Another Universal classic!
I enjoyed the movie, again, and the special features, which I hadn't seen before. While a comedy, as best I can remember, this was the last movie to feature the classic monsters with traditional actors playing them.

good Abbott and Costello
This movie is a bit dated, but it's always fun to watch Abbott and Costello.

Terrorlicious!
One of the very first movies I remember seeing as a very young boy was Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein on Million Dollar Movie on WOR-TV, Channel 9 in New York, in the early '60's. I was so enthralled with this movie, that as I got older, it easily became my favorite A&C movie...followed by Keep 'Em Flying...
This movie never fit into the continuity of the other Universal "Monster" films, as the Wolfman had actually been cured in 1945 in The House of Frankenstein. But how wonderful to see Lugosi reprise his role of Dracula..only the second time he would play the role...the first in 1930 in the original film 'Dracula"
One thing to note is that in the laboratory battle scene, Glenn Strange, who played the Frankenstein Monster, had broken his foot, and was not the monster in these scenes. Some say it was Lugosi and other say it was Chaney who played the Monster in these brief scenes. Look carefully. Both men played the Monster in previous films.
A&C Meet Frankenstein has been included in the AFI's top 100 films of all time. Quite an accomplishment!!!!!

abott and costello meets frankenstein
i like this so much its one of my favorites out of ten thousand movies

Seen him, sir, I don't even know him!!
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: **** ½ out of *****