OTF's Blue Publication October 2016
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948)
As the month of October begins, and Halloween is upon us in a few weeks, I think it’s only logical that my film review should be on a Halloween theme. And while I’m at it, why not write on a classic film which may not be familiar to everybody, to perhaps help reintroduce it to the younger generations. I choose ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, the 1948 monster comedy, featuring such icons as Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolfman, and Glenn Strange as the Frankenstein monster. The result is a “howlingly” funny little gem, which hasn’t lost its power to entertain even after 67 years.
The legendary comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play Chick Young and Wilbur Grey in the film, two bumbling baggage clerks who become embroiled in the shipment of two crates, which are to be delivered to the “McDougal House of Horrors”. These crates, unwittingly, happen to contain no less than the undead bodies of both Dracula and the Frankenstein monster. Chick and Wilbur of course cannot resist to open the crates to satisfy their curiosity, which unleashes the monsters. Spooky and scary hilarity ensues. Meanwhile, Lawrence Talbot AKA The Wofman joins the fray, wanting to destroy both Dracula and the Frankenstein monster, and then presumably himself as well. This entertaining and quite funny monster mash contains many genuinely hilarious moments, and is perfectly suitable for the whole family. A perfect Halloween flick.
An uncredited Vincent Price supplies the voice of the Invisible Man, in a neat cameo towards the end of the movie. The length is fairly short, clocking in at a mere 83 minutes, which seems to me a good length for this kind of comedy. It is a satisfying romp, which is preferably experienced around Halloween time with a group of friends and/or family.