Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE MUMMY (Universal-International, 1955), directed by Charles T. Lamont, is true to its title for a change, considering the comedy team of Abbott and Costello actually using their own names instead of what's listed in the closing credits, Bud Abbott as Pete Patterson and Lou Costello as Freddie Franklin. Although they do encounter the 4,000 year old mummy, he's hardly in the story until the final 20 minutes or so. Following the tradition of "Abbott and Costello Meet" titles and the cycle of fright comedies that all began when they met "Frankenstein" (1948), with Dracula and the Wolf Man as added bonuses, followed by them meeting "The Invisible Man" (1951), all of which they enact character names, their venture with the Mummy was, in fact, long overdue, coming very late in the cycle, yet released at a time when the team was in need of something better than the weak comedies they've been turning out in recent years. With Universal finding great success with its "Francis the Talking Mule" and the "Ma and Pa Kettle" series in the 1950s, it appears that Universal kept Abbott and Costello on payroll longer than anticipated. As it appears, "Meet the Mummy," demonstrated, too late in fact, that they were still capable of making a good comedy, even when appearing opposite a Universal monster to do it.

The monster in question is a mummy named Kharis, now renamed Klaris. Unlike the film series of the 1940s, there's no Tana leaves, no flashbacks recalling how Kharis was condemned to death, buried alive and cursed for all eternity, nor is there a high priest assigning or swearing in another to guide the mummy to murder anyone who gets in his way. In this venture, the story begins with this narration, "It has been said that a man's best friend is his mummy. In Egypt today, this theory is to be in great dispute for two bold adventurers are about to discover a new kind of mummy." The two bold adventurers in question turn out to be Abbott and Costello, a couple of stranded Americans in Egypt (there's no explanation as to how they got there and why). In the opening segment set at the Cafe Bagdad where an Apache Dance is being performed, archaeologist Dr. Gustav Zuma (Kurt Katch) is interviewed by the press for his discovery of the tomb of Klaris, the sacred medallion leading to the valuable treasure, and his anticipation in hiring a couple of trustees to act as chaperons for Klaris's venture back to the United States. His interview is overheard by a Bud and Lou, who learn that the only way for them to return home is to take the job. When they come to meet with Dr. Zoomer for the job in his hotel room, they find he's been murdered (killed by a poisoned dart in his ear) and the mummy in his possession gone. More troubles arise when Abbott is accused of the murder, thanks to Costello's blunder in picture taking that has found its way in the newspapers. Costello unwittingly holds the medallion, believed to be cursed, leading to the dual's encounter with rival villains: Madame Rontru (Marie Windsor), her henchmen, Charlie (Michael Ansara) and Josef (Dan Seymour); and "Professor" Semu (Richard Deacon), leader of the Followers of Klaris, and his associates, Iben (Mel Welles) and Habid (George Khoury), who will stop at nothing to obtain the medallion. Taking Abbott and Costello with them to the ancient pyramid where the treasure is buried, they come across numerous surprises, including the mummy (Eddie Parker), who's alive and well.

Typical Abbott and Costello comedy with the team coming off best with their familiar comedy routines, whether they'd be old, new or indifferent. Costello continues to be the master of comic timing with his frightful expressions (yelling "Hey, Abbott!") while encountering a bat, skeleton in the closet, a giant lizard, a run-on gag involving an asp, and, of course, the Mummy. Abbott and Costello offer some fine comic exchanges ("The shovel and the pick" coming off best), with fine support by comic villains, especially femme fatale Marie Windsor. The big climax occurs with Abbott and Charlie going under wraps as the mummy, leading to a merry chase around the temple. Aside from all that, the script takes time for entertainer Peggy King to sing "You Came a Long Way from St. Louis," and some Egyptian dance numbers performed by The Mazzone-Abbott Dancers. With some gags ranging from good to silly, with portions of the story not making any sense at all, this Abbott and Costello venture is sure to guarantee laughter for children and devotees of the comedy team. who, with this comedy, have ended their 15 year association with Universal Pictures. They starred in one more film together in 1956 before parting company.

One final note: Eddie Parker's Klaris is no way related or parallel to Lon Chaney Jr.'s Kharis of the 1940s. Kharis was mute with one eye exposed while Klaris roared like a lion with his face nearly exposed with limited bandages around his body, looking like something purchased from a bargain basement store. Overall, a one piece rubber suit or rejected Halloween costume. Aside from these flaws, the movie gets by, with Abbott and Costello, older but not wiser, doing what they do best.

Formerly presented on Comedy Channel (1990s); American Movie Classics (2001-02) and later Turner Classic Movies (2004-05), "Meet the Mummy" can be found in either VHS or DVD formats, compliments of Universal Home Video. Happy Mummy's Day. (**)

Considering how late in their career this came, and how lame some of its predecessors were, this one is not too bad. And it's a joy to see some of the wordplay they were famous for make a welcome return amidst the routine slapstick. Sure, "Take your pick" "The shovel is my pick" is not on the same level as "Who's On First?", but it's still amusing enough, and it's fun to see them deal with one last Universal monster. 6/10

This is the last hurrah for Universal Pictures from the dynamic duo of Bud & Lou. Tho the film finds them long past their best, with the overall material having to be severely stretched to sustain a feature length movie, it does however have some merit. The plot sees the lads mixed up in a murder mystery with an Egyptian cult. Cue lots of Mummy like staple scenario's as our bumbling duo bluster their way thru by luck more than any sort of guile. In the hands of lesser comedians this production would have sank without trace, but such is the vibrancy and comedic knowing of the pair the film at least remains watchable to the end. It may well find them on auto-pilot, but a couple of scenes show why they were such well loved comedians. With medallion hamburgers and a triple whammy of Mummies for the typically frenetic finale, the movie, if not even close to doing justice to their great careers, does remain engaging and thankfully stays above average. 6/10

Bud and Lou are two down and out adventurers in Egypt struggling to get some quick cash for a trip back home. They learn that a certain Dr. Zoomer has recently unearthed the mummy known as Klaris, "the Prince of Evil", and requires two good men to help him transport it back to the states. But before they can volunteer their services, Zoomer is murdered by two devoted followers of Klaris. Abbott and Costello then become absorbed in a three-way tug of war to secure the mummy and possess a sacred medallion which could lead to the discovery of the tomb of Princess Ara and her treasure in the bargain. Also competing for the prize is the dangerous Madame Rontru (played by sultry Marie Windsor) and her two henchmen (one played by Michael Ansara). But the Cult of Klaris (headed by Richard Deacon, who seems bland and awkward in this role) is determined to intervene and reclaim the mummy and the medallion of Princess Ara for themselves and preserve the legend.

This was the next-to-final film for the aging Abbott and Costello, but yet it works decently considering this late period. The crazy plot helps to create some humorous shenanigans including a classic routine where Lou accidentally eats the sacred medallion hidden inside his hamburger, and another where he gets frustrated telling Abbott to "take his pick", yet Bud keeps choosing to dig with a shovel. The murder of Dr. Zoomer and the attempt by the killers to hide the corpse allows Costello another chance to go through his "disappearing bodies" shtick, though it's better done here with less repetition than it was in ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET THE KILLER. Both comedians are in great form throughout this comedy, and they're given some funny lines steadily throughout the picture (BUD: "How stupid can you get?" LOU: "How stupid do you want me to be"?)

For monster movie fans, it's something of a letdown. The mummy Klaris (one wonders if this name was intentional or an error by the writers if they really meant him to be the same "Kharis" as in the 1940s mummy series) does not appear very often, and he's pretty poor looking; his bandaged carcass looks more like an over-sized pair of white pajamas, and his mushy face resembles a left-over egg roll. Klaris is played by Edwin Parker, a stuntman from back in the heyday of the classic Universal monster films who used to stand in as Frankenstein's monster, the Wolf Man and even "Kharis" himself.

**1/2 out of ****

This was the last feature for Universal that the two box office champs of the 40s did. Having met Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman, Dr. Jekyll, Mr Hyde, and the Invisible Man...Universal paired the two comedians with their mummy for one last go-round. The effort is not entirely satisfying, yet all together bad either. Bud and Lou seek their fortunes in Egypt when brought into a circle of intrigue, murder, and a curse of a mummy. The rest of the film centers around their bumbling, situational comedy, and a couple of dance hall numbers. The sets are pretty good, but the make-up for the mummy is definitely sub-par for the studio that brought us The Mummy in 1932. Richard Deacon stands out in a supporting role. Some pleasant scenes involve Bud and Lou playing hide-go-seek with a dead body(much like was done in A&C Meet the Killer), a trio of mummies treading through a hidden fortress, and a routine of Bud and Lou playing revolving hamburgers. Not their best to be sure, but sure to bring a smile to you.