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Buck Privates

Name: Buck Privates
Genre: Comedy, Music, War
Released: 1941-01-31
Cast: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lee Bowman, Jane Frazee, Alan Curtis

1941 | 84 min | Comedy, Music, War

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who wants a laugh and history buffs. If you loved Dreamgirls, start here.
The mood: Light and funny, intense.
The pace: Breezy, at 1 hr 24 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1941: an older pace and style.

Petty con artists Slicker Smith and Herbie Brown mistakenly join the Army evading the cops. The cop chasing them winds up as their drill instructor. A rich young man and his former working class chauffeur are not only in the same unit, they're vying for a pretty girl who seems attracted to both.

How it earned its rating

CriticsSolid
Generally positive reviews
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 16K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Arthur Lubin

Bud AbbottSlicker Smith
Lou CostelloHerbie Brown
Lee BowmanRandolph Parker III
Jane FrazeeJudy Gray
Alan CurtisBob Martin
Nat PendletonSgt. Michael Collins
Laverne AndrewsLaverne Andrews
Maxene AndrewsMaxene Andrews
Patty AndrewsPatty Andrews
Samuel S. HindsMaj. Gen. Emerson