31 Days of Halloween: Day Seven

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948 Rated PG for mild situational horror and Costello, because he’s a “Baaaad Boooooy”)

Summary (from IMDB):

The world of freight handlers Wilbur Grey and Chick Young is turned upside down when the remains of Frankenstein’s monster and Dracula arrive from Europe to be used in a house of horrors. Dracula awakens and escapes with the weakened monster, who he plans to re-energize with a new brain. Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) arrives from London in an attempt to thwart Dracula. Dracula’s reluctant aide is the beautiful Dr. Sandra Mornay. Her reluctance is dispatched by Dracula’s bite. Dracula and Sandra abduct Wilbur for his brain and recharge the monster in preparation for the operation. Chick and Talbot attempt to find and free Wilbur, but when the full moon rises all hell breaks loose with the Wolfman, Dracula, and Frankenstein all running rampant.

RB Wood’s Rating (out of 5): 4 “Hey Abb-ott’s!”

I’m sure You are wondering why the hell this is on my list.  Especially since there are classics from the Universal Horror Collection such as:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), The Phantom of the Opera (1925), Dracula (1931 althought the Spanish shot-by-shot copy of the same year is MUCH better), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932)…and dozens of others.

So WHY Abbott and Costello?  In my opinion this is the BEST of the lot when it comes to bringing all the major monsters together.  Two hapless frieght handlers, Wilber (Costello) and Chick (Abbott) discover a few things shipped from Europe refuse to stay in thier containers.  The great Lon Chaney Jr. Plays Talbot–The Wolf Man.  Bela Lugosi is in for his second (and last) run as Dracula.  And even Vincent Price has a cameo as The Invisable man.

More than star power of the 30’s and 40’s, this is a witty script–significantly enhanced with Bud Abbott’s brilliant straighman and Lou Costello’s classic vaudville comedy.  There is some brilliant lines in this: “Oh pal. That’s all right; I’m sort of a wolf myself.” (Costello chatting with Talbot who reveals his wolfish secret) or Chick “You’re making enough noise to wake up the dead!” Wilbur – “I don’t have to wake him up. He’s up.”

It works, because EVERYONE plays it straight, except for Costello.  And I laugh everytime.  If you want to see a few of the best monsters from the middle of the last century, as well as one of the best comedy duos in action, pick this up.

Tomorrow: They’re Here!

Peace