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Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr, Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange ... see more see more... , Lénore Aubert , Jane Randolph , Frank Ferguson , Charles Bradstreet , Bobby Barber , Joe Kirk , Vincent Price , Helen Spring , Clarence Straight , Paul Stader , Howard Negley , George Barton , Carl Sklover , Harry Brown

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 (G... read more read more...lenn 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, Rovi

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81% liked it

7,815 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

22 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Charles Barton

Release Date: June 15, 1948

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DVD Release Date: September 30, 2006

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Stats: 591 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (591)

  • bottcorecords1
    March 29, 2012
    bottcorecords1
    By 1948, the Universal monsters were on their way out of fashion. Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolf Man, all had been popular for many years, but other trends (such as UFO invaders) were coming to the fore by the late forties. Abbott and Costello on the other hand, were just comi... read moreng into their peak, and with "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" they took their career on a whole other path (this was the first of several "Abbott and Costello Meet..." pictures). Anyhow, Abbott and Costello play a pair of bumbling freight handlers who are supposed to deliver Dracula's actual remains and Frankenstein's actual monster to some house of wax museum, but when they get there, Dracula wakes up and steals the monster for some nefarious scheme. Dracula and his scientist partners decide to replace the monster's brain with Lou Costello's, because this will supposedly make him more docile and easy to control. Meanwhile, the wolf man (Lon Chaney Jr.) learns of Dracula's scheme and soon arrives to try and stop him. There are some goofy gags and some slight scares, and the film strikes a nice balance between comedy and (light) horror. Fun.
  • blkbomb
    October 6, 2011
    blkbomb
    Dracula: What we need is young blood... and brains... 

    "Jeepers. The creepers are after Bud and Lou."

    Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a silly classic that includes some of the major Universal Studio monsters of the time; including Wolfman, Dracula and Frankenstein. It ... read moreis not all that funny now, but back in the flurries when it came out; it was probably hilarious. It's still a semi-fun film to watch from time to time.

    The best thing about the movie is the monsters and the plot isn't horrible either. Dracula plans on bringing Frankenstein back and having him have no will of his own so that Dracula can control him. Abbott and Costello then get involved in the story and silly slapstick ensues. That is what I don't like about it. The comedy just doesn't work anymore. I chuckled a couple of times, but that was about the extent to what the comedy did for me.

    It's not a bad movie, but I'd rather just watch the old monster movies without Abbott and Costello. It may be a classic, but it definitely isn't a must watch classic.
  • kenstachnik
    July 16, 2011
    kenstachnik
    Very very silly
  • ajv2688
    October 24, 2010
    ajv2688
    I liked this movie it's fun and has both comedy and horror movie stars. And of course, it's very funny.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    August 7, 2009
    cancercapricorn2002
    Baggage men Chick, (Bud Abbott) and Wilbur, (Lou Costello) are ordered to keep a series of crates from delivery to a House of Horrors, but they take them there anyway and unpack them. While delivering the crates, they find that they contain the bodies of Count Dracula, (Bela Lugo... read moresi) and Frankenstein's Monster, (Glenn Strange) and they slip off in the night in front of a terrified Wilbur. Wilbur and Chick eventually run into Larry Talbot, (Lon Chaney Jr.) who reveals that Dracula has plans to revive Frankenstein's Monster. Tracking the two to a castle, they find that Larry was telling the truth about the experiments, and have to escape before they are used in them.
    I'm a fan of Abbott And Costello so I might be a little bias here for some but this is my favorite horror comedy. It's the best example of the genre, keeping one of the main characteristics that few who have followed it fail to accomplish: the threat that comes in the film is treated as a serious threat. The monsters are serious and can really injure the protagonists, and aren't played for laughs or gags against them, which many who follow never really utilize well and therefore fail. The gags that come are therefore funny as the situation is serious and the out-of-place gag has some merit. This one does it really well and is the better for it. When it all comes crashing down at the end provides some nice action that was common-place among the era, as there's some spectacle thrown in that is quite exciting. The different battles going on that all intermingle with each other provide some nice action, including the ending on the dock. The monsters themselves are integrated into the usual situation with the two men, and in keeping with the tradition of integration, the monster storyline is carried along nicely as well. The gags are nice and funny, and the wordplay and slapstick they are famous for are in nice abundance here. It's a very rare film that should satisfy all the different types of fans out there.

    Some of my favorite lines:
    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?


    Larry Talbot: You don't understand. Every night when the moon is full, I turn into a wolf.
    Wilbur: You and twenty million other guys.
  • Deano78
    June 24, 2007
    Deano78
    The best of their films!
  • maciasoctaviano
    March 29, 2011
    maciasoctaviano
    A comedic classic.

    The film stars Abbot and Costello who are of course hilarious. The plot is hilariously executed in a way that makes a great use of the 3 most beloved monsters (Dracula, The Wolfman and Frankenstein) in a way that no other movie has ever been able to do as we... read morell. The film still works today as it did when it was released so it's pretty much aged well.

    Overall this is a classic film well deserving of a watch or two, or three.
  • staindslaved
    December 19, 2011
    staindslaved
    The best of all the Abbott and Costello Meet (insert person/monster here) films. Abbott and Costello are a legendary comedy team who created the greatest comedy duo bit ever with "Who's on First". That being said just about everything else of theirs I've seen has been lacking. ... read more I give the film a fresh rating simply for the cameos of just about all the Universal movie monsters, especially Bela Lugosi reprising the role of Dracula.
  • jim222001us
    November 1, 2010
    jim222001us
    The Abbott and Costello movies are usually all the same, Costello sees something scary and keeps calling Abbott to look but by the time Abbott gets there the monster is gone. Then the joke is repeated over and over again until Abbott finally believes Costello.
    Still, I think... read more their movies are surprisingly well made comedy/adventures. The sets and costumes are all top notch for their time. While just seeing Abbott and Castello with all these classic monsters is also well done.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    April 25, 2009
    Doctor0Quinzel
    Awesome! Really like this film, a favorite in my house.

View All Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
October 16, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

This 1948 effort is probably the last of their watchable films, though it's a long way from their best. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
August 8, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

The notion of having these two clowns run afoul of the famous screen monster is a good laugh in itself. But take this gentle warning: get the most out of that one laugh while you can, because the pict... Full Review

Tim Brayton
November 1, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

While the the film is representative of the absolute worst of Universal horror... it is one of the very best Abbott and Costello vehicles. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
August 28, 2009
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Well-constructed and satisfyingly low Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
January 3, 2008
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

It's ridiculous, of course, but the combination of classic monsters, dizzy sets and some of Bud and Lou's funniest bits make it a keeper. Full Review

October 16, 2007
Film4

The comedy duo's finest onscreen hour comes in the shape of this wonderful horror spoof which also unites all of Universal's scariest horror heroes under the same cinematic roof. Full Review

Kim Newman
October 16, 2007
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine

A little bit of going through the motions with this horror spoof but fans will enjoy Full Review

October 16, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

After this film's considerable success at the box office, Abbott and Costello made seven more pictures in which they 'met' Hollywood monsters, but none were as lively and entertaining as this one. Full Review

Steve Crum
February 16, 2006
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

THE best of Abbott and Costello's zany films, this time with Lugosi and Chaney playing their monsters seriously, which makes A&C's reactions hilarious.

Kevin Carr
September 23, 2005
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

Classic horror movie spoof.

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Trivia

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankens... Trivia

  • This is a plotline from which film - "A famous comedy team tries to survive in an old house chock full of classic horror characters. The Invisible Man makes a cameo 'appearance' at the end"?  Answer »
  • A famous comedy team tries to survive in an old house chock full of classic horror characters. The Invisible man makes a cameo "appearance" at the end.  Answer »
  • What movie is the tag line from? "More howls than you can shake a shiver at!!!"  Answer »
  • Who played the Frankenstein monster in "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein"?  Answer »
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