Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy
Though Bud Abbott's character in this film was named Peter Patterson and Lou Costello's character's name was Freddie Franklin, they addressed each other by their own, real names ("Heeeeey Abbott!") throughout the entire picture. The credits are the only place where their characters' names are used.,When Dr. Zoomer is recording his entry at the point he says 'look there' and is killed he gasps quietly. Yet later when Costello plays back the recording at the point where Dr. Zoomer says 'look there' and is killed there's a loud scream on the recording instead.,Bud Abbott aka Peter Patterson: I overheard Doctor Zoomer say he needed a couple of men to accompany his mummy back to the States.
Lou Costello aka Freddie Franklin: Is she afraid to travel by herself?
Bud Abbott aka Peter Patterson: She? No, Lou. This mummy is a he. What's wrong with that? Some mummies are men, some mummies are women.
Lou Costello aka Freddie Franklin: Such a strange country.,In the final credits, the boys are listed with fake character names. Throughout the movie, they use their real names.,Featured in The World of Abbott and Costello (1965),You Came A Long Way From St. Louis
Written by Bob Russell and John Benson Brooks
Sung by Peggy King,Abbott and Costello meet the Mummy is less of a movie then an episode of the Abbott and Costello show. Marjorie Windsor is a terrifically determined villainess and she helps to give the movie some drama and dark charisma but the movie is too unstructured otherwise. It's more on a final, undisciplined romp for Abbott and Costello. Even though their chemistry is long since gone, they are still brilliant comedians and they fake their way through the movie with a plethora of stand up bits. The good, clean comedy is a nice breath of fresh air. The opening slapstick gets the movie off on a good foot and the stage act (three women and one man) that performs is INCREDIBLE. The cult of Klaris is a major bore, ranging from the incredibly non-Egyptian "Egyptian" Richard Deacon to the cult, itself, that features a man who is clearly either Tibetan or Chinese. The routine that Costello does with the lady is hilarious and high spirted and the bit with the amulet is well timed. The plot point of Costello eating the amulet (in pieces) and then it appearing intact in his stomach is meaningless here as the whole movie is not for purists. The mummy is a major disappointment as the "bandages" look like a pajama outfit with a bandage pattern. Abbott gets into mummy's "wraps" for pretty much no reason other then to have three mummy's running around at one point. As if sensing that this is their last big blowout together, Costello is very natural with his criticisms of Abbott and Abbott seems almost too real with his abuse of Costello. Whatever dysfunction they had in their later years, they do their best here to slug it out. Costello acts like a man ready to jump off ship and he seems to be lightening his load for his journey. He gives a very light and a very funny performance. Abbott is sharper then he has been in years. Abbott was so sharp in his younger days that he looks bad in comparison here but his worst is still better then most people's best. The plot is pretty much garbage and unenthralling and the mummy is completely impotent but the performances of Abbott and Costello and Marie Windsor help move the show.,