BOOTLEG FILES 921: “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Full Show) 1984” (Texas-based stage production recorded on video).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: A few problems with copyright infringement.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Nope, sorry.
Last week, this column served up a new AI-fueled parody called “Abbott and Costello Meets the Exorcist.” But when I was watching that video on YouTube, I was alerted there was also a video titled “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Full Show) 1984.” And my reaction to that was an incredulous “What???”
In theory, “Abbott and Costello Meets Frankenstein” is the probably among the worst possible films that could be adapted into a stage show. After all, it is impossible to create a reasonable facsimile of the kinetic energy generated by Abbott and Costello in their prime. Also, the film is a heavily cinematic experience, with funky special effects and one of the best climatic chase scenes ever put on film.
To be honest, I tapped into that video titled “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Full Show) 1984” expecting to throw a strawberry malted at the screen. (And if you get that joke, more power to you!) Instead, I was wildly and happily surprised to enjoy a video record of one of the most delightful stage comedy productions imaginable, which built on the foundation of the 1948 film classic and threw in some jolly touches of its own.
This production was created by the Hip Pocket Theatre of Fort Worth, Texas, which has been in operation since 1976 and is still going strong. According to its website, the Hip Pocket Theatre is one of the oldest independent experimental theaters operating in the United States.
The Hip Pocket Theatre version of “Abbott and Costello Meets Frankenstein” adheres to the foundation of the classic film, but takes liberties in its adaptation that work perfectly with a live audience that is certainly more than familiar with the source material. In this go-round, the sinister aristocrat of Bela Lugosi’s original Dracula interpretation is replaced by a campy character with a faux-Lugosi accent – think of Billy Van’s vampire in “The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.” Lenore Aubert’s continental Dr. Mornay is played like Marilyn Michaels imitating one of the Gabor sisters. Charles Bradstreet’s blandly serious Dr. Stevens in the film is replaced by a takeoff of Jerry Lewis’ Professor Kelp from “The Nutty Professor.”
This show has a “Young Frankenstein” reference when the characters need to knock on a door for entrance – I think you know what joke that is – and the zany chase at the end of the film is replaced with a somewhat different but also hilarious variation of the slamming doors and zigzagging character encounters, including a giant lobster that might be seen as either a tribute to “Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster” or John Waters’ “Multiple Maniacs” (or maybe both?). James Maynard is credited with the adaptation, and he does a fine job in preserving the personality of the film while adding his own flourishes.
Admittedly, the lead actors playing Abbott and Costello come nowhere near the genius of the immortal Bud and Lou. But, hey, who could? John Murphy’s Abbott and Ric Swain’s Costello keep the action moving quickly, and the actors have a fine chemistry that makes this endeavor very entertaining. The laughter from the audience watching this production is strong, and viewing it 41 years after it was staged makes this writer rue that he was not there to see the live show.
I have no idea if the Hip Pocket Theatre cleared the rights to “Abbott and Costello Meets Frankenstein” with Universal Pictures for their stage presentation. I am assuming that rights were not cleared for a video release. Thus, this happy iteration falls into the domain of The Bootleg Files, and hopefully this can fall into your viewing queue!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: While this weekly column acknowledges the presence of rare film and television productions through the so-called collector-to-collector market, this should not be seen as encouraging or condoning the unauthorized duplication and distribution of copyright-protected material, either through DVDs or Blu-ray discs or through postings on Internet video sites.
Listen to Phil Hall’s award-winning podcast “The Online Movie Show with Phil Hall” on SoundCloud and his radio show “Nutmeg Chatter” on WAPJ-FM in Torrington, Connecticut, with a new episode every Sunday. You can also follow his book reviews at The Epoch Times.
Cover photo by Michael Bodycomb.