Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Released Date: August 1, 1953
Director: Charles Lamont
Actors: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Boris Karloff, Craig Stevens, Helen Westcott, Reginald Denny, John Dierkes, Jimmy Aubrey, Wilson Benge, and Marjorie Bennett
I have heard before that Boris Karloff did not want to work with Abbott and Costello because their movies were comedy and he was a more serious actor. Usually playing killers, Karloff told them no for many of their other "meet" movies. But because they were so popular, Karloff said okay and decided to work with the duo. This is the first time, however, that Dr. Jekyll was okay to turn into Mr. Hyde. The other Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde movies had made the Doctor out to be a good guy who happens to turn evil after using his own medicine. In this movie, you can see Dr. Jekyll actually taking the medicine so he can murder. Pretty evil huh? And enough scary to make you wonder if this is suppose to be a comedy. Well no worries, it is. You will also take note at the fact that after Boris Karloff turns into Mr. Hyde and the transformation sequence is over, with hair mind you, another person is playing Boris Karloff's character. The man is Eddie Parker, a stuntman.
When the movie begins, we can see a murder happen, and then to a group of ladies that are fighting for rights. To be able to vote, which seems history but in actuality, it was not that long ago. Vicky Edwards (Helen Westcott) is the main speaker and is very excited to be the head of women's suffrage. After a huge fight, we then see our favorite comedians as they are police officers trying to stop this huge fight. Slim (Bud Abbott) and Tubby (Lou Costello) are getting hit on the head and slapped around by woman. And who is to say that woman can't vote? While everyone is in jail, even Slim and Tubby, Vicky is very talkative with a newspaper man, Bruce Adams (Craig Stevens). Dr. Henry Jekyll (Boris Karloff) is not happy when he sees his goddaughter talking with another man. Even though he is much older, you can tell he has jealousy on his face. That is when we see Mr. Hyde come alive. Can you imagine the jealousy when Bruce asks Vicky to marry him? BIG trouble. Also, Tubby and Slim get to see Dr. Jekyll's secret lab and nobody believes them. Which can be both hilarious and upsetting as we the audience know the truth. We do get to see Lou Costello as a mouse, wanting cheese very badly. And a lot of great jokes are in store for you. This is my favorite Abbott and Costello "meet" somebodies. As this is a true classic.
Released Date: August 1, 1953
Director: Charles Lamont
Actors: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Boris Karloff, Craig Stevens, Helen Westcott, Reginald Denny, John Dierkes, Jimmy Aubrey, Wilson Benge, and Marjorie Bennett
I have heard before that Boris Karloff did not want to work with Abbott and Costello because their movies were comedy and he was a more serious actor. Usually playing killers, Karloff told them no for many of their other "meet" movies. But because they were so popular, Karloff said okay and decided to work with the duo. This is the first time, however, that Dr. Jekyll was okay to turn into Mr. Hyde. The other Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde movies had made the Doctor out to be a good guy who happens to turn evil after using his own medicine. In this movie, you can see Dr. Jekyll actually taking the medicine so he can murder. Pretty evil huh? And enough scary to make you wonder if this is suppose to be a comedy. Well no worries, it is. You will also take note at the fact that after Boris Karloff turns into Mr. Hyde and the transformation sequence is over, with hair mind you, another person is playing Boris Karloff's character. The man is Eddie Parker, a stuntman.
When the movie begins, we can see a murder happen, and then to a group of ladies that are fighting for rights. To be able to vote, which seems history but in actuality, it was not that long ago. Vicky Edwards (Helen Westcott) is the main speaker and is very excited to be the head of women's suffrage. After a huge fight, we then see our favorite comedians as they are police officers trying to stop this huge fight. Slim (Bud Abbott) and Tubby (Lou Costello) are getting hit on the head and slapped around by woman. And who is to say that woman can't vote? While everyone is in jail, even Slim and Tubby, Vicky is very talkative with a newspaper man, Bruce Adams (Craig Stevens). Dr. Henry Jekyll (Boris Karloff) is not happy when he sees his goddaughter talking with another man. Even though he is much older, you can tell he has jealousy on his face. That is when we see Mr. Hyde come alive. Can you imagine the jealousy when Bruce asks Vicky to marry him? BIG trouble. Also, Tubby and Slim get to see Dr. Jekyll's secret lab and nobody believes them. Which can be both hilarious and upsetting as we the audience know the truth. We do get to see Lou Costello as a mouse, wanting cheese very badly. And a lot of great jokes are in store for you. This is my favorite Abbott and Costello "meet" somebodies. As this is a true classic.
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