Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
87%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a delightful romp that combines the comedic genius of the titular duo with the iconic monsters of Universal Studios. While some critics may find the film to be a mere shadow of the horror classics that came before it, it is undeniable that the chemistry between Abbott and Costello is electric, and their antics provide a perfect foil to the eerie atmosphere of the film. The inclusion of Bela Lugosi as Dracula and Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man only adds to the film’s charm, and the final scene is a wickedly satisfying conclusion to this comedic masterpiece. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of classic horror or simply looking for a good laugh, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a must-see film that will leave you howling with delight.
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a classic horror-comedy that will have you laughing and screaming at the same time. While some critics may find the film lacking, it’s hard not to enjoy the antics of Bud and Lou as they stumble their way through a plot involving Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and the Wolf Man. The monsters themselves are a highlight, with Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. reprising their iconic roles. If you’re in the mood for some silly scares and classic comedy, this film is a must-watch. Just don’t expect any deep insights or profound messages – this is pure entertainment at its finest!
Production Company(ies)
Inspirational, Racing/Driving
Distributor
Universal International Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Home Entertainment
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
NR
Year of Release
1948
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 23m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United Kingdom
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 15, 1948 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 4, 2012
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Bela Lugosi, Lenore Aubert, Jane Randolph, Glenn Strange, directed by Charles Barton, written by Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Robert Lees, Frederic I Rinaldo, John Grant, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kim Newman, Dave Kehr, Bosley Crowther, Marjorie Baumgarten, Mike Massie, M.V Moorhead, Chris Mathiesen, Paul Chambers, Felix Vasquez Jr., Matt Brunson, Tim Brayton, Fernando F Croce, Universal Pictures, MPAA rating, Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolf Man, horror spoof, railway baggage handlers, Florida, house of horrors museum, insurance purposes, vaudeville comedy routines, Universal Monsters, comedic, light horror, Invisible Man, slapstick, classic film fans, goofy gags, slight scares, campy charm, technical mistakes, outdated humor, Invisible Man ending
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $75,072,623
Production budget ranking: 561
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $40,426,608
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Lou Costello – Wilbur Grey
Bela Lugosi – Count Dracula
Lenore Aubert – Dr. Sandra Mornay
Jane Randolph – Joan Raymond
Glenn Strange – The Frankenstein Monster
Director – Charles Barton
Producer – Robert Arthur
Writers – Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, John Grant
Director(s)
Charles Barton
Writer(s)
Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Robert Lees, Frederic I. Rinaldo, John Grant
Producer(s)
Robert Arthur
Film Festivals
Berlin
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (28) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (3)
A little bit of going through the motions with this horror spoof but fans will enjoy
October 16, 2007 | Rating: 3/5
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
This 1948 effort is probably the last of their watchable films, though it’s a long way from their best.
October 16, 2007
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
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 picture, at Loew’s Criterion, does not contain many more.
August 8, 2006 | Rating: 2/5
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
This is one of the best of all the Abbott and Costello features.
March 10, 2003
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Were it not for the goofy leads, this could very well be yet another chapter in the series of classic monster mashups, which had fizzled out of theaters a few years prior.
December 7, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Even those of us who find Bud and Lou’s antics more dated than those of, say, Laurel and Hardy or the Marx Brothers, can still enjoy this one, because the monsters are a hoot.
January 6, 2020
M.V. Moorhead
Phoenix Magazine
It may prove a less satisfying offering than usual to devotees of the slim and stocky funsters. Abbott and Costello prevail, however, over the chilly doings of such competent scare artists as Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney.
August 13, 2019
Chris Mathiesen
Washington Star
The first of three films to pair the comedy team with Universal’s monsters. Moderately amusing.
October 26, 2014 | Rating: C
Paul Chambers
Movie Chambers
A masterpiece filled with raucous laughs, great spooks, and a wicked final scene.
October 13, 2014
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
This is the best of the boys’ efforts, allowing them to go for the nyuks yet never diminishing the standing of the classic Universal Studios monsters that figure in its plot.
September 13, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing
While the the film is representative of the absolute worst of Universal horror… it is one of the very best Abbott and Costello vehicles.
November 1, 2009 | Rating: 7/10
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy
Well-constructed and satisfyingly low
August 28, 2009
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion…
Plot
In Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, the comedic duo star as railway baggage handlers who are tasked with delivering crates to a house of horrors museum, but things go awry when they mishandle the crates and encounter Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and other classic horror characters.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t have any goofy or funny comments about the film Signed in.
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