Discover
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Mary Shelley
Characters -
Charles Barton
Director -
Bram Stoker
Characters -
Norman Abbott
Dialogue Coach -
Eddie Parker
Stunts -
Walter Lantz
Animation Director -
Emile LaVigne
Makeup Artist -
Ed Love
Animation
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John Chard 5/16/2024 3:22:25 PM
Universal Tag Team Delights. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is directed by Charles Barton and written by Robert Lees, Frederic Rinaldo and John Grant. It stars Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Junior, Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert and Jane Randolph. Music is by Frank Skinner and cinematography by Charles Van Enger. It's well documented come 1948 that Abbott and Costello were becoming victims of changing times and filmic ideas. Coupled with the one time success of the Universal classic monster movies having seemingly had their day, someone at the merged Universal-International head office decided to pit the comic duo with the creature feature legends. Thus a film franchise was born and it helped reignite Bud and Lou's career. Making the Universal monsters a viable theatre draw once again, this first teaming set a high standard that wasn't to be matched with the following "meet the monsters" series. It's a near hilarious spoof of the classic 1930s/40s horrors, where it finds Bud and Lou as hapless transport porters involved with the revival of Dracula and the Frankenstein monster. The usual comedy staples of the comedy duo are adhered to, which is nicely countered by the monsters themselves mostly playing it straight. With the added bonus of having Lugosi once again donning the Count Dracula cape, the nostalgic value for classic horror buffs is enormous. It's of course wonderfully energetic and daft, but still not a scene is wasted. With smart gags - both visually and orally - and a finale of great entertainment worth, this is very much a pic to embrace for a pick me up purpose. 8/10
Vincent Price
The Invisible Man (voice)Lon Chaney Jr.
The WolfmanGlenn Strange
The MonsterFrank Ferguson
Mr. McDougalBela Lugosi
DraculaHelen Spring
Woman at Baggage CounterJane Randolph
Joan RaymondLou Costello
Wilbur Grey