| Product: |
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (DVD) |
| Date: |
28/06/00 (100 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Fun for the whole family
Disadvantages: not long enough
a.k.a. Abbott and Costello Meet the Ghosts (1948)
a.k.a. Brain of Frankenstein, The (1948)
a.k.a. Meet the Ghosts (1948)
Fifty two years after its debut Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is still a fun film and, in my ever so humble opinion (ahem), the best one that Abbott and Costello have ever made. Much of the film’s draw is due solely to the horror actors playing it straight, the movie managed to be funny without ridiculing the monsters. The pacing of the film is wonderful, it simply flows, and the combination of comedy with the subtle hint of horror work better in this flick than in many modern comedy-horror films nowadays. This movie is a little masterpiece of fun and horror - you know, I think this very well may be the best attempt to combine horror and comedy to date.
Abbott and Costello are at their peak battling Dracula (Bela Lugosi, also in The Devil Bat, Return of the Vampire, Glen or Glenda, etc.), the Wolfman (Lon Chaney Jr. also starring in Son of Dracula, House of Frankenstein, Dracula vs. Frankenstein, etc. ) and Frankenstein’s monster (Glen Strange, probably the best Frankenstein to follow Boris Karloff, also in House Of Frankenstein and House Of Dracula, Jailhouse Rock) as they chase the duo trying to get Wilbur’s (Lou’s) brain transferred into Frankenstein.
Yet again the boys are humping at a menial job ( baggage claim in the Florida Keys) when two rather large boxes (*wink, wink*) arrive from London.
Wilbur is soon convinced he's seeing monsters, egged on by the Wolfman. "You don't understand. Every night when the moon is full, I turn into a wolf", says the Wolfman to Wilbur.
"You and fifty million other guys!" Is the reply from Wilbur. Chick (Bud), of course, thinks he’s crazy. Bud is the perfect foil to Lou's slapstick comedy, as always.
Bela Lugosi is simply brilliant, mostly because the story allows him to
tweak his legendary character while never losing any of the chill he is famous for creating years before.
The comedy of Abbott and Costello were at the height of their popularity during the late thirties and the forties with their particular style of verbal and slapstick comedy. From beginning to end this flick has an almost flawless and constant stream of laughs and thrills.
When I watch this film I get caught up in the fun of the actors and forget to listen for Costello's "famous blooper." Recent books about Abbott and Costello mention that Costello yells "Abbott" instead of Bud's character name Chick at some point in this picture. I can’t seem to ever find it but then again I am usually laughing so hard I have to concentrate on not wetting my pants!
If you want a good laugh or just something fun for the entire family, take a chance and rent this gem. You won't be disappointed.
Summary:
|
|
