Despite being one of the later films in the Abbott and Costello series, it remains one of their most entertaining movies – thanks to a fast-paced plot, a touch of clever scripting here and there and gags which come thick and fast all the way through. The story is as light as ever, involving scheming gangs of nefarious villains, people being chased all over the scenery, lots of secret passages and sarcophagi, a murderous mummy (a pretty poor shambler to be honest) and our duo getting involved in their usual hijinks; namely, Costello seeing all manner of weird and scary stuff, and straight man Abbott missing all the fun each and every time.
Although it's a low budget movie with some unconvincing Egyptian locales, not to mention actors (I guess they got through a fair few tins of boot polish here) there is much to enjoy here. Costello is less irritating than usual and is funny on occasion and more than a few jokes are successful; the dinner-table routine with the cursed medallion is a particular highlight and many moments recall the glory days of vintage comedy, in the Laurel & Hardy era.
The film does have some longeurs, namely the incessant musical interludes – apparently they had to pad the running time out, even though it only clocks in at seventy-five minutes – and supporting talent from a better-than-usual cast, including a young Mel Welles. Cheesy special effects add to the movie's endearingly dated appeal; an animated bat is even worse than the effects in ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN and a plethora of rubber snakes only add to the jokey fun. Made with a tongue firmly in cheek and with gusto from the cast and crew, this is one of the most straightforwardly enjoyable Abbott and Costello films out there.
Although it's a low budget movie with some unconvincing Egyptian locales, not to mention actors (I guess they got through a fair few tins of boot polish here) there is much to enjoy here. Costello is less irritating than usual and is funny on occasion and more than a few jokes are successful; the dinner-table routine with the cursed medallion is a particular highlight and many moments recall the glory days of vintage comedy, in the Laurel & Hardy era.
The film does have some longeurs, namely the incessant musical interludes – apparently they had to pad the running time out, even though it only clocks in at seventy-five minutes – and supporting talent from a better-than-usual cast, including a young Mel Welles. Cheesy special effects add to the movie's endearingly dated appeal; an animated bat is even worse than the effects in ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN and a plethora of rubber snakes only add to the jokey fun. Made with a tongue firmly in cheek and with gusto from the cast and crew, this is one of the most straightforwardly enjoyable Abbott and Costello films out there.