Movie Info
Movie Name: Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy
Studio: Universal Pictures
Genre(s): Comedy/Horror
Release Date(s): June 23, 1955
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Universal might be letting us go, but the Mummy isn’t
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello learn of the Tomb of Princess Ara which allegedly guarded by the mummy Klaris. When they are blamed for the death of Dr. Gustav Zoomer (Kurt Katch), they end up with the sacred medallion that allegedly can show the location of the treasure. With the mummy restored to life and everyone trying to kill them, Abbott and Costello must discover the treasure to clear their names.
Directed by Charles Lamont, Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (or Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Mummy) was Abbott and Costello’s final Universal Picture (there was a compilation film call The World of Abbott and Costello which was released in 1965). The movie followed Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops also in 1955.
Are you my mummy?
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy is the end of the line for the comedy duo. With years of films behind them, this movie marks the end of a partnership with the studio. Unfortunately, this film pretty half-baked and isn’t their best.
The story of Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy is quite weak. It isn’t that Abbott and Costello movies are very heavy on plot, but other films like Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man or Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde do a better job bringing the random characters together. Here, the mummy almost seems like an afterthought and the plot takes too long to get going without enough laughs.
I don’t like you like that Mr. Mummy…
Abbott and Costello also seem to just be going through the motions as well. Despite being credited as Peter and Freddie, their characters are just Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Their physical comedy and time is still strong, but things like the sandwich switch just aren’t as charming in this movie as other films.
The mummy has never been one of my favorite Universal monsters so I can’t say I am too impressed by the visuals of the film. The mummy’s name was switched from Kharis to Klaris and it is played by Eddie Parker…but the look the movie remains the same.
Abbott and Costello are classics and Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy is one of the more popular classics simply due to the mash-up of the characters. It isn’t one of my favorite Abbott and Costello movies and if you have to see one of their comedies, you should probably stick to Frankenstein or the Invisible Man. Abbott and Costello were finished at Universal but made one more film together in Dance with Me, Henry for United Artists before completely ending their partnership (and Lou’s death in 1959).
Preceded By:
Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955)
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