Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Two hapless freight handlers find themselves encountering Dracula, the Frankenstein Monster and the Wolf Man.

Directors:

Charles Barton (as Charles T. Barton), Walter Lantz (uncredited)

Writers:

Robert Lees (original screenplay), Frederic I. Rinaldo (original screenplay)

Stars:

Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr.

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bud Abbott	...	Chick
Lou Costello	...	Wilbur
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Lawrence Talbot (as Lon Chaney)
Bela Lugosi	...	Dracula
Glenn Strange	...	Monster
Lenore Aubert	...	Sandra Mornay
Jane Randolph	...	Joan Raymond
Frank Ferguson	...	Mr. McDougal
Charles Bradstreet	...	Dr. Stevens

Storyline

The world of freight handlers Wilbur Grey and Chick Young is turned upside down when the remains of Frankenstein's monster and Dracula arrive from Europe to be used in a house of horrors. Dracula awakens and escapes with the weakened monster, who he plans to re-energize with a new brain. Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) arrives from London in an attempt to thwart Dracula. Dracula's reluctant aide is the beautiful Dr. Sandra Mornay. Her reluctance is dispatched by Dracula's bite. Dracula and Sandra abduct Wilbur for his brain and recharge the monster in preparation for the operation. Chick and Talbot attempt to find and free Wilbur, but when the full moon rises all hell breaks loose with the Wolfman, Dracula, and Frankenstein all running rampant.

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Plot Keywords:

spoof | crate | warning | full moon | supernatural power | 

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Taglines:

Jeepers! the creepers are after somebody - and guess who!

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 June 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Brain of Frankenstein

Filming Locations:

Benedict Castle, Riverside, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,444

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Allegedly, the ring Bela Lugosi wore was in the possession of Forrest J. Ackerman for many decades. However, its authenticity has recently been disputed, when close-up photos revealed notable differences between Ackerman's ring and the original. This, however, didn't stop an auction house from selling it - after putting pressure on a fan who had posted a detailed account of his investigation including photos showing the significant differences between the two - nor a collector from buying it.

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Goofs

According to "The Wolf Man," a person who is bitten by a werewolf and lives, becomes a werewolf himself. In this movie, Larry Talbot says that he was bitten by a werewolf and becomes a wolf when the moon is full. At the masquerade, McDougal was bitten by Larry Talbot. The following night, Larry Talbot turns into a wolf again, but McDougal does not.

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Quotes

Dracula: And about the brain? I don't want to repeat Frankenstein's mistake and revive a vicious, unmanageable brute. This time the Monster must have no will of his own, no fiendish intellect to oppose his Master.

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Crazy Credits

Charles Bradstreet is credited as Dr. Stevens, but his character is never once called "Doctor." He is always referred to as Professor Stevens.

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Alternate Versions

For its original release, the Australian film board required that almost every scene involving a monster be removed before release.

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Connections

Referenced in SeaQuest 2032: Daggers (1994)

User Reviews

Great finale

This is probably the best horror comedy ever made.While it doesn't make fun of the monsters it does have some fun with them.Just love the Frankenstein monster's initial reaction to Lou Costello.

Lugosi truly shows how wrong Universal was to treat him so badly over the years.He gives a wonderful perfomance with nice comedic touches.Chaney is excellent in "his baby" the Wolf Man.Strange is given a bit more to do as the monster rather than just lie around until the last five minutes.

Great fun for everybody!