Synopsis: Two bumbling baggage clerks get caught in a madcap chase when Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Wolf Man come to life in this classic monster comedy.
Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert
Director: Charles Beaton
Rated: NR
Running Length: 83 minutes
Disc Review in Brief: The ultimate Universal monster crossover remains a masterpiece of horror comedy, and Kino Lorber’s 4K restoration — with three excellent commentaries — is the definitive release.
Review:
Call it Universal’s first monster mash. Before the MCU made crossover events a billion-dollar industry, the studio that built its reputation on Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man threw all its icons into one film with a pair of vaudeville comedians. The result shouldn’t have worked. Instead, it became one of the greatest horror comedies ever made, something I already mentioned when I first reviewed the film in 2012.
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play Chick and Wilbur, railway baggage clerks who receive a mysterious shipment bound for a wax museum. Inside: the remains of Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi, returning to his signature role for the first time since 1931) and Frankenstein’s Monster (Glenn Strange, House of Dracula). When both creatures escape — with Dracula planning to transplant Wilbur’s simple brain into the Monster — chaos ensues. The duo finds themselves running for their lives alongside Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr., The Wolf Man), who transforms into a werewolf whenever the moon rises.
The genius of the film is that the monsters play it completely straight. Lugosi delivers Dracula with the same elegant menace he brought to the original. Chaney treats Talbot’s curse as genuine tragedy. This commitment allows the horror to function as actual horror; meanwhile, Abbott and Costello’s comedy works as counterpoint rather than parody. Director Charles Barton, who would helm several more Abbott and Costello pictures, knew enough to let Costello’s physical comedy breathe, allowing Abbott’s long-suffering straight man to keep the chaos grounded.
The production values remain impressive even today. Built entirely on Universal’s backlots, the sets are gorgeously detailed. This was when set pieces were practical and often used for multiple films to get the maximum use out of them. The special effects, including Lugosi’s transformation into a bat and other moments of pure movie magic of that era, still charm.
Better yet, the final minutes deliver a pace that few modern blockbusters can match. All three monsters converge for a chaotic climax that ends the film on a terrific high note. Vincent Price‘s uncredited cameo as the Invisible Man in the closing seconds teased a sequel that would arrive three years later but, sadly, wouldn’t materialize as fans hoped.
Kino Lorber’s 4K restoration may be some of their best work yet, and this is a treasure that is well worth the effort. Scanned from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision HDR, the black-and-white photography has a luster that makes it look freshly struck from archival elements. Active grain gives the image a natural texture without causing distraction. It’s a near reference-quality presentation for a film already deemed worthy of preservation in the National Film Registry.
Three commentary tracks deliver a wealth of insight for fans of the comedy duo—or anyone who loves the film. Joe Ramoni explores the movie’s development, its lively animated title sequence, and the clever ways animation was woven throughout. Gary Gerani goes beyond trivia, offering a fascinating dive into Universal Monster history in an engaging featurette. Gregory W. Mank provides the standout track, packed with cast and crew quotes, production details, and context on where careers stood in 1948. Come in knowing little, leave feeling like a minor expert if you soak up the mountain of information these commentators share.
The Library of Congress preserved this film for good reason. It’s one of the most consistently entertaining comedies of its era—and a wonderfully atmospheric horror film to boot. Few movies have ever balanced tones so effortlessly. Now, you can own the finest version ever released. It belongs in every serious cinephiles library.
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