It was on this day in 1948 that the film Mexican Hayride, an adaptation of a 1944 Cole Porter Broadway Musical, was released. Mexican Hayride takes Abbott and Costello to Mexico City, where they get caught up in a silver mine scam. Of course, this produces the classic routine “Silver Ore”:
Here’s some interesting Mexican Hayride trivia: Lou’s brother, Pat Costello, plays detective Ted Williams. Because of the brothers’ similar appearance and physique, Pat often stepped in as Lou’s stunt double. Not only that, Lou would also often send his brother for his own costume/wardrobe fittings.
If you’ve seen Mexican Hayride, then you know that Lou breaks into a dance whenever he hears the Samba. This running gag was not part of the original script, but was added during production by Lou.