Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

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houdini's ghost
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Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby houdini's ghost » December 18th, 2010, 10:33 pm

Well, I certainly do.
I only started this thread because Richard attempted to hijack the Blake Edwards thread by bringing up a movie I watch at least three times a year: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Charles Barton directed that one.
He also directed most of the television Amos 'n' Andy shows.
http://www.houdinisghost.com/amosandy.html
The Universal monsters meant everything to me when I was a kid. Now, I can watch the whole Frankenstein canon. Boris as the monster in three, Lon in one, Bela in one, and Glenn in three.
And as painful as it was for some of the old stars to see their monsters used for comedy, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is the capstone for me. Perfect way to end it.

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Smurf
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Smurf » December 18th, 2010, 11:19 pm

I really enjoyed this movie, though I haven't seen it in ages. In my younger days I watched all the old horror movies and much Abbott and Costello.

About a year ago I checked out the 5-Frankenstein Movie DVD set from the library and watched it. It was very impressive, especially Boris' makeup in the first. It was also interesting to spot different parts of each movie that were used in Young Frankenstein.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 19th, 2010, 12:26 am

"Soon the moon will be full and I'll turn into a wolf."

"You and 20 million other guys."
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Jonathan Pendragon
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Jonathan Pendragon » December 19th, 2010, 3:38 am

The animation used to turn Dracula into a bat followed by the really great stunt of the Wolfman catching the bat mid-air is epic.

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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Diamond Jim Tyler » December 19th, 2010, 10:43 am

This is one of my all time favorites. I love introducing people to this movie who have never seen it, like younger folks. When I was a senior in college working on my criminology degree I worked at a half-way house for juvenile offenders. I would bring them movies to watch and this is one that they really enjoyed. I too try to watch it at least once a year.

Here's one of my favorite bits from the movie:

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?
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JohnCox
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby JohnCox » December 19th, 2010, 11:00 am

Before Houdini, my obsession was Universal Monsters. My stepfather, who was an editor at The Burbank Studios, would bring home 16mm prints of the classic U monster films and project them on our living room wall (before VCRs, this was the only way I could see some of these movies). I admit A&C Meet Frankenstein is not one of my favorites, but I'm still very fond of it and it's still canon (kinda).

Speaking of Universal monsters, a while back I went in search of where they shot the famous Frankenstein/Little Marie encounter. And I found it! Wrote up an article for the sensational blog, Frankensteinia.

http://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/2009 ... ke-by.html
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Andrew Martin Portala » December 19th, 2010, 12:05 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:"Soon the moon will be full and I'll turn into a wolf."

"You and 20 million other guys."

LOL!!! Love it !

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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Andrew Martin Portala » December 19th, 2010, 12:15 pm

Many moons ago. Back in 5th grade my class when to camp. They showed Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, a Castle film short version . The movie ended and they had to rewind the film.Well,they showed the film again but going backwards and upside down. i know this really doesn't read funny but us kids were screaming with laughter .

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 19th, 2010, 12:49 pm

There are a lot of outtakes and bloopers for this film floating around, something the folks at Universal have never had the decency to add to a DVD in good quality. Lou Costello love to play practical jokes on the set, and took great delight in making Glenn Strange crack up. It's funny to see Frankenstein laughing.
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Doug Thornton » December 19th, 2010, 12:51 pm

"Back!...Back!...Back!......He thinks I'm Dracula!"
Smiles all around
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Andrew Martin Portala » December 19th, 2010, 1:59 pm

The invisible man what a kicker!

houdini's ghost
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby houdini's ghost » December 19th, 2010, 3:01 pm

How about when Dracula has revived the Monster. The Monster is following Dracula out and gets a look at Wilbur (Lou) who is hypnotized. At the sight of Wilbur, The Monster is frightened out of his wits, and Dracula tells the Monster, "don't be afraid! He won't hurt you!"
To John Cox: Bob Hays lives on Lake Malibou and he had I know the spot very well, and we both caught the usually very accurate Rudy Behlmer miscalling the setting of little Marie's first swimming lesson.
Very good, John

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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby glennwatson » December 19th, 2010, 7:51 pm


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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 19th, 2010, 8:47 pm

That's not what I was referring to: those "mistakes" appear in the film as released.
There's a whole reel of alternate takes that are very funny.
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Jonathan Townsend » December 19th, 2010, 10:22 pm

and that reel is available where?
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Brad Henderson » December 20th, 2010, 11:30 am

profilesinhistory.com

Just had a major memorabilia auction and had a good deal of classic monster material in it.

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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby JFox » December 20th, 2010, 12:30 pm

I love A&C, and this film, in particular.

btw - I always thought that for a A&C film...the scene of Frankenstein tossing the nurse out of the castle's high window (right through the pane of glass, I think)...was pretty "violent", especially for a female character.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 20th, 2010, 12:59 pm

JFox: you might be interested to know that because Glenn Strange broke his ankle, Lon Chaney Jr. had to sub for him as the Monster, and it is he you see throwing the lady out the window.

It's easy to spot if you step through it frame by frame: Chaney's face is very full, while Glenn Strange's cheeks are quite sunken. Once you see it, you can't miss it at normal speed because Chaney really looks much different in the makeup.
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby JFox » December 20th, 2010, 1:26 pm

Neat factoid! --Thanks Richard

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Kevin Connolly
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Kevin Connolly » December 20th, 2010, 4:04 pm

And her not clearing the window frame. She bounced on her hip, that still makes me hurt.
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Jonathan Townsend
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Jonathan Townsend » December 20th, 2010, 8:36 pm

1:17 or thereabouts - ouch.
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby J-Mac » December 21st, 2010, 12:55 am

Absolutely LOVE this flic! I was (and still am, actually) a complete monster movie freak growing up. Broadway Theater on So. Broad St. in South Philadelphia, every Saturday a double feature of monster movies - as often as possible William Castle's - and at least once a month there were monster guest stars during the intermission between the movies: the Frankenstein monster, Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, etc. They would wander around the theater, making most of the kids laugh rather than scream, and toss out candy bars. What a trip! And all for a quarter!

Jim

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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Brandon Hall » December 21st, 2010, 12:15 pm

I'm straying a bit off topic here...but has anyone heard the story about Bud Abbott being "Shanghaied" as a boy and being forced to serve abourd a merchant ship for several years before being allowed to return home?
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby Jonathan Townsend » December 21st, 2010, 12:42 pm

Sounds like something from one of the Fox sketch comedy shows - men at sea or such from Living Color. -J
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smoke&mirrors
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Re: Who Loves Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein?

Postby smoke&mirrors » December 25th, 2010, 2:51 am

Jonathan Townsend wrote:and that reel is available where?



And I second THAT request...AND THAT REEL IS AVAILABLE WHERE?
Maybe William Mchalany knows.


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