When MGM lost a contract deal to sign Abbott and Costello in 1941, Universal Studios in a conciliatory gesture loaned them out to their movie rival. Universal was willing to put the comedy team in as leads rather than support roles and the boys apparently had a talented agent to wrest them away from the larger studio. MGM was so aggrieved that they almost filed a lawsuit but apparently cooler heads prevailed, with "Rio Rita" the first of three pictures MGM put the boys in.For fans of Abbott and Costello who have seen plenty of their films, one of the first things you notice here are the absence of their many recycled film bits like 'Slowly I Turned' and 'Who's on First?'. The MGM writing staff did a decent job of coming up with their own funny dialog for the pair like the 'Pike's Peak' gag. Production values run a notch above Universal as well, obviously MGM had a lot more money to spend on extras as evidenced by the rather lavishly costumed Volusia dance number. It would have looked a lot better in color though.The setting is the Hotel Vista del Rio in Del Rio, Texas, which wouldn't mean much to most viewers, but that was also the home town of Imus in the Morning's fictional radio character, the Reverend Billy Sol Hargus. Imus hasn't used that bit for many years now, but once you've heard it you remember it.As for the story, things get muddled rather quickly after the main plot element is revealed. Radio station KPKO is a front for a Nazi fifth column enterprise attempting to smuggle bombs into the country. There's some business about a secret code book and planting information in the radio's broadcast commercials, but not a lot comes of it all. Even the presence of a 'talking' German Shepherd held some potential for Nazi intrigue, but instead the talented canine did an amusing roll-over gag with Costello.In fact, one could almost make a case for the picture being a musical, but with widely disparate genres in play. There's an early riders on horseback segment doing a Texas Rangers song, while John Carroll and Kathryn Grayson offer up a few tunes as well, with Grayson showing amazing voice control in an operatic number that in all other respects was virtually unlistenable. Things eventually come together to expose the Nazi bad guys in the end, but once it's over, one begins to wonder what the picture was all about.

I'm watching several of the Abbott & Costello films that TCM is running, and I began to wonder why I had only watched the collection I already had only once. And watching this film, I finally got it. Abbott & Costello cannot compare to Martin & Lewis, and here's why. It's not the fault of Lou Costello. The man is hilarious, and much more able to combine that hilarity with pathos than Jerry Lewis. The problem is/was Bud Abbott. The main had a very limited talent -- he could feed lines to Lou Costello, he could slap Lou Costello around, he could yell at Lou Costello. But Dean could sing and be the romantic lead. So, you could put Martin & Lewis together in a movie and have a complete film. But with Abbott and Costello, Lou could provide all the comedy, but Abbott could not sing or be romantic or dance or do anything to carry part of the film. And that is very clear in this film.Don't get me wrong. This is an entertaining film, And the focus is Abbott and Costello. But, most A&C films have to bring in some romance, so here they bring in John Carroll and Kathryn Grayson. In most A&C films they have to bring in some music, so again, here they turn to John Carroll and Kathryn Grayson. As a result, as with most other A&C films, "Rio Rita" becomes a musical-comedy-variety film...and who does that better than MGM with its high production values? But as a result, some focus is thereby shifted away from Abbott & Costello. But, A&C are very funny here, both in terms of Lou's slapstick, and the team's witty dialog.Due to World War II, the plot of the old musical (by the way, almost every song from the original Ziegfeld production has been eliminated) has been modified to bring in a Nazi spy plot to trigger the action; but it works.As Abbott & Costello films go, this is pretty good, and well worth a watch.

For me, this film is a weaker attempt compared to the films Abbott and Costello were making at Universal. This fact is actually shocking, because MGM was one of the biggest and most important studios around at that time, and comedy wasn't new for them. The opening scenes in the pet shop are hilarious, and the film has its share of funny jokes, such as the car repair shop, and the washing machine scenes. However, I think the scene where the donkey(having swallowed a Nazi radio) sticks its head in the window, and speaks in Hitler's voice, is my favorite in the film. I always crack up laughing at that moment, and Lou's comment, "I've heard your voice, but this is the first time I've ever seen your face."

Abbott and Costello stranded in a petshop (this part was filmed after the film was completed as Kathryn Grayson's opening number was considered racist and was cut!!) and lose their jobs. They are stranded in a town. Oddly enough, they decide to go their separate ways!! I didn't like this idea. Bud and Lou are supposed to be partners (well for most of their films).They sneak into the boot (trunk) of famous crooner Ricardo Montera, as they wrongly assume he is going to NY. He is on his way to Vista Del Rio, A radio station in Texas to sing on a live broadcast. Rita, is a big star on the station and has eyes only for Montera, who they had a brief encounter with 10 years previously. He arrives next morning, with the boys still in the back of the car and immediately gets on his horse and rides off to the plains. He grew up with the rangers. Ricardo, not remembering Rita, meets up with her and comes on fresh to her (After a boring song). After, she reminds him who she is, the rangers then appear and they sing the only good song in the movie. Bud and Lou(after an absolutely hilarious - and I mean HILARIOUS!!) routine with the car, find themselves wondering around starving. After stealing fake apples used by the nazi owners (they are really radios), they are more hungry than ever. A waiter lays a table right where they are lying and they eat the food. After the waiters chase them away, Rita tells Lucette, also after Ricardo, that she sent them the food. She then employs the boys as house detectives. The boys have to get Lucette away from Ricardo and the manager has to get a broadcast out that night to fellow nazis in code. This is a hilarious, top Abbott and Costello comedy. There is a good background story and plenty left over for the boys to do many routines and wordplay. If only they made more films of this standard. They did make better films though. The only downside is the many songs. Kathryn Grayson performs a never ending opera number which slows down the pace. The rest of the songs, after 10 years of watching this movie (and STILL laughing) I can sit through.Look out for the best bit: Lou trapped inside a giant washing machine!! Abbott and Costello fans will certainly not be disapointed with this movie.There was something so special about the films they made in the early 40s that I just can't define! Wonderful!