“Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948) / Z-View
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Director: Charles Barton (Walter Lantz directed the animation sequences)
Screenplay: Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, John Grant
Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Jane Randolph, Frank Ferguson and Bobby Barber
Tagline: Jeepers! The creepers are after Bud and Lou!
The Plot…
Chick Young (Abbott) and Wilbur Gray (Costello) work at a shipping company. They receive a call from Larry Talbot (Chaney). Crates scheduled for delivery to McDougal’s House of Horrors contain the real Dracula and Frankenstein monsters! Unfortunately before Talbot gets them the message, he transforms into a werewolf. Chick and Wilbur deliver the crates.
When Talbot shows up, he convinces Chick and Wilbur that Dracula and the Frankenstein monster are real! Meanwhile, Dracula plans to place Wilbur’s brain in the monster. Soon we have Abbott & Costello, Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolfman in a battle royal with the winners being the audience.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a perfect example of how horror and comedy can work together seamlessly. We get Abbott and Costello’s verbal comedy and sight gags. Costello dealing with a lady who wants her bag from a cart full of luggage is classic. The Boys’ interactions with the monsters at the castle is priceless. Having Lugosi recreate his signature role is a plus (and only the second time that Bela Lugosi played Dracula in movies). Watch, I mean listen for a Vincent Price cameo at the end! Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is my all-time favorite Abbott and Costello movie and one that I can re-watch anytime.
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein earns 5 of 5 stars.
