ABBOTT & COSTELLO (LOU COSTELLO) - APPLICATION SIGNED 10/02/1946 - HFSID 350340

LOU COSTELLO
Costello signs an application for membership in the Friars Club.
Partly Printed DS: "Lou Costello". 1p, 8½ x 11. Hollywood, 1946 October 2. "Proposal for Membership" to The Friars Club of California. Begins: "Friar George Jessel and Friar Bing Crosby hereby propose for Membership in The Friars Club of California Mr. Lou Costello...." Typed in are Costello's name, birthplace (Paterson, NJ), occupation, (Actor-Producer) with (Universal-International Studio). "He is acquainted with the following members of the club: Mr. A. Lichtman, George Raft, Irving Mills and Mickey Rooney". Note at top right in unidentified hand: "Resigned/3-17-52." In 1931, 25-year-old LOU COSTELLO teamed up with 36-year-old Bud Abbott to form one of the most successful comedy teams in show business history. Headliners on the vaudeville and burlesque circuit, they broke into radio in 1938 and starred in a Broadway revue in 1939. They went to Hollywood in 1940, and their film, Buck Privates, grossed $10 million. In the 1940s, Abbott & Costello were included in every list of top-ten box office grossers. Their "Who's on First" routine is enshrined on a plaque in Baseball's Hall of Fame. After more than 30 films and a television series, the two broke up in 1957. Costello died of a heart attack two years later at the age of 53. Staple holes at upper left corner, usual folds, none affect signature. Signature is light but completely legible.  Verso of document is viewable from back of frame. Framed to an overall size of 31¼ x 21¼.