Abbot and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) dir. Charles Lamont, Universal-International Pictures
Greetings Boils and Ghouls! Society is crumbling and madness takes its toil, but we still have monsters aplenty. As per tradition we start out this year with another version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Edwardian London is in a grip of fear as murders plague the streets. The police are on the case, especially two American cops currently working with the London boys in boy. Slim (Bud Abbot) and Tubby (Lou Costello) aren't exactly making a good impression on their English hosts.
A suffrage demonstration in the park, for example, gets so out of hand Slim and Tubby get arrested along with the women. Also caught up are reporter Bruce Adams (Craig Stevens) and the object of his affections, Vicky Edwards (Helen Wescott). Slim and Tubby get fired while Adams and Vicky get bailed out by Vicky's guardian, Dr. Henry Jekyll (Boris Karloff).
Yes, Dr. Jekyll, famed all over London for his kindness, his generosity, and his charity to the poor. He also sips a potion that turns him into the murderous Mr. Hyde (Eddie Parker) and he's the one doing all the killings.
He's almost finished, but when he sees Adams making eyes at Vicky, well, one more body isn't going to make that much difference. Slim and Tubby, meanwhile, figure that if they can catch the monster they will surely get their jobs back.
Lots of slapstick, although the biggest change is that Jekyll is just as much of a monster as Hyde. An interesting choice but it does take away from the story's point.
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