican outfits. This was staged to help promote their seventh film together, 'Rio Rita', which was released roughly two months before the magazine's cover date, May 23, 1942.

A publicity still from Abbott and Costello's eighth consecutive film, 'Pardon My Sarong', which was released in 1942 and directed by Erle C. Kenton. The film premiered in Costello's hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, at a benefit for St. Anthony's Church.

The film poster for Abbott and Costello's thirteenth film together, 'Lost in a Harem', which was released in 1944 and directed by Charles Reisner. It was the first film they made after Costello's bout of rheumatic fever, an illness that left him bedridden for many months.

The cover of '1000 Jokes' magazine, issue thirty-six, which was published in the fall of 1945 by Dell Publishing. The cover features a manipulated photo of Abbott and Costello, who were at the peak of their careers at the time.

The film poster for Abbott and Costello's twenty-second film as a duo, 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein', which was released in 1948 and directed by Charles Barton. The film co-starred three actors who reprised their classic horror roles from earlier productions, including Lon Chaney Jr., who played the Wolf Man; Bela Lugosi, who played Dracula; and Glenn Strange, who played Frankenstein's monster.

The cover of 'Abbott and Costello Comics', issue one, which was part of an ongoing comic book series starring Abbott and Costello that was published by St. John Publishing Company between 1948 and 1956. The cartoonist, Charles M. Payne, illustrated the cover for the first issue.

An advertisement promoting the duo's television series, 'The Abbott and Costello Show', on KSTP-TV Channel 5, which was once an NBC affiliate. Their series ran for two seasons from 1952 to 1954.

A film still from Abbott and Costello's last film together, 'Dance with Me, Henry', which was released in 1956 and directed by Charles Barton. It was their thirty-sixth film, but their first after being dropped by Universal Pictures the previous year.

'Advertising Anarchy! Selling Bud Abbott & Lou Costello To War-Torn America' is a 726-page book written by Richard S. Greene that comes with a foreword penned by the Canadian actor, comedian, and writer, Dave Thomas. Please feel free to click here to pick up a copy via Amazon.