Who's On First?
Well it’s time for the Fall Classic, and this Houstonian has a rooting interest in the outcome. I know baseball, like so many aspects of American life, has gotten more complicated. The days when it was the national pastime, a link across the decades and generations, seems to have waned for many. Although I hope that the sheer beauty of the game’s essence can eventually secure for it a place of resilience and comfort in our nation’s future.
With all this in mind, I thought we could turn back the clock this Saturday with a comedy routine that you undoubtedly have heard of and maybe could even recite some lines. But have you seen it performed, and if so how recently? It is of course the famed “Who’s on First” by the genius comedic duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. It is not only the wordplay that makes the routine so memorable but the tone, expressions, and physical comedy.
This performance, a clip from the movie The Naughty Nineties, is considered perhaps the best one captured on film. It brought smiles to our faces, and we hope it does the same for you. Play ball.
I grew up and spent almost all of my adult life in Sullivan County NY and the Hall of Fame was only a two and a half hour drive away. My son and I went there several times and immediately after walking in the door, we went to see this sketch. It is absolutely brilliant and love seeing it.
I have seen or heard this routine by Abbott and Costello many times, including at the Baseball Hall of Fame, but I think this version is the best I’ve seen. Thank you Dan!