Abbott And Costello Meet The Mummy (1955)

It's a shame that Abbott and Costello kept making a number of movies after their peak years were already fading fast behind them but there were still fun moments for fans to take from each of their films. And, despite the dismissal it gets by many film lovers, I think that this movie sees A & C end their days making films for Universal on a bit of a high note. It's still quite a bit below their best work but there are a number of great set-pieces here that work like a charm.

The plot, as if you couldn't figure it out, sees the two men getting mixed up with a lively mummy. There is more than a little scheming, there's a murder and there's an extra complication when Lou eats a medallion that many people want to get their hands on.

John Grant is back on writing duties (as usual) and Charles Lamont is directing again for this flimsy bit of fun. From an opening sequence that showcases some absolutely, jaw-droppingly, great "Apache" dancing to a fun skit involving A & C being unnerved by a dead body to the moments that lead up to the medallion being eaten to the argument that stems from Bud "taking his pick" and opting for a spade, there are plenty of enjoyable moments from beginning to end.

Everything comes to a temporary halt for Peggy King to sing the pretty dire "You Came A Long Way From St. Louis" but it gets right back on track again soon after. Marie Windsor, Kurt Katch, Richard Deacon and a bandaged Eddie Parker provide a mixed bag of support but this A & C movie is just like most of the other A & C movies, at its best when the two leads are onscreen and sparking off each other.

Fans of The Mummy, as one of the classic Universal monsters, may be upset by the fact that the character isn't ever really portrayed as a real threat but fans of Bud and Lou should find this a worthwhile viewing.

6/10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abbott-Costello-Meet-Frankenstein-Mummy/dp/B000GKHM28/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343845725&sr=8-1

Abbott & Costello Meet The Keystone Cops (1955)

This may not be a terrible movie but it's clear that at this stage of their career, Abbott and Costello were way past their best. There are no BIG laughs here, instead the film throws in a number of comedic stunt sequences. Those moments are enjoyable enough but just not what I want to see in an A & C film. I want the wit, the confusing wordplay and the great blend of stupid and smart that the boys do so well.

The plot sees our two leads swindled out of $5,000 dollars (they buy a movie studio that turns out to be the old Edison studio, not in use and not for sale) by a man who then heads to Hollywood to pass himself off as a talented European director. Once they realise the con, Bud and Lou go on a journey to find the man and get their money back. That journey ends up getting them inadvertently involved in the movie business and leads to the titular meeting with the famous Keystone Cops.

Directed by Charles Lamont, and written by John Grant (based on a storyline by Lee Loeb), there is certainly more to this movie than just the usual buffoonery and money-chasing antics. Many moments throughout the film actually look at the wonder of the cinema screen and the inclusion of the Keystone Cops should also clue you in to the fact that this is a bit of a celebration of the development of slapstick and comedy routines in the movies.

Bud and Lou are still amusing enough when not being stuck in the middle of too many special effects and stunts, Fred Clark is good fun as the conman, Lynn Bari is his lovely accomplice and there's a nice cameo from Mack Sennett before that third act that finally brings in the Keystone Cops.

While it's not a great comedy, nor is it a great A & C film, there's a nice warmth in this movie and an affection for the works of those who started off before sound was developed and helped to shape some great sequences that would entertain cinema audiences.

5/10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abbott-Costello-Foreign-Legion-Keystone/dp/B000H5V9H6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343343205&sr=8-1

Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (1953)

Charles Lamont returns to direct Abbott and Costello in this lesser outing that sees the duo meeting up with the legendary figure of horror. The plot is very slim, it's essentially summed up in the title, and the movie suffers by not actually having Bud and Lou onscreen for large durations of the runtime.

Bud and Lou are two police officers who get themselves in a bit of trouble when they're embarrassed by some protesting suffragettes. Perhaps they'll be able to get themselves back in the good books if they find and apprehend the monster responsible for terrorising London. That monster isn't always a monster, however, and so the duo don't realise how close they are to the villain when they meet the very civil Mr. Hyde (Boris Karloff).

It's weak, there's no denying that it's weak, but there are still a few good moments scattered throughout this A & C adventure. The script by Lee Loeb and John Grant may be light on laughs but there's at least one great set-piece that involves Lou being unwittingly transformed and the finale is a fun mix of thrills and amusing confusion.

The leading men are good when onscreen but, as mentioned above, that's really not often enough. Craig Stevens and Helen Westcott are acceptable enough in their supporting roles but things improve whenever Boris Karloff is onscreen, making this worth a watch if you're a fan of the horror icon (he gets more to work with here than he did in his last appearance alongside the boys).

Some fans of the duo had already written them off by this point but their last few movies still contain enough entertainment if you've been on the journey with A & C over the years and remained a fan of their style and routines.

5/10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abbott-Costello-Meet-Killer-Jekyll/dp/B000H7ZZH4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342632411&sr=8-1