It was on this day, 69 years ago in 1942, that Abbott and Costello’s Who Done It? was released. Although relatively early in the comedy duo’s film career, they were the #1 box office attraction of 1942. They were even more popular than Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.
Who Done It? is the eighth film Abbott and Costello made together and remains a fan favorite. The classic routine “Watts & Volts,” much of which was improvised during filming, continues to crack up fans to this day.
Here’s some Who Done It? trivia you might find interesting: The microphone that Abbott and Costello used for their 1938 radio debut on the Kate Smith Show was used for the “Wheel of Fortune” segment in the film. (Was the late Merv Griffin an Abbott and Costello fan? 
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Soon after filming for Who Done It? wrapped, Abbott and Costello went on a 34 day tour and sold $85 million in War Bonds. Today this would be equal to about $1.1 billion and remains a stark reminder of the times in which the comedy team was able to make millions laugh during one of the country’s most trying times.
Here’s the “Volts & Watts” routine from Who Done It?