It was on this day, 64 years ago, that the Abbott and Costello film, Little Giant, was released. Originally titled, On the Carpet, Little Giant was filmed from November 1 through December 17, 1945. Regardless, it’s questionable whether any other title would have helped this particular Abbott and Costello movie.
Indeed, Little Giant is not considered one of the comedy team’s best films, perhaps owing to the fact that this was the first time the team attempted to work separately within the same film. In this film, as well as the next Abbott and Costello film, The Time of Their Lives, the team play separate roles as opposed to partners. This is due to a falling out between the two men that actually led them to splitting up the team for a short period in 1945.
In this film, Abbott and Costello perform the 7×13=28 routine, where Costello attempts to prove to Abbott that 7 times 13 equals 28, 28 divided by 7 equals 13, and seven 13′s added together equals 28. Here is a video clip of that routine:
I still crack up at the lines:
Bud: Did you ever go to school stupid?
Lou: Yes, sir. And I come out the same way.