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Visitors Review

bob the moo 2013-06-05 09:16:46

Pretty weak material delivered with little energy or wit

A series of misadventures sees orphan Orville get onto the base for thespace rocket launch and be mistaken for an imminent scientist. Lesteris having none of it and puts him to work but the two of them manage toget into the rocket and accidentally launch it. They assume they havegone to Mars and the vast array of weird creatures convince them of asmuch. Of course they are unaware that they have actually landed in NewOrleans and fit right in wearing their spacesuits. Coincidentally twoescaped criminals see what is happening and understand it better thanLester and Orville and decide to take advantage.It has been years since I last watched an Abbott & Costello film and Idecided recently to record some of the various movie channels and watchthem. Years ago my TV options used to be limited to 4 terrestrialchannels and as such my film watching was heavily influenced by thematinees that BBC2 used to put on during Saturday afternoons and theold films they used to show during school holidays – A&C being aregular part of those slots. With access to more (hell, I can even getDVD's posted to my flat) I rarely go back into the archives except foraccepted "classics", which one could not really put on many of the A&Cfilms. In hindsight, starting watching them again with this film wasmaybe not the best idea because it is a pretty weak affair.The basic plot allows for three or four scenarios, each of which areplayed out for longer than the basic gags can sustain. Of more concernthough is the lack of energy and wit that the film has, it feels tiredand basic throughout the whole film (which feels longer than it is).The material is lacking for sure but strong delivery can spice upthings in some cases. Shame then that the majority of the cast justseem bored. Abbott and Costello both do their usual shtick but do itlike men going through the motions. It perhaps isn't as bad as I makeit sound but it is not either of them at their best. The rest of thecast are obvious criminals or lovely, lovely ladies – that's it. Nobodyreally gives the guys a lot to play off apart from a nice scene with DrOrivia and Orville.Overall this is a basic film without much to recommend it for. Fanswill appreciate it the way they do but for the casual viewers it isbest left to kids rather than adults. The material is weak but it isthe lack of energy in the delivery that caused problems for me, makingit feel weaker as a total film. I will continue to watch some more ofthe A&C films but this is a bad place to start.

none 2013-06-05 00:21:46

Bud and Lou are in space!

When the boys mistakenly take off into outer space, It's comic chaos! They are headed for mars, but the biggest joke is that they never set foot on it! They go to other hilarious places! This time, the boys only count on small little gags to keep the show moving. It still remains a classic!

FilmWiz 2013-05-30 11:47:53

'Abbott and Costello Go To Mars', but land on Venus instead.

1953's Abbot and Costello Goes To Mars has a misleading title. They gotto Venus instead. Though the film had a relatively large budget, thefilm's plot is not saved and the special effects are average B-Movieeffects. The film was definitely one of A+C's wort of all time.The ending is at an all time worse, where the Venus women are attractedto Bud and Lou after they were defeated in a war against the females.What a plot, eh?While this is one of the worst A+C films ever, A+C are not to beblamed. They were going through a fanatical problem with thegovernment, which could have very well ruined their careers. The budgetis not to be blamed since it was rather high, and the sets were ratherlavish (especially for a B-movie!). What couldn't be saved, however,was the plot, which needed to be edited much further than it was. Itwas an interesting concept, but it was done without heart. A+C'stalents were wasted. MPAA Rating: NRMy Rating: 5 and upMy * Rating 5.2/10

sebaveron2001 2013-05-29 21:35:15

quite a good comedy.

***SPOILERS***This film is surpisingly underrated, seeing as a lot o h jokes arehilarious, especially the ones in the bank. The thing that let the filmdown however, is that the scenes on planet Venus were stupid and unrealisticand Miss. "New Jersey", was really, really, really, rubbish in it. Bud andLou are funny though (especially Lou), as the two bumbling, though wellmeaning civil servants, who go to L.A., and think it's mars (cue funnygags), then they land on Venus and think it is L.A. (cue unfunny gags),silly but excitin, and supeb SFX, considering it ws the 50's, the two bankrobbers are quite funny too, but, the custard pie gag at the end lowers thefilm, because it s a stupid ending.Classy at parts, Z-rate acting at parts, always fun though.**1/2 out of ****

2013-05-25 20:27:31

"They're Too Wild for One World!"

Many years ago, I saw a fairly amusing Castle Films abridgement of "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars" (1953). Only recently did I sit through the entire movie. Needless to say, the nine-minute Castle version remains far superior. Bud and Lou actually land on Venus, but the tired feature goes nowhere at a snail's pace. Perhaps the team's worst film.

gridoon 2013-05-25 12:13:02

Not the worst A & C film

This film has been referred to numerous times as "the worst of Abbottand Costello". I haven't seen that many A & C pictures so far, but fromthose that I HAVE seen I'd say "Comin' Round the Mountain" and "Lost inAlaska" and maybe even "Meet the Keystone Kops" are worse than thisone, therefore the above statement cannot be true. The best thing about"Go to Mars" are the special effects, which are creative and at timeseven ingenious; before you complain about them from a "modern"perspective, consider that they are about on the same level with thoseof, say, "Superman IV" - and that was made 34 years later!Unfortunately, much like "Meet the Keystone Kops", this film gives youthe impression that more time was spent on the technical tricks andeffects than on providing enough funny material and routines for Abbottand Costello. The funniest exchange in the movie comes early on: Dr.Orvilla: "Why did you tell them that you are Dr. Orvilla?" Lou: "Ididn't tell them, THEY told ME!". And although the absence of songs iswelcome, the two escaped convicts who eventually join A & C in theirtrip to Venus get too much screen time on their own. (**)

Bruce Cook 2013-05-19 20:58:42

Bud, Lou, rockets, and girls!!!

Bud and Lou play maintenance men who accidentally blast off in anexperimental rocket. Despite the movie's title, they don't actually go toMars, they go to Venus -- and only during the last twenty-five minutes ofthe film. Before they get there they waste thirty minutes of the story bylanding in New Orleans -- which they think is Mars because of all the weirdMardi Gras costumes (a painfully unfunny gag).Two escaped criminals stowaway aboard the ship and try to hi-jack the rocketafter a second accidental lift-off, but the boys outwit them and the finallylands on Venus.Admittedly Venus is worth the wait; all the Venusians are gorgeouscontestants from the Miss Universe Pageant, and their queen is MariaBlanchard (`She Devil'). The men were defeated long ago in a war with thefemales, but some of the girls miss them so badly that even Bud and Lou lookgo to them. Queen Maria wants Bud to be her king!Anita Ekberg (Miss Sweden) is one of the gals, but you'll have to look quickto spot her. Sets, props, and special effects are excellent. Watch forseveral props which were also used in other Universal sci-fi films (thedeath ray device in `It Came from Outer Space' and the bullet car from `ThisIsland Earth'). Not the funniest A & C comedy, but decidedly enjoyable for1950s sci-fi fans. The prerecorded tape looks good.

2013-05-19 07:29:32

Not the best but good

This was a nice movie.Abbott and Costello do not even go to mars.They go to Venus.There are some very funny scenes such as the electric chair.

rooney24 2013-05-13 07:03:53

True to Abbott and Costello form, this is funny

If you like Abbott and Costello, you will like this movie. It is true toform and is funny in the style of that era. It has some slapstick, but notso much so as to be overbearing. When you look back now, the specialeffects seem quite lame, but that is part of the appeal to me, in the factthat those were what effects looked like in that day.

lemon993 2013-05-13 02:34:23

It's about time!

Along with the Bowery Boys, the Three Stooges and perhaps Elvis, no one wasas good at churning out motion pictures quickly and on a tight budget thanAbbot and Costello. Even present day comedians such as Carol Burnett andJerry Seinfeld have heaped praise on the boys' slapstick brand of comedy.I've always felt they were greatly underappreciated in their day. And as theyears pass by, their presence on the tube has, sadly, decreased. Most kidstoday probably have never been exposed to the thin straight man and his rotund buddy.I own only one A&C comedy. And this is it. Why? Maybe its because of"Allura", the queen, played by the beautiful B-movie siren Mari Blanchard.Discarding the "spell" theory one must assume the special effects aresuperb. And the fantasy elements are enjoyable and surprisingly well thoughtout and executed. The rocket ship nearly decapitates the Statue of Liberty,fails to pay the toll at the Lincoln Tunnel and scoots underneath theBrooklyn Bridge. But the movie is simply a ride through a different era: atime of comedy, scientists and space babes. Well, everyone should beafforded one guilty pleasure.

Movie Nuttball 2013-05-12 11:44:40

Abbott and Costello Go to Mars!

This Abbott and Costello movie is good. The duo is always good! MariBlanchard was good. The movie is funny and has some good moments! Thespaceship effects were really cool! Good music! Look for StanleyBlystone,Jean Willes, and Dudley Dickerson who were in many Three Stooges shorts!Ifyou like Abbott and Costello see Abbott and Costello go toMars!

Russell Dodd 2013-05-11 15:06:23

Not so good...

I am a huge Abbott and Costello fan but I found this to be their worst.Theonly funny scenes are done by their stuntmen.A boring script. The boys were capable of so much more than this. Thebudget lets the film down too. Joe Kirk(Lou's brother-in-law) does bestasDr Orvilla. The girls are beautiful but bland. I'd say go and watch'Holdthat ghost' instead.

Humphrey Fish 2013-05-03 01:29:39

This isn't A&C's worst movie that they ever made!

This is by far a very underrated A&C movie, I think the reason that itdid not do that well when it came out was because of the year, 1953,which was a time where Abbott and Costello were losing their ground toDean Martin and Jerry Lewis.What was really great about this movie is the special effects, becauseconsidering that it was 1953, the special effects were decent, and sixyears later in 1959, Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space was released!And A&C Go to Mars' special effects were 100 times better than the onesin Plan 9! Also, one of my favorite scenes from this movie whereCostello accidentally made himself King of Venus! Because in myopinion, Lou Costello does not look like a guy who could inspireconfidence!

2013-05-02 18:17:41

Abbot and Costello Go to Mars

Abbott and Costello don't really go to Mars; instead, they go to Venus, with a quick stop to New Orleans. While working at a missile base, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello inadvertently launch a rocket ship with themselves aboard. After a wild ride around New York City (the Statue of Liberty ducks when the rocket heads her way), Bud and Lou land in the outskirts of New Orleans. The boys are convinced that they've reached Mars, and their faith in this is affirmed when they come across several strangely costumed "creatures" (actually people dressed up in Mardi Gras costumes). Meanwhile, bank robbers stow away on Abbott and Costello's rocketship. When Bud and Lou return, the crooks force them to make a quick getaway into outer space. After several days of weightlessness, the four space travelers land on Venus, a planet populated by gorgeous woman. The Venusian's queen (Mari Blanchard) falls in love with Costello, only to order him and his companions to return to earth when Lou proves to be unfaithful. Long considered the team's worst film, Abbott and Costello Go to Mars is rather likeable in its own way. The slapstick humor is a little dated at times, but it will still tickle your funny bone. A decent flick to watch on a Saturday afternoon.

planktonrules 2013-04-25 04:12:55

a lousy film that seems to be written for kids--adults will find it tough to sit through.

This is, perhaps, one of the worst and most unfunny Abbott and Costellofilms. Not only does the team look old and bored, but overall there ishardly any energy about the film. And, unlike films such as Abbott andCostello Meet Frankenstein, this movie would ONLY appeal to youngerkids. Any sane adult would be annoyed by the amateurish quality of thisfilm. It's pretty sad that the funniest(?) part of the film is everyonemistaking Costello ("Orville") with Dr. Orvilla--wow, that's funny.Our haggard team actually never even makes it to Mars but lands on anAmazon-infested Venus. Apparently, these women must have been VERYhorny and lonely to have found either of these two irresistible. I'mfeeling really tired and bored just thinking about it.I think this film has a respectable score on IMDb mostly because thereare a lot of Abbott and Costello fans. While some of there films arepretty good, perhaps their love of the team may be coloring theirratings somewhat. A case in point is that this movie is not thatdifferent than CAT-WOMEN OF THE MOON and yet its overall IMDb score ishalf this film. Abbott and Costello have definitely done better.

SanDiego 2013-04-24 11:27:08

50's space-age theme.

Fans of rocket-age science fiction films will find interest in this wackyspoof. The early 1950's saw the start of the atomic age rocket ship filmgenre with ROCKET X-M and DESTINATION MOON in 1950 and WHEN WORLDS COLLIDEand FLIGHT TO MARS in 1951. These movies were all hits and the trend lastedthrough the sixties with MAROONED and JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN in1969 (one year after 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY). In 1953 Abbott and Costello quickly updated their old vaudeville routines tocapture a younger, modern audience and try their hand at this phenomena. They had success spoofing the horror genre with A&C MEETS FRANKENSTEIN andA&C MEETS THE INVISIBLE MAN a couple years earlier and the young audienceswho had watched Universal's monster films were now watching rocket films andwould soon be watching alien monsters devour entire cities. Though flightsto Mars were now a typical plot device, A&C GO TO MARS was ahead of the gameby going to Venus six years before FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS (1959)! Abbott and Costello start off toward Mars but end up back on Earth duringNew Orleans Mardi Gras. They are fooled by fanciful costumes with giantmasks and believe they are on Mars. Eventually they flee to Venus populatedby beautiful women and all's well that ends well.The production values were very good, considering that studios were rushingout poorly produced imitations of ROCKET X-M and DESTINATION MOON aftertheir success. After the quick patter routines of the duo that servicedthem well in the forties had become so familiar to the audience it wasrefreshing to have them do something else. Though certainly not a classicand not on the list of best A & C films, for those tiring of the sameroutines this film is visually exciting filled with space-age fun, beautifulmodels and hilarious gags. Kids love the film and older adults love the50's space-age theme. Grab the popcorn.

Noel Bailey 2013-04-18 05:14:16

They never DID get to Mars!

Your appreciation or otherwise of this little flick might depend on yourlevel of whimsy and whether or not you were actually AROUND in the 50's andcan recall the fervor of anticipated space travel and the films of thosedays. DESTINATION MOON, THIS ISLAND EARTH, TOBOR THE GREAT, WHEN WORLDSCOLLIDE - there were so many! To see it now and compare it ..probablyunfairly, with A & C's work of the late 40's, it indeed falls short of thestandards they set for themselves. However as many have correctly commented,the younger viewer still finds it funny and gets something out ofit.The film was NOT made on the cheap and indeed many of the sets hold uprather well today. The title remains a misnomer in that Bud and Lou onlyTHINK their comandeered rocket has landed on Mars. As it turns out, it is infact just a mardi gras in southern Louisiana. This sequence was thehighlight of the movie. By the time they wing their bumbling way to Venus,there is only 27 minutes of the film left.Probably fair to say that ABBOTT AND COSTELLO GO TO MARS was made during thedownside of their career and the "Space setting" was intended to net them anew generation of fans. In that regard it probably was not the success theywould have hoped for. Still....ANY opportunity to see Anita Ekberg, even fora glimpse, was always worth the price of admission.Probably not held up as classic A & C but still it is part of their legacyand should be viewed with some affection.

2013-04-17 13:49:16

The Outer Limits of Comedy

Orville is pretending to fly a model airplane to entertain some orphans. Something goes wrong and Orville hides in a truck. But there is a mistake in identification. The space ship has been completed, it remains to be tested. Supplies are loaded by Lester and Orville. The boys accidentally start the rocket and take-off. The scenes of the rocket flight are amusing. It flies through the Lincoln Tunnel but does not pay a toll! The rocket lands near New Orleans. When they go exploring two escaped convicts find the rocket ship. The space suits are mistaken for Mardi Gras outfits. [The speech tells something about popular culture.] The two convicts don space suits to rob a bank. Who will be blamed? The militia and citizens are searching the city.The escaped convicts are on the rocket ship, and it flies off again. This time to Venus, according to the slide rule. Orville discovers the inhabitants of Venus in the palace. [Who keeps it clean?] The story becomes a farce. Orville becomes king, then is deposed. They will be sent back to earth. After they land there is a ticker tape parade, with one last joke.

2013-04-16 07:14:01

ONE OF THE TEAM'S BEST FILMS

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO GO TO MARS Universal-International Pictures Release Date: January 1, 1953. Runtime: 77 minutes Director: Charles Lamont Producer: Howard Christie Writing Credits: D.D. Beauchamp Howard Christie John Grant Cast:Bud Abbott....LesterLou Costello....OrvilleRobert Paige....Dr. WilsonMari Blanchard....AlluraMartha Hyer....JanieHorace McMahon....MugsyJack Kruschen....HarryJean Willes....Captain OliviaJoe Kirk....Dr. OrvillaAnita Ekberg....Venusain GuardJames Flavin....First Policeman in BankJackie Loughery....Venusian Guard (Miss U.S.A.) Music by: Herman Stein Henry Mancini Milton Rosen Cinematography by: Clifford Stine Film Editing by: Russell F. Schoengarth Set Decoration: Russell A. Gausman Julia Heron Costume Design by: Leah Rhodes Assistant Director: William Holland Sound Department: Leslie I. Carey Robert Pritchard Special Effects: David S. Horsely Other Crew: Joseph Gershenson....musical director Plot Summary:While working at a missile base, Lester and Orville inadvertently launch a rocketship with themselves aboard. After a wild ride around New York City (the Statue of Liberty ducks when the rocket heads her way), Lester and Orville land in the outskirts of New Orleans. The boys are convinced that they've reached Mars, and their faith in this suppostion is affirmed when they come across several strangely costumed "creatures" (actually revellers at the Mardi Gras). Meanwhile, bank robbers Mugsy and Harry stow away on Lester and Orville's rocketship. When Lester and Orville return, the crooks force them to make a quick getaway into outer space. After several days of weightlessness, the four space travellers land on Venus, a planet populated by the gorgeous winners of the Miss Universe contest (including Anita Ekberg). Venusian queen Allura falls in love with Orville, only to order him and his companions to return to Earth when Orville prove to be unfaithful. ROUTINES & HILARIOUS MOMENTS: Orville impersonates Dr. Orvilla Thrown around in a flying rocket Seeing Martians at Mardi Gras Limberger Cheese bit Truth Balloons Trivia (from imdb.com): A very young Harry Shearer appears as one of the boys seen near the beginning. Goofs (from imdb.com): Continuity (1): They actually go to Venus. Continuity (2): When Orville and Dr. Orvilla are having a slapping fight, Dr. Wilson walks in and stops them. Dr. Orvilla is holding a briefcase, but in the next shot Orville is holding the briefcase.

JohnRouseMerriottChard 2013-04-15 23:59:12

Better than its reputation suggests.

Abbott and Costello Go To Mars sees the popular duo tackle a sci-fitheme that was to be so prevalent in the 50s. It's directed by CharlesLamont and the co-star line up features Robert Paige, Horace McMahon,Mari Blanchard, Martha Hyer & Jack Kruschen. The plot sees Bud & Lou asLester and Orville respectively, who accidentally find themselves on arocket-ship bound for Mars. However, they actually land in New Orleansduring the Mardi Gras and confusion reigns. Then an encounter with acouple of escaped convicts leads to another blast off, to Venus. Aplanet populated by a bevy of beauties.They were three years away from making what would be their last filmtogether, but history dictates that the best of the film outings forBud & Lou were long since past. However, "Go To Mars" and "Meet Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (also 1953) are worthy pieces showcasing the comictalent and irrepressible charm of two fine entertainers. Sure the plotis as thin as some of the sets are for "Go To Mars," but there's enoughchaos and comedy schtick to keep the smile on ones face. We getCostello doing an Italian accent-badly, which in turn leads to aslapathon. Then there's stunts with magnetic moon-boots, a triple bedfall down, gravitational larks and Mardi Gras strangeness. There's evena cheeky aside in favour of the ladies {the Venusian female race beingcontestants of Miss Universe) as the new male arrivals on Venus arecompared to beefcake Adonis types on Venusian TV.Far from their best work but certainly enough good here to shoot downthose "worst of the series" tags. 6/10