Abbott and Costello Meet Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde mixes slapstick and horror, delivering a chaotic, fun adventure with the iconic comedy duo, writes DAVID SAUNDERSON
TITLE: Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
RELEASED: 1953
DIRECTOR: Charles Lamont
CAST: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Boris Karloff, Craig Stevens, Helen Westcott
Review of Abbott and Costello meet Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 1953
A madcap blend of horror and comedy, Abbott and Costello Meet Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 1953 reunites the iconic comedy duo with the world of monsters, this time in foggy Victorian London.
Directed by Charles Lamont, the film features Boris Karloff as the menacing Dr Jekyll, though the humour takes centre stage over the horror.
Slim (Bud Abbott) and Tubby (Lou Costello) are two American police officers sent to London to study local policing methods.
During their visit, they stumble upon the grisly murders of a monstrous figure wreaking havoc across the city.
They don’t know it but the killer is none other than Dr Jekyll (Boris Karloff), who transforms into the brutal Mr Hyde using a sinister serum.
When Jekyll’s affection for his ward, Vicky (Helen Westcott), turns to jealousy after she begins courting reporter Bruce Adams (Craig Stevens), he sets his sights on murder.
Slim and Tubby, always in the wrong place at the wrong time, set out to capture the elusive Mr Hyde, leading to a chaotic series of chases and transformations that only they could bungle with such comedic flair.
The iconic fog-draped streets of London provide an eerie atmosphere, but it’s quickly undercut by the duo’s slapstick antics.
The setting, while dressed with Victorian trimmings, feels more like a Hollywood backlot than historical London. Nevertheless, the atmosphere retains that gothic charm, with Karloff’s brooding Dr. Jekyll adding a sinister touch to the proceedings.
Costello’s Tubby, ever the lovable buffoon, is the heart of the comedy. His jittery panic in the face of danger and Abbott’s deadpan reactions remain a winning formula.
The dynamic between the two is as sharp as ever, with scenes like Tubby’s transformation into a Hyde-like creature being particularly memorable.
While Karloff’s Dr. Jekyll exudes a chilling calmness, the comedic chaos surrounding him never allows the film to dive fully into horror.
Karloff’s Jekyll plays it straight, creating a menacing presence in this slapstick horror, but it’s stuntman Eddie Parker who takes over as Mr Hyde during the action sequences.
The transformation makeup, though not as iconic as Karloff’s previous monster work in Frankenstein or The Mummy, is serviceable for the era.
Hyde’s ape-like appearance adds an animalistic edge to the character, but it’s played more for laughs than frights.
Charles Lamont’s direction keeps the pace brisk, moving swiftly from one gag to the next.
However, the film struggles to balance its comedic and horror elements, with the slapstick often overshadowing any potential for real tension.
Still, for fans of Abbott and Costello’s brand of humour, this is precisely what makes the film enjoyable. The chase sequences, including a memorable romp through a wax museum filled with eerie figures, are classic examples of the duo’s physical comedy.
Historically, this film came near the end of Abbott and Costello’s “monster mash” series, and it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as their earlier Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein 1948.
Still, it’s a solid follow-up, bolstered by Karloff’s commanding presence. Notably, the film was rated “X” in Britain upon its release, likely due to the portrayal of Hyde’s brutality, though by today’s standards, it’s all rather tame.
As a nostalgic piece of horror-comedy history, Abbott and Costello Meet Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a fun, if formulaic, romp.
Fans of the duo will delight in their antics, but those expecting a more balanced horror experience might feel short-changed. Still, for a breezy 77 minutes of monster mayhem and classic laughs, it’s hard to go wrong with this pairing.
While it may not live up to the legendary Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, there’s still plenty of charm here. The combination of Boris Karloff’s eerie Jekyll and the duo’s slapstick guarantees a good time for fans of classic horror-comedy.
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