Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein
by Charles Barton
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Bela Lugosi, Bud Abbott, Glenn Strange, Lon Chaney Jr., Lou CostelloDirector: Charles Barton
Brand: Universal Studios
Cinematographer: Charles Van Enger
Producer: Robert Arthur
Writer: Bram Stoker
Writer: Frederic I. Rinaldo
Writer: John Grant
Writer: Mary Shelley
Writer: Robert Lees
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 83 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-08-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein
Movie Review: Seen him, sir, I don't even know him!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Chris Farley & David Spade.
Eddie Murphy & Judge Reinhold.
Steve Martin & Dan Ackroyd.
These names, coupled together, are synonymous with comedy. Without giving anything other than a name, scenes of cultish comedy will come to mind or perhaps you will even chuckle as you read this due to a flash memory of another great comedy duo doing what they do best - making us laugh. I had the unique opportunity to discover a new comedy duo that, if released in theaters today, would pack in the audiences and show us that comedy doesn't have to come from the bathroom. "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" was my first introduction to the abilities of one Bud Abbott and his companion Lou Costello - needless to say, I cannot wait to discover more. This film was witty, powerful, intelligent, extremely funny, and dedicated to the genres that it paid homage to. The comic timing of everyone involved was outstandingly on beat, making sure that each joke took that brief moment for us to savor and enjoy. "Frankenstein" is the epitome of a guilty pleasure, a fine wine that is gulped rather than sipped, without slowing down. From the opening lines to the final moments, I was captured on the edge of my couch - wondering why films of this nature have become extinct.
The story is simple, Abbott and Costello working for a freight company that receive a package of one Dracula and one Frankenstein for a local horror museum. With the background in place, one can easily see in which direction the humor is going to arrive, but what makes "Frankenstein" more than just a movie with jokes are the numerous scenes in which there are no monsters. These are the breaks that powerfully demonstrate the sheer brilliance of this duo. For example, throughout the film, Costello continues to shoot Cupid's arrow at the leading ladies, and to Abbott's surprise, they are welcoming (albeit they may have outside motives). These jokes about his image and charm, while secretly knowing the truth had me laughing from the inside out. This gave both of our characters a human element, instead of just being two comics in peril. There are two other scenes that particularly stood out as key comic moments for this film, demonstrating the multi-decade consistency of the jokes (a.k.a. they may be aged by not moldy). In scene at a party where the search is on for the pair, someone asks a waiter if they have seen a particular person, the witty and honestly jaw-dropping comedy response is ... "Seen him, I don't even know him". Translated onto the page, it isn't anything except words, but the delivery and boisterous retort had me in stitches. The second is when the Frankenstein monster is pursuing Costello and he pulls the tablecloth off a nearby table to trick Frankenstein. The joke comes when Costello pulls it off, the table furnishings and vase remain in place, and he quickly looks at the camera, smiles, and continues onto his part. To me, this was a classic moment in cinema; Costello takes us away from the film, pulls us into his life while giving us joy and laughter, and takes us back in - without ruining anything. It wasn't overplayed, it wasn't dramatic, it was simple - like all the jokes in this film - but with a backend that will remain in your mind forever. It was moments like these that transformed "Frankenstein" into a film you just weren't ready for. I was ready for the shenanigans, but when it came as bold and intelligent as these were - it just put another layer of icing on the cake.
As the jokes were the obvious standout of this film, my only bit of negativity was the lack of screen time for Abbott. It was obvious that the camera favored Costello in this film, as the entire introduction to the monsters was only used with him. Even towards the center, as our caper is well into play, Costello seemed to be a stronger character. Perhaps we could have seen the full force of the duo by working with them both consistently. Not that I was hoping for an "Apple Dumpling Gang" repeat, but something that would have demonstrated both of their genius. Again, it was seen - you see it - especially near the end, but more could have been done. The one scene that only wetted our appetite was when the two were together in the hotel and Abbott was trying to explain what he saw. One character was based in fantasy, while the other was the strong disbeliever looking for the truth. Perhaps, this is the first vision of the pathos of Mulder and Scully except in comedy form - think about that!
Overall, this was a perfect film for a rainy summer night. The jokes and comic element had me laughing throughout, while the initial discovery of this duo had me on the edge of my seat. I was asked if I wanted to purchase the entire Abbott and Costello set, and it was debated. I have seen one film, but does their niche wear off over time. I am going to have to watch more, but for now, I am content with merely meeting "Frankenstein". The memorable scene with the tablecloth remains a comedy moment that was well beyond its time, taking us away from the film - laughing at the person of Lou Costello - and finally bringing us back to the chaos that is ensuing. Watching, and being a fan, of the current re-releases of the Hammer films, this comedy pulled them all together well by bring the real actors back to play their monster counter-parts. It brought a sense of cinematic realism to the screen - meaning that the world that these actors had created individually pulled carried well into this one. More time with Abbott would be my only gripe, but perhaps with more viewings of others features I will see what made this duo a staple in the comic world. I would recommend this film for families, individuals who like to laugh, or a perfect first date movie. It just leaves you feeling good inside, without laughing from the bathroom!
Grade: **** ˝ out of *****
Summary of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein
ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN - DVD MovieUniversal Pictures made a great deal of money from its monster movies in the 1930s. In the early '40s, the burlesque team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello kept the studio's coffers full. When the two franchises were combined in 1948, the result was another windfall--despite the apparent oil-and-water mix of subject matter. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was the first of these summit meetings, although the title is a misnomer. Actually, Bud and Lou bump into most of the Universal heavy-hitters, including Count Dracula (played by Béla Lugosi himself), the Wolfman (Lon Chaney Jr.), and the Frankenstein monster (veteran monster Glenn Strange). There's even a token appearance by the Invisible Man, whose disembodied voice is recognizable as that of Vincent Price. Sure enough, the film is funny, especially since it gives the portly Costello multiple opportunities to do his wide-eyed, quivering scaredy-cat routine. Audiences ate it up, and in future installments Bud and Lou would run into Boris Karloff, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Invisible Man, and the Mummy. But the first was the best. --Robert Horton
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