Washington to the rescue -- again
Family movie provides a whimsical version of American history.
George Washington helped save the colonists' independence, but did you know that he also once saved Abbott and Costello?
It's true -- at least in the 1946 comedy, The Time of Their Lives, which will be shown 2 p.m. Saturday at David Library of the American Revolution, in Washington Crossing.
"The Time of Their Lives is more hysterical than historical," said Meg McSweeney, chief operating officer of the library. "But it's good to have a little fun with history sometimes.
"Although it is a light comedy, the movie is set during the Revolutionary War, and it references the Benedict Arnold plot, and a letter from George Washington saves the day in the end." McSweeney said in a statement. "Since the David Library possesses one of the largest privately held collections of George Washington letters in the world, that plot device resonates with us."
In the 83-minute movie, comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play Revolutionary War patriots mistakenly branded as traitors. As ghosts, they return to 20th century New England to retrieve a letter from Washington that will prove their innocence.
Admission for the movie will be free in the library's Stone Hall on River Road, across from the Washington Crossing Historic Park. For more information, call 215-493-2233 or go to ww.dlar.org.