The mummy is probably my least favourite classic Universal monster and I don't get the humour of Abbott and Costello (not for want of trying), so I wasn't expecting too much from Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy, the comedy duo's penultimate movie and their last to be produced by Universal. As I expected, this is a dreadfully unfunny outing for the stars, who go through the motions, flogging a few desperate gags for all they're worth by repeating them over and over again (not a great idea when they're not that funny to start with).
The film starts with a bizarre show at the Baghdad Cafe, the performers tumbling and doing stunts on a stage that seems to be twice the size of the seating area (not the most economic use of space for a business). Joining the audience are alliterative pals Pete Patterson (Bud Abbott) and Freddie Franklin (Lou Costello), who need to find a way to make some money so that they can return to America. While taking in the show, the pair overhear Dr. Zoomer (Kurt Katch), exporter of Egyptian artefacts, talking about his latest acquisition, the mummy Klaris (Eddie Parker), and decide to pay the doctor a visit at his home to see if they can find work. Instead, they find Zoomer murdered, and themselves hunted by the killers, who are trying to locate a medallion that will reveal the whereabouts of the treasure of Princess Ara. Hilarity ensues (providing you have the sense of humour of a five year old).
Along the way, Lou sees lots of things that scare him but is unable to convince Bud that they are there (par for the course), we get secret revolving doors and spooky passageways (a staple of the genre), a gag involving the inability to whistle (as seen in every other A&C comedy), several song/dance numbers to pad out the run-time, and characters who dress up as the mummy to allow for much confusion. Gags that are repeated ad infinitum include Lou playing a snake charmer flute and getting scared by the rubbery reptile that emerges, and Lou and Bud trying to pass the cursed medallion to each other inside a burger bun. A skit involving the words 'shovel' and 'pick' is a weak variation on the comedians' own 'Who's on first?' routine.
3.5/10, rounded down to 3 for the totally pointless bat attack and the utterly bizarre giant lizard -- more filler in a film full of it.
The film starts with a bizarre show at the Baghdad Cafe, the performers tumbling and doing stunts on a stage that seems to be twice the size of the seating area (not the most economic use of space for a business). Joining the audience are alliterative pals Pete Patterson (Bud Abbott) and Freddie Franklin (Lou Costello), who need to find a way to make some money so that they can return to America. While taking in the show, the pair overhear Dr. Zoomer (Kurt Katch), exporter of Egyptian artefacts, talking about his latest acquisition, the mummy Klaris (Eddie Parker), and decide to pay the doctor a visit at his home to see if they can find work. Instead, they find Zoomer murdered, and themselves hunted by the killers, who are trying to locate a medallion that will reveal the whereabouts of the treasure of Princess Ara. Hilarity ensues (providing you have the sense of humour of a five year old).
Along the way, Lou sees lots of things that scare him but is unable to convince Bud that they are there (par for the course), we get secret revolving doors and spooky passageways (a staple of the genre), a gag involving the inability to whistle (as seen in every other A&C comedy), several song/dance numbers to pad out the run-time, and characters who dress up as the mummy to allow for much confusion. Gags that are repeated ad infinitum include Lou playing a snake charmer flute and getting scared by the rubbery reptile that emerges, and Lou and Bud trying to pass the cursed medallion to each other inside a burger bun. A skit involving the words 'shovel' and 'pick' is a weak variation on the comedians' own 'Who's on first?' routine.
3.5/10, rounded down to 3 for the totally pointless bat attack and the utterly bizarre giant lizard -- more filler in a film full of it.