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

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Wilbur (Lou Costello) sits on the lap of the Frankenstein Monster (Glenn Strange) in the basement of Dracula's castle, you can see that, when Wilbur has seen the Monster and he is sliding down his lap, the Monster is almost smiling. This is because Costello was ad-libbing different reactions to meeting the Monster in the basement and Strange would start laughing.

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Goofs

When McDougal and his friend confront Wilbur and Chick on the pier towards the end of the film, Wilbur and Chick both say, "McDougal!" but neither Chick's or Wilbur's lips moves.

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Quotes

Chick Young: I don't get it. Out of all the guys around here that classy dish has to pick out a guy like you.
Wilbur Grey: What's wrong with that?
Chick Young: Go look at yourself in the mirror sometime.
Wilbur Grey: Why should I hurt my own feelings?

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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 Monster Kid Radio: Derek and Joe Meet Abbott and Costello and Frankenstein (2013)

User Reviews

Enough comic and classic elements to make it fun and funny.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

You might think this would be a silly and commercially exploitive movie. And so (therefore) it might end up badly done, a waste.

But not so. It's really funny and dramatic, drawing on the best of the old Monster actors (Lon Chaney Jr. in particular, but Bela Lugosi, too), and on the truly comic genius of Bud Abbott (the short one). The story is what you would expect in some ways, but the endless misreading of the situation by both Abbott (who's on to things and no one believes him) and Costello (who is the ultimate doubter) is a perfect set up for laughs and trickery.

Everything is cheap, and there is not real horror, for sure, but it's just great to see these people back in action. There's even an uncredited Vincent Price in the last scene, but he's hard to see. Ha ha. Check it out!

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