This is a very popular classic film, and with good reason. Coming when the Universal monster films were running on fumes, the addition of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello created a perfect blueprint for the Horror Comedy where both genres are equally well-served. This is a gateway film for many people curious about Dracula, The Wolfman and Frankenstein’s Monster and a great way for parents to introduce these characters to their children. (While Bela Lugosi is legendary for playing Dracula, he actually rarely did it.) From here you can not only explore the Universal monster catalogue, but spread to other A&C films too.
Which brings me to my problem. I understand how this has become a Horror/Comedy classic, but the more I explore the more I see this as a misfire. Lugosi is playing Count Dracula, but his performance is completely different, slowed down and over-gestured to fit the comedy. The actor playing Frankenstein, never played the part before or since, so there’s no continuity of history with the character. (That leaves Lon Chaney Jr., who is still a perfect Wolfman.) Putting them in the same film isn’t as ingenious as it seems, it’s something the studio was doing to better effect before this. On the Comedy side, this is one of Abbott’s meaner and more abusive films, constantly belittling Costello and physically knocking him around. This started a mini-franchise of A&C Horror Comedies, many of which let the duo shine brighter.
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