Norman Abbott

Directing

Norman Abbott

Born July 11, 1922 · New York City, New York, USA

Died July 9, 2016 · aged 93

Norman Abbott (July 11, 1922 – July 9, 2016) was an American vaudevillian, actor, producer and television director. Abbott was born in New York City, where his uncle, comedian Bud Abbott, and his mother raised him. His early experience in entertainment was as a vaudeville performer, including summers working the 'borscht circuit" in resorts in the Catskill Mountains of New York. In the early 194…

Known For

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet FrankensteinBud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein · 1948
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein
★ 7.11948
MovieHorrorComedy
The Wolf Man tries to warn a dimwitted porter that Dracula wants his brain for Frankenstein monster's body.
Grand Central MurderGrand Central Murder · 1942
Grand Central Murder
★ 5.71942
MovieMysteryCrime
Conniving Broadway starlet Mida King has plenty of enemies, so when she's found murdered at Grand Central Station, Inspector Gunther calls together a slew of suspects for questioning. Mida's shady ex-flame, Turk, seems the most likely culprit, but when smart-mouthed private eye Rocky Custer -- also a suspect himself -- begins to piece together the crime, a few clues that Gunther has overlooked come to light.
Who Done It?Who Done It? · 1942
Who Done It?
★ 7.01942
MovieComedyMystery
Two dumb soda jerks dream of writing radio mysteries. When they try to pitch an idea at a radio station, they end up in the middle of a real murder when the station owner is killed during a broadcast.
Walking My Baby Back HomeWalking My Baby Back Home · 1953
Walking My Baby Back Home
★ 9.01953
MovieComedy
A young man from a wealthy New York family pursues a career as the leader of a dance band.
Rio RitaRio Rita · 1942
Rio Rita
★ 6.01942
MovieComedyMusic
Doc and Wishey run into some Nazi-agents, who want to smuggle bombs into the USA from a Mexican border hotel.
A Love Letter to Jack BennyA Love Letter to Jack Benny · 1981
A Love Letter to Jack Benny
1981
MovieDocumentary
Love Letter to Jack Benny" is a wonderfully warm-hearted tribute to the late comic genius. Hosted by three men who knew Jack well (including his best friend, George Burns), they introduce a raft of rare clips from his later programs in the 60's.
The Last of the Secret Agents?The Last of the Secret Agents? · 1966
The Last of the Secret Agents?
★ 4.21966
MovieAdventureComedy
Marty and Steve, American tourists in France, are given a multipurpose umbrella and pitted against an international band of art thieves. Among the stolen treasures is the Statue Of Liberty.
The Affairs of MarthaThe Affairs of Martha · 1942
The Affairs of Martha
★ 6.61942
MovieRomanceComedy
Members of a well-to-do small community become worried when it is revealed that one of their maids is writing a telling exposé.

Filmography

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The All-Star Christmas ShowThe All-Star Christmas Show · 1958
The All-Star Christmas Show
★ 6.01958
MovieTV MovieComedy
This 1958 Christmas spectacular was produced by the USO for the entertainment of troops stationed overseas. Over 50 top names from stage, screen and television appear in this truly all-star concert film - a magical evening of music, comedy and fun. Feeaturing Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, George Burns, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Danny Kaye, Dinah Shore, Shirley MacLaine, Jimmy Durante, Jimmy Stewart, Danny Thomas, Anna Maria Alberghetti, June Allyson, Ray Bolger, Red Buttons, Sid Caesar, Marge & Gower Champion, Cyd Charisse, Van Cliburn, Leo Durocher, Rhonda Fleming, Benny Goodman, Eydie Gormé, Betty Hutton, Frankie Lane, Tony Martin, David Niven, Kim Novak, Gregory Peck, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Jane Powell, Martha Raye, Jimmie Rogers, Jane Russell, Dick Shawn, Jo Stafford, Gale Storm and Miyoshi Umeki.

Director

Working StiffsWorking Stiffs · 1979
Working Stiffs
★ 5.31979
SeriesComedy
Working Stiffs is a short-lived 1979 American television series which starred James Belushi and Michael Keaton as brothers Ernie and Mike O'Rourke. The pair were janitors who aspired to work their way up in the field of business. The brothers worked in an office building owned by their Uncle Harry. Ernie and Mike also were roommates in an apartment over a cafe where they befriended the owner Mitch and waitress Nikki. Each episode featured slapstick and physical comedy. Penny Marshall directed the pilot. Includes an early appearance of Paul Reubens as Heimlich the delivery boy at the cafe. The series aired on CBS. It competed against the highly-rated shows NBC's CHiPs and ABC's The Ropers in its timeslot. Nine episodes were produced but after four episodes aired, the series was canceled. After Belushi and Keaton became major film stars in the 1980s, six episodes of the show were released on home video. Reruns have also aired on A&E Network, Comedy Central and TV Land. The syndication package included the previously unaired episodes.

Director