Arthur Lubin, a graduate of Carnegie Tech, embarked on a cinematic journey as an actor in the 1920s. Over time, he transitioned to directing in 1934, primarily for Universal Studios. Lubin's expertise lay in light comedy, but he also helmed a diverse range of films for the studio.
As the director entrusted with Universal's new comedy team, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Lubin did not disappoint. He directed many films featuring the duo, including Buck Privates (1941),Hold That Ghost (1941),and Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942),which are now considered some of their best works.
Lubin has shared that while filming an Abbott and Costello movie, he would focus a single camera solely on Lou Costello, who possessed boundless energy. Costello would improvise, create ad-libbed bits of business, and playfully misdirect actors, making it impossible to plan a shot beforehand. With a camera focused solely on Costello, whatever antics he engaged in could be edited in or out later.
Lubin's Abbott & Costello films played a significant role in saving Universal from financial ruin, and as a reward, he was tasked with directing the studio's remake of the silent classic, Phantom of the Opera (1943). The film was a massive success, remaining Lubin's highest-grossing and most critically acclaimed work to date.
In the 1950s, Lubin was put in charge of the "Francis the Talking Mule" series, which also achieved great success. This led Lubin to transition to television and develop another popular talking-animal series, the long-running Mister Ed (1961).
