Double Acts

Dame Barbara Windsor tells the tragicomic story of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, America's most popular double act during the 1930s, 40s and early 50s.

It was the quick-fire verbal dexterity of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello that propelled them to the pinnacle of show business, across radio, TV, stage and screen. Bud was born into show business whilst Lou had dreams of Hollywood, and when they met on the burlesque circuit in 1934 they knew that they were right for each other. A partnership was forged that would last for 25 years.

When burlesque was banished by New York City in 1937 Bud and Lou moved over to vaudeville, which led to weekly appearances on The Kate Smith Hour, a hugely popular radio show. The next stop was the Broadway show Streets Of Paris, where Abbott and Costello were spotted by Hollywood talent scouts and they signed to Universal for just one picture, One Night In The Tropics. Bud and Lou stole the movie with their comedy routines and the on-screen hits continued.

By 1942, Bud and Lou ranked as the no. 1 box office attraction in America. In October of that year, The Abbott And Costello Radio Show was launched - featuring some of the biggest names in show business as their special guest stars - and the arrival of the new medium of television brought them even greater success. From the height of their careers to the ending of their partnership in 1957, Barbara Windsor tells the fascinating story of a pair who won the hearts of audiences everywhere - from burlesque, vaudeville, Broadway and nightclubs to Hollywood, radio and TV.

Dame Barbara Windsor says: "I remember watching Abbott and Costello in my teens and I absolutely loved them. I'm happy to pay tribute to them as two of America's leading funnymen."