10 Offbeat And Frequently Silly Frankenstein Films

2. Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney Jnr) is in England when he realises that Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster have been shipped to a wax work exhibition place. He phones America in a panic and happens to get the hapless Wilbur Grey (Costello) . Talbot is a werewolf and mid conversation a pesky full moon turns him into a lycanthrope. Chick (Abbott) is a bit cynical about it all and the pair deliver the two packages to McDougal's House of Horror. Wilbur witnesses Dracula coming out of his coffin, but Chick ignores him when he tells him of this. Dracula hypnotises Wilbur and reanimates Frankenstein's Monster. Dr Sandra Mornay appears on the scene. She has been posing as Wilbur's girlfriend but she is really a female version of Frankenstein and all she wants is his pliable, docile brain to replace the monster's current hostile and rebellious brain. The film then goes into hilarious slapstick mode with Chaney going wild as a werewolf and Bela Lugosi as a debonair Dracula who bites Dr Sandra and makes her his vampire slave. Lou and Bud have to get themselves out of this pickle before Costello loses his brain. Frequently cited as one of the funniest movies ever made, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a charming comedy caper but also manages to conjure up a spooky atmosphere. The sets are Gothic and imposing. There is strong horror talent in the film in the shape of Lon Chaney Jnr - who spends his time in the film on a rampage as a werewolf - and also Bela Lugosi as the slick but sinister Dracula. The movie has a great storyline and the reasons for Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and Wolf Man coming together in the film is not as contrived as the other Abbott and Costello Meet... movies. Lou and Bud put in some very funny performances - their brand of comedy is pitch perfect for the material (idiot and cynic). The monster is a bit of a let down and just lies about until the final frames but overall, all actors and actresses in the film gel together and acquit themselves admirably in this classic Universal monster film which is one of the finest of its kind.