Customer Reviews

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Universal Filmscripts Series Classic Comedies, Vol 1)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For years.The fans of Abbott & Costello wanted to find out how their most famous film parody of horror movies"Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein!"came about.A few books have come to light in recent years:"Movie Comedy Teams"by Leonard Maltin,"The Abbott & Costello Book"By Jim Mullholland and:"Abbott & Costello In Hollywood!"by Ron Palumbo & Bob Furnemack.Now..As a companion to These three manuscripts is the paperback edition of the film's script.Film historian Phil Riley has found an early draft of the script that shows us all scenes and dialogue that never appeared in the final release print:"Oh Oh! And Up Pops The Devil","You're not going to leave me with all of this work"."You're not suppose to throw away all of that fat wasite".etc in terms of the film's dialogue.There is one scene that was never used in the film and sadly.It prohibieted Poor Lou from using his improvational skills as a true movie clown.The scene has "Dracula"(Bela Lugosi)using his hyponotic powers to lure poor"Wilber Brown"(Costello)back into the castle for the brain transplaint.Lou keeps trying to run away.But the power of the evil vampire's spell is so strong that he is constantly being pulled back into the castle via the cave entrance.He finds a rock and sits there."Dracula"(Bela) by now is getting madder than hell! And he says to "Wilber"(Lou)"I Said Come Back!"."Wilber Brown"sits on the rock and says"'No! I'm sitting right here and I'm not going back!".Until both Lou and the rock are zipped back into the cave and into the evil clutches of "Dracula"(Bele Lugosi) and "Dr.Sandra Morney"(Lenore Aubert).The book also shows some photos from the film and some wonderful behind the scenes candid pictures from the cast members,the film's director(Charlie Barton),The film's producer(Bob Arthur)and Dialogue Director(Norman Abbott..Bud's newphew)and the members of the Abbott & Costello families.There are also some thoughts about the making of the film from the team's family members and the true story of how this classic parody was conceived and filmed by the book's author:Mr.Riley.For fans of horror movies and for fans of classic comedy movies.This is one book to have in your collection.Bravo Phil! Kevin S.Butler.

This is a great treasure for Abbott and Costello fans as well as Chaney, Lugosi, or Universal fans. The pictures alone are worth the price of the book. The script is still titled "The Brain of Frankenstein" and includes deleted scenes which further add to the story. As someone who has seen the film many times the added info gives new insights as to the characters performances.

Classic horror film stars meet legendery comic duo make for great film and great book. behind the scenes info with rare photographs and insight into the relationships with all protagonist's. Also critic's reviews and posters and billboards from the orginal time of film's release.

Bud and Lou battle Dracula and Frankenstein with help from the Wolfman. Dracula wants Wilbur's (Lou) brain for the monster because he wants to make sure the monster is super dumb. Wilbur and Chick (Bud) work as shipping clerks and are tasked to deliver the "supposed" remains of the Frankenstein monster and Dracula to a wax museum. When the two monsters escape, Chick and Wilbur are blamed.

The one person who believes them is Lawrence Talbot but it appears that everytime he is trying to help there is a full moon. There are many laugh out loud funny parts to this gem that brings together Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price and Glenn Strange in one film. A timeless classic.

For those familiar with The Munsters Television's First Family of Fright written by Stephen Cox, this Abbott and Costello book follows a loosely similar format. At least for the first part of the book. Printed on standard book paper with information about the cast, crew, how this movie came to be, and what happened during filming. Lots of photos and theatrical poster art. All in Black and White. There's even a three page section of reprinted newspaper articles. Magnifying glass or eyes like Superman required. The infamous story about the previous treatment where Bud and Lou are on a ship and the Monsters are brought to life by food is not mentioned at all in this book. As for the script itself (the bigger part of the book), don't try to read along as you try to listen to the movie. It follows the basic premise of the finished product. But there are enough changes that all you'll get is flustered if you try. The current lowest sale price is nearly double the price of $19.95 printed on the back of the book. I guess increased price is due to rarity. I think it would be really wonderful if this book was revised in the same fashion Stephen Cox was able to revise his Munsters book with A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane. Think about this Glenn Strange was the last actor to portray the Frankenstein Monster with the famous iconic look of tall, dark suit, flattop head with hair, and bolts in neck, in a serious manner before Fred Gwynne got the role of Herman Munster. And when the series began you can notice how Gwynne's make-up started off with the Karloff look and slowly evolved into the Strange look. Glenn that is.

a great book with nice pictures and stories. i'm afraid the script printed didn't match what the actors' were saying. however, i still enjoyed the movie. this classic will live on forever. laugh & enjoy. ****