Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)


By the late 1940s the Universal horror films had turned from artful, stylish gothic horror to little more than cheap b-movies.  It appeared that things may get back on track with The Wolf Man.  However, despite that movie's success, it never received a proper sequel.  While the subsequent movies featuring Lon Chaney Jr. as Lawrence Talbot were fun they concentrated on what kids wanted to see, which was Frankenstein's monster and Dracula duking it out with our hairy-handed gent. 

That is among the reasons that Bud Abbott was not too happy when presented with the script for Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.  At the time the team of him and Lou Costello was one of the biggest comedy acts around, with a number of hit films, not to mention popularity on radio and live shows.  What sold Abbott on it was a big paycheck and a director, Charles Barton, that had frequently worked with the duo in the past.  Little did they know it would become one of the biggest hits of their career as well as a better monster movie than most of the serious ones the studio was churning out.

Lawrence Talbot calls to the town of Isla Medina in Florida where two supposed attractions are being shipped: the remains of Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) and Frankenstein's monster (Glenn Strange).  He reaches bumbling shipping agent Wilbur Gray (Costello) who misinterprets the call as coming from the receiver of the crates, Mr. McDougal (Frank Ferguson).  Talbot is trying to make sure the crates are not opened as the bodies inside are very much alive.

McDougal himself proves quite hard to deal with and demands that the crates be dropped off in person.  While delivering with his partner Chick Young (Abbott) Wilbur discovers the truth.  Unfortunately, no one believes him until Talbot shows up and explains what is going on.  Dracula intends to use the monster as his slave, but it is not up to full strength and also has a mind of his own.  To correct that Dracula intends to use the talents of Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert) to move Wilbur's brain into the monster's body, as Wilbur is naturally pliable.  Talbot aims to stop this from happening and to end their reign of terror, and his suffering, once and for all.

The only major problem with this movie is the title.  Like the three movies that came before it this is a Wolf Man movie with guests.  Frankenstein has always been the creator of the monster and neither he, nor any of his descendants, are present in this film.  It's a small quibble as we get Glenn Strange returning as the monster, a part he last played in House of Frankenstein, and Bela Lugosi appearing for the second and last time on film in his most famous role.  It would also sadly be his last major role for Universal.  

The team of writers came up with a good script, combining the atmosphere of The Wolf Man with plenty of great jokes for Abbott and Costello.  Everyone except the duo plays it straight, especially Lugosi and Chaney, which lends this film most of its charm and elevates it from being a silly parody to an actual worthy part of the series.  I would argue, considering the actors brought in to play the monsters, even more worthy than the most recent entries prior.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Time: 83 minutes
Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert, Frank Ferguson
Directors: Charles Barton, Walter Lantz



 

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