Search - Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children, Slapstick Violence Movie Release: 1948 DVD Release: 08/29/2000 Format: DVD - Black and White Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 23 mins Studio: Universal Studios Members Wishing: 23 Genres: Comedy, Slapstick, Horror Comedy, Creature Film, Odd Couple Film

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, All Movie Guide

Bud Abbott - Chick Young
Lou Costello - Wilbur Grey
Lon Chaney, Jr. - Lawrence Talbot/The Wolf Man
Bela Lugosi - Dracula
Glenn Strange - The Monster

Universal has given the "Classic Monster" DVD treatment to a 1948 film, also featuring Bela Lugosi as Dracula and Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man (the Mummy was apparently too wrapped up to participate), that many consider Abbott and Costello's best. The black-and-white film, which has Dracula trying to replace the Frankenstein Monster's (Glenn Strange) brain with the pliable brain of Costello, is presented in ordinary 1.33:1 full frame format and slightly enhanced Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Where the special treatment occurs is in the inclusion of both a making-of documentary (full of behind-the-scenes tidbits) and a feature-length commentary (by film historian Gregory W. Mank), as well as production notes, production photographs, and cast/filmmaker biographies, just like in Universal's heavyweight "Classic Monster" series. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is often considered one of the top horror-comedies of all time, and this respectful DVD version shows that Universal has no desire to bite the hand that's feeding them. ~ Russell Roberts, All Movie Guide