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Universal Studios combined two of its best-loved franchises of the '30s and '40s -- monsters and Abbott & Costello -- to create 1948's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. The result is not only a classic for the titular comic duo but also one of the most inspired horror spoofs predating Young Frankenstein. The simple, beside-the-point story finds the bumbling boys with the task of delivering two large and mysterious crates to a house of horrors. The crates, of course, contain none other than two famous monsters, Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) and Frankenstein (Glenn Stranger in lieu of Boris Karloff). Abbott and Costello quickly learn the severity of this predicament with the help of Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.), who, as luck would have it, turns into the Wolf Man when the moon is (inevitably) full. Reprising their own legendary roles, Lugosi and Chaney Jr. never once crack a smile, helping to make the film a winning blend of comedy and horror. In addition to drawing a blueprint for a modern spoof like Scary Movie, the film spawned a whole new monster series for Universal, featuring comedy's most confused baseball fans in the likes of Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man, Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy -- quite possibly the most hilarious cross-promotions ever. Jason Bergenfeld

All Movie Guide

It seems that Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), in league with a beautiful but diabolical lady scientist (Lenore Aubert), needs a "simple, pliable" brain with which to reactivate Frankenstein's creature (Glenn Strange). The "ideal" brain belongs to the hapless Lou Costello, whom the lady doctor woos to gain his confidence and lure him to the operating table. Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.), better known as the Wolf Man, arrives on the scene to warn Costello and his pal Bud Abbott of Dracula's nefarious schemes. Throughout the film, the timorous Costello witnesses the nocturnal rituals of Dracula and the Monster, but can't convince the ever-doubting Abbott--until the wild climax in Dracula's castle, where the comedians are pursued by all three of the film's monstrosities. As a bonus, the Invisible Man (voiced by an unbilled Vincent Price) shows up for "all the excitement." Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 025192057229
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Presentation: B&W
• Sound: monaural
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Français
• Time: 1:23:00
• Sales Rank: 6,470

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Best of Abbott & Costello 3
• Abbott & Costello - The Complete Universal Pictures Collection

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