By Frank Worth

Abbott and Costello joking with Hedda Hoppa.

Abbott and Costello, William (Bud) Abbott(1895-1974) and Lou Costello (born Louis Francis Cristillo 1906-1959) were an American comedy duo whose work in radio, film and television made them one of the most popular teams in the history of comedy.

The two comedians first worked together in 1935 at the Eltinge burlesque theatre in New York and made their partnership formal in 1936 with Abbott as the devious straight man and Costello as the stumbling, comprehension-challenged laugh-getter. One of their most popular and influential routines was ‘Who's on First?’ - a rapid-fire word play and comprehension confusion.

They made over 30 films between 1940 and 1956 including One Night in the Tropics, Buck Privates, Hold That Ghost, Who Done It?, Pardon My Sarong, The Time of Their Lives, Buck Privates Come Home, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man.

Born Elda Furry, Hedda Hopper (1885-1966) was an American actress and gossip columnist.

She began acting in silent movies in1915. Her motion picture debut was in Battle of Hearts (1916). She appeared in more than 120 movies over the following twenty-three years, usually portraying distinguished-looking society women.

However she found her true niche in gossip, writing for a Los Angeles newspaper. Known for her movie interviews and gossipy comments she then moved to radio, and later TV, with her own programmes, The Hedda Hopper Show, This is Hollywood and Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood.

She was noted for her large flamboyant hats and was known for hobnobbing with the biggest names in the industry, for getting a ‘scoop’ and for being vicious in dealing with those who displeased her.

Hedda Hopper has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6313 1/2 Hollywood Boulevarde in Hollywood.