One Night In The Tropics marked Abbott and Costello’s film debut. Released in 1940, the comedy duo essentially play themselves, right down to their character’s names, Abbott and Costello.
Cast in only supporting roles, the comedy team stole the show performing several of their routines from radio and vaudeville (including Who’s On First?) .
Universal Studios subsequently quickly signed Abbott & Costello to a long-term contract. The following year, 1941, their second film Buck Privates, was released making them bonafide box office movie stars. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Here is a clip from One Night In The Tropics. You actually hear the duo’s voices before you see them, with Costello giving his famous high pitched line from his radio days - “I’m A Baaad Boy”.
Quick aside: Recognize the man playing “Boss”? That’s William Frawley, of course, who enjoyed a successful film career before being cast in the wildly popular TV sitcoms, I Love Lucy and My Three Sons.