Abbott and Costello Try to “Hold That Ghost”- Tonight!

We've had a lot of requests for tonight's film, so get set for gags, gangsters, and ghostly doings as Abbott and Costello somehow inherit a mobster's remote tavern loaded with mystery and mayhem in "Hold That Ghost"!

Chuck and Ferdie (Bud and Lou) , as usual, want to move up in the world- this time,moving from jobs at a gas station to becoming waiters at a posh night spot frequented by politicians and the criminal element (sometimes it's hard to tell which is which!) One gang boss is conferring with an associate about his ill-gotten fortune- and makes a vague remark about where he has it! Meanwhile,  Chuck and Ferdie cause enough problems  that their only option for work is- to return to the gas station! While , coincidentally, providing service to the mob boss at the service station-  the boys end up as reluctant participants in a car chase that spells the end of the mobster's  career (and more!)- and, through weird circumstances- they also end up inheriting an old tavern that belonged to him

A rather suspicious former associate of the mob boss genially helps get the boys to the isolated  joint- along with additional passengers including a radio actress, a waitress, and a doctor- but, thanks to some double-dealing, they all end up stranded at the place for the night!

While the slimy associate searches for the supposed fortune- and  the boys and their new friends try to make the best of things, in spite of undrinkable  water and  odd happenings-things begin to take a more sinister turn- with dead bodies, possible supernatural events,  people  disappearing, and gangsters appearing- and Ferdie having the usual tough time trying to prove that he's seeing strange phenomenon! Will he and Chuck actually find the legendary mobster money- or will they be done in by...?

This 1941 comedy was supposed to be the team's next film after their huge hit "Buck Privates"- but we'll explain why it was delayed, as well as talking about the cast, which includes Evelyn Ankers, the very funny Joan Davis, and a few other familiar faces.We've added in some Sven shtick, but, due to the length of the movie, not only been judicious with our use of time- but also had to edit some of the movie. Just so you know, we removed the Andrews Sisters' first number, as well as a number by the nightclub's "headliner" Ted Lewis , which some might find in questionable taste in the modern world. Though we  prefer NOT to have to edit things from the movies- when we do, it is done with consideration for things essential to the plot. I don't think any other station or network goes to the pains we do, editing , at times, small bits  lasting 7 seconds here, fifteen seconds there, to maintain the film's integrity while making it fit the format and time. I will let you know, though, that we have retained the wonderful dance number with Lou and Joan, and the Andrews girls' final number!

You can get hold of "Hold That Ghost" tonight on MeTV at 10 pm eastern/pacific, 9 central, and please check your local listings for the time in your area. In Chicago this week, our normal WCIU second showing of last week's MeTV show (This time, it's "Monster on the Campus") had been switched to our sister station, the U Too, due to a football game being scheduled on WCIU.

I just wanted to mention that it was great fun to appear with Regis Philbin on "You and Me This Morning" yesterday! He's a definite TV legend and a great guy, and I'm honored they asked me to take part.

Don't forget that I'm kicking off my Sven Halloween season tour today in Hammond, IN, at the "Bizarre Bazaar" from noon to 2 pm! Details are available under the "appearances" tab on this site. Looking forward to seeing all the Sven fans there! ( More appearances are coming up, especially in October- of course!)

Get your ghost-grabbing gloves on tonight with MeTV- and be ready to hold on tight!