Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

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

Director:

Charles Barton (as Charles T. Barton)

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:

More howls than you can shake a shiver at!!!

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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)

Gross USA:

$4,796,000

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

Even though actors Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr. and Glenn Strange all reprise their roles from earlier films, this particular film is not considered to be part of the continuous storyline from those movies. Therefore, there was no need to explain, for example, why Larry Talbot is still a werewolf after having been cured in House of Dracula (1945).

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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

Dr. Lejos/Dracula: Nervous, my dear?
Dr. Sandra Mornay: This is risky business.

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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 Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Monsters (2008)

User Reviews

Agree With The Critics On This One

Stupid? Yes. Corny? Yes. Hokey? Yes. Entertaining? Definitely. Lots of good laughs? You said it!

To be honest, I am not a big fan of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello but this is a funny movie, considered their best by most critics and, for once, I agree with them. I mean, where else can you see The Wolf Man, Frankenstein and Dracula all together in the same film? Not only that, we get two of the original actors who actually played those roles: Lon Chaney (wolf man) and Bela Lugosi (Dracula).

The special-effects are terrible but, hey, the film is close to 60 years old. If you are going to see only one A-C film, this is the one you want to get.