Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein

Starring Budd Abbott , Lou Costello, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Glen Strange

Directed by Charles Barton

In many ways, this film has been considered to be the Swan Song of the Universal Monster series, that is until the introduction of “The Creature From the Black Lagoon” in the 1950s. The Title “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” is a bit misleading in that Dracula and the Wolfman are also heavily present, including a very brief appearance by the Invisible Man. In some ways, it is a bit sad to see these famous Universal Monsters being reduced to almost straight men for Abbott and Costello to have fun with. Although a film like “Frankenstein” may seem tame by today’s standards, it was incredibly shocking to the audiences of its day. Less than a decade previous, folks were literally leaving theaters in a state of repulsion just by the thought of grave robbing and the like. And in viewing this film, it may seem surprising that in less than ten years, a creature such as Frankenstein’s creation would be seen in such a humorous light. Yes folks, the monsters lost their fangs. And yet, they didn’t lose their ability to frighten without any respect for the ground they had previously walked upon. When viewing this picture, it becomes plain that the film was made with an obvious love for these three creatures that had given so many folks before nightmares and a fear of the dark.

Quite simply, this film is just a lot of fun. While there are moments of horror with the Universal Monsters, it remains a light hearted affair without any real fear of the outcome. Of course, Abbott and Costello will come out safe and sound in the end. How could it end any differently? The Wolfman is ferocious in many ways, Dracula comes across as subtle and creepy as only Lugosi can make him, and Glen Strange still pulls off the childlike innocence of Frankenstein’s creation quite well. Strange is no Boris Karloff. Who could? But he does make the part his own and pulls it off quite well. As for Abbott and Costello, their comedy was beginning to lose a certain cruelty that it once possessed at the beginning of their film careers. Let’s face it, Abbott was incredibly harsh to Costello in their earlier pictures and yes it did make for some great humor, as sadistic as it may seem. But this picture still shines with their comic genius. I laughed quite a few times watching this film and assume that the audience of its day may have been rolling in the aisles. All in all, it is worth seeing, if not for the antics of Abbott and Costello, bit also for a meeting of three of the greatest Universal Monsters. If you are a true horror fan, how can you resist?

The Money Shot: Costello and the waiter trick of pulling a tablecloth while breaking the fourth wall. Brilliant!! Everyone I’ve ever this film to has gotten a great laugh out of that moment.