One Night in the Tropics
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One Night in the Tropics is a 1940 musical film notable as the film debut of Abbott and Costello. They are listed as supporting actors but have major exposure with five of their classic routines, including an abbreviated version of "Who's on First?" Their work earned them a two-picture deal with Universal, and their next film, Buck Privates, made them bona fide stars. Songs in the film were written by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Dorothy Fields.
The film is based on a 1914 novel, Love Insurance by Earl Derr Biggers, the creator of Charlie Chan. It was filmed as a silent movie in 1919 as Love Insurance by Paramount Pictures with Bryant Washburn and Lois Wilson, and in 1925 by Universal as The Reckless Age. The film's copyright was renewed in 1967.
Jim "Lucky" Moore, an insurance salesman, conceives an innovative "love insurance" policy for his friend, Steve Harper, that will pay Steve $1 million if his wedding to Cynthia Merrick fails to come off.
The policy is underwritten by a tough nightclub impresario, Roscoe, who dispatches agents Abbott and Costello to ensure that the wedding goes off as planned in San Marcos in the Caribbean.
However, the nuptials are threatened by Steve's tenacious former girlfriend, Mickey Fitzgerald, and Cynthia's disapproving Aunt Kitty-and a growing attraction between Jim and Cynthia.
Steve and Cynthia's wedding doesn't come off, but the policy is voided and Roscoe avoids the $1 million payout because Steve does get married—to Mickey.
One Night in the Tropics was filmed from August 26 through September 30, 1940 under the working titles Riviera, Caribbean Nights, Caribbean Holiday, and Moonlight in the Tropics. With music by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields, it was originally planned for production in 1936 with a different cast but temporarily shelved due to financial troubles at Universal. It was hoped that the film would ease Universal's financial plight. It did little to help, but the film introduced the country to Abbott and Costello, leading to a string of popular films with the team that saved Universal from bankruptcy.
Just prior to the beginning of production, on August 21, 1940, Jones and Cummings were guests on Abbott and Costello's radio show and promoted the film.
Cast.
Allan Jones as Jim "Lucky" Moore
Nancy Kelly as Cynthia Merrick
Bud Abbott as Abbott
Lou Costello as Costello
Robert Cummings as Steve Harper
Mary Boland as Aunt Kitty Marblehead
William Frawley as Roscoe
Peggy Moran as Mickey Fitzgerald
Leo Carrillo as Escobar
Don Alvarado as Rodolfo
Nina Orla as Nina
Edgar Dearing as Cop with Black Eye (uncredited)
Larry Steers as Desk Clerk (uncredited)
