The Video Vacuum (thevideovacuum) wrote,
The Video Vacuum
thevideovacuum

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948) ****

It’s amazing how well this horror comedy stands the test of time, even more than fifty years after it’s original release.  It’s the best Abbott and Costello movie ever and the best horror comedy of all time.  It still manages to be funny, scary, and surprising even after repeated viewings.  The special effects are among the best of the old Universal monster movies. The Wolf Man transformation scenes and   the scenes where Dracula turns into a bat (courtesy of animation) are excellent.  Basically, the plot has Dracula needing Lou’s brain to revive the Frankenstein Monster. Larry Talbot tries to help the boys, but ends up turning into the Wolf Man at the most inopportune times.

It was only the second (and last) time that Bela Lugosi played Dracula, and sadly, it was his last picture for a major Hollywood studio.  Universal originally wanted John Carradine as Dracula (he had played Drac previously in House of Frankenstein and House of Dracula) but director Charles T. Barton held out for Bela.  Lon Chaney played the Wolf Man for the fifth time and Glen Strange played the Monster for the third time (though Eddie Parker doubled for him in some scenes).  The film was a big hit for failing Universal, and it was the second time Bud Abbott and Lou Costello saved the studio (the first time being Buck Privates).  Universal quickly capitalized on the film’s success by having Bud and Lou Meet even more Monsters. Strange went on to Gunsmoke and Lugosi went on to do Ed Wood movies.  Also with Lenore Aubert, and Vincent Price as the voice of the Invisible Man.
Tags: a, abbott and costello, comedy, frankenstein, horror, lon chaney jr., lugosi, vampires, vincent price, werewolf
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