Unlike Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Africa Screams (1949), or one of my personal favorites Buck Privates (1941), 1952's Jack and the Beanstalk is not one of the better Abbott and Costello movies. Sure, there are a few good jokes and fun bits, but they're few and far between.
The film is bookended by opening and closing sepia tone scenes, with the majority of the film being in color similar to The Wizard of Oz. In the movie, Jack (played by Costello) takes a job babysitting, but falls asleep while one of the kids he's babysitting reads the classic fairy tale. From there the bulk of the film is pretty much what you'd expect; a comedic retelling of 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. While there are entertaining moments, the film overall feels uninspired. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello became a legendary comedy team because of how funny they were working off of each other, but in this movie Abbott's role feels unnecessary and there are very few fun interactions between the two. Additionally, there are a couple of musical numbers thrown in, but most of them aren't great and don't enhance the film much.
Overall, it's a harmless hour and fifteen minute watch if you're curious but, I don't recommend the movie unless you're a huge Abbott and Costello fan.
1.5 out of 5.
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