Review Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Doctor Omega

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Last edited:
johnnybear

johnnybear

Member: Rank 6
My favourite Abbott & Costello and a fitting end to the great Universal Monsters! It's really weird to find out (which I did many years ago) that Bela Lugosi only played Count Dracula twice! In 1931 in the film of the same name and here in this fun filled cracker!
JB
 
Doctor Omega

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Production notes
  • The film was originally titled The Brain of Frankenstein, but the title was changed during filming to appear like less of a straight horror film and capitalize on Abbott and Costello's marquee value.
  • In a 1996 documentary, 100 Years of Horror, hosted by Christopher Lee, Bela Lugosi, Jr. states that the studio hired additional comedians to add laughs between takes on the set. This is incorrect; one comedian, Bobby Barber, sufficed.
  • Costello hated the script. He said that his five-year-old daughter could have written something better, but later warmed to the film during production.
  • During filming, Glenn Strange found Costello so funny he would often break up laughing, necessitating many retakes (this is readily apparent in the scene where Costello sits on the Monster's lap). There were several pie fights and other horseplay between takes as well, but Abbott and Costello respected the three monsters and made sure no pies or seltzer hit the heavily made-up actors.
  • No indication has been found suggesting Boris Karloff was ever approached to appear in this film, although he did help promote the film and can be seen in several publicity photos, including one where pointing at a poster outside a New York theater. His alleged comment ("As long as I don't have to see it!") has been used to imply he either disliked Abbott & Costello, or was aghast at playing the Monster for laughs. In fact, he had done the latter a year before in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947 film), though the segment was excised. And Karloff appeared with the duo in Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949), and in Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953).
  • When the Monster throws Sandra through the lab window, Glenn Strange stepped on a camera cable and fractured his ankle. Lon Chaney Jr., who had previously played the Monster in The Ghost of Frankenstein, took over the role of the Monster for that brief scene. A stuntmen doubled for Strange in some long shots of the fire scenes on the pier.
  • The Australian film board deleted almost every scene involving a monster before the film could be approved for release in that country.
  • This was the only time on film Béla Lugosi officially reprised the role he had created in Dracula (1931). He had previously portrayed vampires or similar caped characters in Mark of the Vampire (1935), Spooks Run Wild, The Return of the Vampire (1943) and Scared to Death (1947) and would do so again in Mother Riley Meets the Vampire (1952) and Plan 9 from Outer Space, as well as a gag cameo as a wax figure of himself as Dracula in a 1933 Hollywood on Parade short, but this was the only other time he played Dracula as a sustained role.

  • Abbott and Costello sidekick Bobby Barber appears in the film as a waiter at the costume ball. Barber was a regular part of the crew of many Abbott and Costello productions. Deleted and backstage footage from the movie catches Costello and Barber in several gags and stunts.
  • The final scene with the Invisible Man presaged Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), though Price did not star, and all characters were different. However, Vincent Price had appeared in The Invisible Man Returns (1940).
  • This was the fourth Universal film to include Dracula assuming an alias, "Dr. Lajos." The character masquerades as "Count Alucard" in Son of Dracula, as "Baron Latos" in "House of Frankenstein (1944 film)" and "House of Dracula". Coincidentally, Béla Lugosi had a brother named Lajos.
 
Doctor Omega

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein - LIVE EVENT w/Expert Panel

Event at the Pomona Fox Theater featuring guest panelists Béla Lugosi, Jr., Ron Chaney, Craig Reardon, and Bill Corso. Created for the 65th anniversary of the film. Filmed in September 2013.
Click to expand...


 
Doctor Omega

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
John Landis on ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN


After "Young Frankenstein", this is probably the best-loved horror comedy of all time and is more elaborately produced than the previous two serious Frankenstein films. Bela Lugosi's final turn as Dracula, and his last major studio picture. Great music score by Frank Skinner turned up in numerous subsequent A&C monster rallies.
Click to expand...


 
johnnybear

johnnybear

Member: Rank 6
I remember that when the monster threw the vampire nurse threw the window her black knickers were easily viewable! Odd that that wasn't cut in those days! Strange that those days are sort of back with us now with any nudity or sexy shots very heavily frowned upon! :emoji_angry:
JB
 
chainsaw_metal1

chainsaw_metal1

Member: Rank 8
This movie should, in no capacity, work. On any conceivable level. But dammit, it is such a great film. Not only are the monsters awesome, but Abbott and Costello bring their A-game here. Such an enjoyable movie.
 
johnnybear

johnnybear

Member: Rank 6
The scene where Lou Costello enters Talbot's room after his transformation is very scary and yet funny at the same time!
JB
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top