weezeralfalfa Lou drank one of the potions in Dr. Jekyll's collection, kept in his lab where he experimented with making potions that induced various transformations of people and animals. This potion caused Lou's head to transform into that of a giant mouse. This ability, whether induced by a potion or spell or occurring spontaneously, smacked of witchcraft or magic, thus Dr. Jekyll kept his experiments a secrete. This ability to create chimaeras of animals, including people, is a significant addition to the classic story by R.L. Stevenson. In contrast, in discovering the ability to change himself, physically and morally, into Hyde and vice versa, Jekyll had discovered the opposite: the transformation of a capacity for a mix of moral and amoral thoughts present, if sometimes latently, in every person into 2 distinct personas: one embodying a strictly moral person(Jekyll) and the other a strictly amoral person, such as Hyde, the latter being largely hidden from public view. This ability has a corollary in the real world in drug and alcohol-induced changes in personality, sometimes involving violence, and in multiple personality cases.Rather like in "A&C meet Frankenstein", there are multiple monsters in this film, although most are of the same kind. Sometime after Costello spontaneously transforms from a mouse back into himself, he accidentally is injected with a serum that causes him to transform into a Hyde-like phase. This confuses people, as they think there is only one such monster who seems to be everywhere....In the classic tale, the Hyde phase of Jekyll eventually kills himself in Jekyll's lab, whereas in this film, he apparently accidentally falls from a window to the sidewalk. Like Costello, 4 police and an inspector turn into their versions of Hyde, after having been bitten by Costello in his Hyde-like phase. This reminds us of Dracula or the Wolfman's ability to transfer their persona to others by biting them. Hyde's head looked like a mix of Wolfman and a Chimpanzee, decidedly more monster-like than the impression from reading the original book. Also, his vocalization was like that of an aggressive monster. Batley: Dr. Jekyll's lab assistant was downright creepy looking and acting, reminding me of Frankenstein's monster, being tall, with a scowling scared face, and being silent.At times, A&C exhibit their characteristic slapstick humor, and Lou's frequent mugging. However, there is none of their usual verbal humor. Much time is spent chasing or being chased by Hyde or Lou, especially within buildings or on rooftops. This probably appeals to most children, but not to me. My assessment of this film takes into account the probable reactions of children. Boris Karloff actually only played Dr. Jekyll, even though he is credited with playing Hyde, as well. Stuntman Eddie Packer played Hyde, without being credited! ...Two additional characters were introduced in the persons of Vicky Edwards(Hellen Westcott) and reporter Bruce Adams(Craig Stevens). The latter was sometimes involved in the chase for Hyde. Vicky and Adams were a developing romantic couple, as is found in most A&C films. Vicky was also the object of lust for Jekyll, who would occasionally turn into Hyde and carry her off.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Released in 1953 - This disappointingly unfunny Abbott & Costello comedy would (thankfully) be the second last time where Universal Studios would incorporate one of their famous monsters into the story in hopes that this would generate some much-needed audience interest into its unbelievably weak and almost humourless plot.Set in London, England (during the Edwardian era), this trifle-of-a-movie was basically a repulsively trite romance story that took place between the characters of Bruce Adams (the handsome, dashing, news-reporter) and Vicky Edwards (the pretty, frilly, women's rights activist).Abbott & Costello's roles in this film as Slim & Tubby (2 American cops studying police tactics in London) are only marginal and repeatedly take a back-seat to the story's focus of Bruce & Vicky's tiresome & contrived courting ritual.Veteran actor Boris Karloff also appears in the story as Dr. Jekyll (but not as Mr. Hyde). As well, his role as this kindly, but strange, mad scientist is greatly overshadowed by the absurdity of Bruce & Vicky cooing away to each other like 2 brain-dead lovebirds.With the exception of a couple of "ok" make-up effects and some well-timed slapstick comedy, this dull film clearly missed the mark on all counts (from its humour, to its horror, to its general audience appeal).This badly-conceived picture was clear evidence that, as a comic duo, Abbott & Costello were at the very brink of approaching the absolute nadir of their movie careers.

TheLittleSongbird Not one of their absolute best and inferior, with the feminist subplot being unnecessary and slowing things down a bit and it does try a little too hard for laughs towards the end. It is however one of their better declining years outings and one of their livelier ones as well. It looks handsome and atmospheric, especially the sets though the film is very competently shot as well. The score is appropriately eerie and jaunty, fitting with the creepier and comedic elements very nicely. The dialogue is witty and the gags on the most part do work especially with in the wax museum and rooftop chase scenes. As well as having comedy, there are some foreboding moments too especially with Karloff as Mr Hyde. The film is solidly directed, and the performances are good. Helen Westcott and Craig Stevens are just okay, but Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are still a great double act and their performances are appropriately pitched. Boris Karloff manages to be both hammy and menacing and most effectively, not everybody can succeed in some way making Dr Jekyll almost as sinister as Mr Hyde but Karloff does and remarkably. Overall, very entertaining and while not Abbott and Costello at their best it is worthy. 8/10 Bethany Cox

MartinHafer This is among the best of Abbott and Costello's films because it is so much fun. It also didn't hurt that it is one of their films that combined monsters with comedy--a sure recipe for success. The first of these films, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN happens to be their best film, but followup films with the Invisible Man, the Mummy and Dr. Jekyll were also among their best films.The film begins with Bud and Lou inexplicably working for the London police. Because they are Bud and Lou, they naturally get fired. So, they spend the rest of the movie trying to solve the big case, a serial killer, in order to get back on the force. The trail takes them to Dr. Henry Jekyll (Boris Karloff) and despite his very pleasant demeanor, he's a real jerk. Underneath this nice facade, this incarnation of Jekyll is quite different from versions of the story starring John Barrymore, Frederic March or Spencer Tracy. Unlike these previous versions, Jekyll is truly evil and likes becoming the monster. In other words, he uses this new guise to kill with impunity because he is a horrible person. However, he really looked little like the movie Mr. Hyde when he transformed. Instead of the usual transformation, this time it looks like they used a rubber mask and it looked more like the Frederic March version of Jekyll combined with the Wolf-Man! The main reason to make his so unrecognizable was because this was a very active role (involving a lot of climbing and stunts) and Karloff was simply too old to handle these rigors. Frankly, though Hyde and Jekyll were quite different, this didn't bother me. So what is so good about the film? Well, the most important plus this film has is no singing!! Hallelujah! Too many of Abbott and Costello's films (particularly the early ones) were heavily padded with songs that distracted the audience unnecessarily and added nothing to the plot. Additionally, like many of their best films, this one was plot and character-driven--not a bunch of semi-related vignettes and Vaudeville routines thrown together. In addition it sure didn't hurt that the ending was quite clever and funny as well--leaving the audience laughing as the credits rolled.Overall, a film I'd place in the top five of the Abbott and Costello films. If you really care, and you might, this is how I'd place them in order from best to worst:1. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN 2. WHO DONE IT? 3. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE 4. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE KILLER 5. LITTLE GIANT (yes, I know most people hate this one but I liked it).