User Reviews

Considering how late in their career this came, and how lame some of its predecessors were, this one is not too bad. And it's a joy to see some of the wordplay they were famous for make a welcome return amidst the routine slapstick. Sure, "Take your pick" "The shovel is my pick" is not on the same level as "Who's On First?", but it's still amusing enough, and it's fun to see them deal with one last Universal monster. 6/10

When the murder of an archaeologist puts a valuable medallion into their hands, Abbott and Costello waste little time in trying to sell it--only to find themselves pursued by police, a slinky adventuress, an Egyptian high priest, and the mummy himself. The concept is amusing, but the real charm of any Abbott and Costello film is the charismatic comic interplay between the stars. Unfortunately, the 1955 MEET THE MUMMY finds the two at a creative low ebb.

Featuring such notable character actors as Richard Deacon and Marie Windsor, the film is competently made and very easy to watch, but to say it lacks the inspiration of Abbott and Costello's best work would be a tremendous understatement. At most, MEET THE MUMMY is mildly amusing in a broadly slapstick sort of way, good for an occasional chuckle at best. It would be their last film at Universal and their next-to-last screen appearance together, so it might be best regarded as a fond farewell.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Bud and Lou are two down and out adventurers in Egypt struggling to get some quick cash for a trip back home. They learn that a certain Dr. Zoomer has recently unearthed the mummy known as Klaris, "the Prince of Evil", and requires two good men to help him transport it back to the states. But before they can volunteer their services, Zoomer is murdered by two devoted followers of Klaris. Abbott and Costello then become absorbed in a three-way tug of war to secure the mummy and possess a sacred medallion which could lead to the discovery of the tomb of Princess Ara and her treasure in the bargain. Also competing for the prize is the dangerous Madame Rontru (played by sultry Marie Windsor) and her two henchmen (one played by Michael Ansara). But the Cult of Klaris (headed by Richard Deacon, who seems bland and awkward in this role) is determined to intervene and reclaim the mummy and the medallion of Princess Ara for themselves and preserve the legend.

This was the next-to-final film for the aging Abbott and Costello, but yet it works decently considering this late period. The crazy plot helps to create some humorous shenanigans including a classic routine where Lou accidentally eats the sacred medallion hidden inside his hamburger, and another where he gets frustrated telling Abbott to "take his pick", yet Bud keeps choosing to dig with a shovel. The murder of Dr. Zoomer and the attempt by the killers to hide the corpse allows Costello another chance to go through his "disappearing bodies" shtick, though it's better done here with less repetition than it was in ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET THE KILLER. Both comedians are in great form throughout this comedy, and they're given some funny lines steadily throughout the picture (BUD: "How stupid can you get?" LOU: "How stupid do you want me to be"?)

For monster movie fans, it's something of a letdown. The mummy Klaris (one wonders if this name was intentional or an error by the writers if they really meant him to be the same "Kharis" as in the 1940s mummy series) does not appear very often, and he's pretty poor looking; his bandaged carcass looks more like an over-sized pair of white pajamas, and his mushy face resembles a left-over egg roll. Klaris is played by Edwin Parker, a stuntman from back in the heyday of the classic Universal monster films who used to stand in as Frankenstein's monster, the Wolf Man and even "Kharis" himself.

**1/2 out of ****

This was the last feature for Universal that the two box office champs of the 40s did. Having met Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman, Dr. Jekyll, Mr Hyde, and the Invisible Man...Universal paired the two comedians with their mummy for one last go-round. The effort is not entirely satisfying, yet all together bad either. Bud and Lou seek their fortunes in Egypt when brought into a circle of intrigue, murder, and a curse of a mummy. The rest of the film centers around their bumbling, situational comedy, and a couple of dance hall numbers. The sets are pretty good, but the make-up for the mummy is definitely sub-par for the studio that brought us The Mummy in 1932. Richard Deacon stands out in a supporting role. Some pleasant scenes involve Bud and Lou playing hide-go-seek with a dead body(much like was done in A&C Meet the Killer), a trio of mummies treading through a hidden fortress, and a routine of Bud and Lou playing revolving hamburgers. Not their best to be sure, but sure to bring a smile to you.

This was the boys last picture for Universal. Actually it is better than some of the prior ones.

It has a better supporting cast than some with Marie Windsor & Richard Deacon. It has a better drawn story line than others too, as the script almost gets the idea right.

For the first time in many pictures, it has some of Abbott & Costellos better comic dialog which had been missing for several films. It includes the crisp "take your pick" routine and it is a breath of fresh air for the first time in a while.

There is a clever sequence where A & C pull a clever escape using some stunts that are cleverly done. There is a little music but it is not as obtrusive as some previous films. Overall, this is just slightly below their best films, much better than their worst ones.

This is the last hurrah for Universal Pictures from the dynamic duo of Bud & Lou. Tho the film finds them long past their best, with the overall material having to be severely stretched to sustain a feature length movie, it does however have some merit. The plot sees the lads mixed up in a murder mystery with an Egyptian cult. Cue lots of Mummy like staple scenario's as our bumbling duo bluster their way thru by luck more than any sort of guile. In the hands of lesser comedians this production would have sank without trace, but such is the vibrancy and comedic knowing of the pair the film at least remains watchable to the end. It may well find them on auto-pilot, but a couple of scenes show why they were such well loved comedians. With medallion hamburgers and a triple whammy of Mummies for the typically frenetic finale, the movie, if not even close to doing justice to their great careers, does remain engaging and thankfully stays above average. 6/10

Overhearing an expedition to a new tomb, Egypt-based archaeologists come across a cult of worshippers intending to keep a secret regarding the resurrection properties and must return the secret to the mummy's tomb before other parties get a hold of it.

While not the travesty many claim it is, it is still one of the better ones Abbott and Costello have done. Like so many of their efforts, a lot of this one is based on the hilarity that ensues when mixing their brand of slapstick comedy and wordplay around the classic monster mayhem as there are a lot of gags in here that do work. The early dead-body discovery is a gut-buster, the amulet in a hamburger- switch sequence is a justifiable classic routine and other similar silly scenes are spread throughout the movie that are just as hilarious, including several snake-charming scenes and some humorous physical gags at the beginning. The usual humor of the team is on full display here, and it should be pleasing for fans of the group. There is quite a rapid pace to this, and it flies by without any real problems here with the gags come at a nice enough pace so that it never really slows down. The ending is complete madcap insanity, and provides some great laughs as well as being one of the best creative series of sequences in their history. It's one of their most impressive scenes, and is the highlight of the movie with everything coming together with a couple of nice suspenseful scenes mixed along for a little horror to the comedic proceedings. This isn't as bad as it could've been, though there's a few flaws here. Most of what's wrong here is mostly just budgetary concerns. The sets look cheap and small, the locations are pretty much hampered by lack of design, and most of the time it looks dreary. When everything should look big and grand, they instead come as looking like cheap sets on a back-lot that were hastily filmed to get it out in a hurry as there's never a sense anywhere that they're at a large place. The mummy costume as well looks incredibly bad as it's a far cry from the wonderful look of the original and isn't scary in the slightest looking exactly like moldy bandages wrapped up. They don't even cover his entire body, as there are several spots missing that weren't covered. It only elicits laughter when viewed and doesn't even get featured as often as it really should've with so much of the film spent on their madcap adventures instead of the horror. That causes this to spend a large portion of time waiting around to actually get to the tomb with it spending all this time on their antics instead. Still, this one is a lot of fun.

Today's Rating/PG: Violence.

One of the final entries in the Abbott and Costello film series, "...Meet the Mummy" is far from prime A & C, but it's still lively and reasonably funny if you're into this sort of humour. Obviously their routines were no longer fresh, but they're still in fine form, and they're assisted by a good supporting cast. Some of the slapstick is still amusing, as well as the wordplay associated with A & C. Add to that secret passageways, and a conniving villainess (ever foxy Marie Windsor), and you have an entertaining comedy.

Bud is Pete Patterson and Lou is Freddie Franklin, two schmucks in Egypt who get the bright idea to accompany a mummy named Klaris (stuntman Eddie Parker) back to the States. But they end up accused of murder, and trying to dodge the enticing Windsor and her henchmen (Michael Ansara, Dan Seymour), while a cult leader (notable character actor Richard Deacon), who commands the followers of Klaris, has his own agenda.

While the comedy here may not be inspired, for this viewer it still elicited some modest chuckles. Lou terminally has bad luck when it comes to "snake charming", Bud does the "climbing the rope" routine, and you get a shell game (admittedly one that goes on too long) as both Bud and Lou try to avoid being in possession of a cursed amulet. Granted, some material was still pointless - a lady named Peggy King belts out one number that sort of stops the movie cold, and the business with the French entertainer goes nowhere.

The last A & C feature for Universal, and their penultimate vehicle overall, "...Meet the Mummy" can be funny at times, but it's more for undemanding viewers rather than their die hard fans.

Six out of 10.

For their final film with Universal Studios Bud Abbott and Lou Costello visit Egypt and get themselves in one beautiful mess where the police think Abbott murdered Kurt Katch and both of them get caught between two rival gangs.

The first is the cult of Klaris, an ancient mummy buried alive and still alive through many incarnations at Universal in the horror film days and a gang of treasure hunters headed by Marie Windsor doing a poor girl's Gale Sondergaard imitation. Marie is so much better in modern noir films. Her henchmen are the well cast Michael Ansara and Dan Seymour, a menacing pair as ever graced the screen.

Richard Deacon plays the cult leader, an archeology professor by day and a high priest of the ancient Egyptian religion by night. I take my hat off to him for keeping an absolutely straight face through some of this insanity.

A&C sad to say were getting old and tired. In those last few films Abbott was developing as big a paunch as Costello. The team was running out of gas and Universal was now pushing to the forefront such young juvenile stars as Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis who were the big breadwinners for the studio the way Abbott&Costello were in the previous decade.

There were still a few laughs left in them yet. In fact Abbott in this one is almost as much a target for the physical comedy as Costello. Best bit is towards the end when Abbott and Ansara both disguised in mummy bandages meet the real Klaris.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy is nowhere near the kind of sparkle these two had in their films for Universal in the early Forties. Sad that their time had passed.

A lot better than the invisible man movie, at lest they are more active in this movie. The two bumbling idiots are basically running from their mummy. Costello is hilarious in this movie not short after the invisible man which the comedy was more implied and not too much scripted. This movie is a riot to the classic duo. The tomb diggers find a mummy that has a surprise to go on the chase controlled by the women to get the two goofs who saw too much. If you liked abbott and costello meet the werewolf, you'll like this movie. The great era of Abbott and Costello bring laughs and side splitting humor in this classic movie

Abbott and Costello get mixed-up with tomb robbers, a dead archaeologist, and a cult of mummy worshipers in this, their last of the Meet the Universal monster films. Growing-up, I thought A&C was the height of comedy gold. I couldn't wait for this movie to appear on the local television listings. Not being 7 anymore, I realize now how unoriginal and tired much of the comedy in A&C Meet the Mummy is. Most of the comedy had been done before and better. For example, the "The Shovel is My Pick" skit is an obvious and inferior rip of their "Who's On First?" bit. So even though my brain tells me the movie probably isn't as good as the 6/10 rating I've given it, there's no counting for nostalgic value in things like this.

As a 7 year old, my favorite bit in the movie (and it still is today) is the whole notion of three mummies (one real, two fake) running around the tomb. I still chuckle to myself at the scene where the three mummies back into each other.

Also, I get a real kick out of Richard Deacon (best known for playing Mel Cooley on The Dick Van Dyke Show) as the leader of the mummy cult, Semu, playing it straight instead of for laughs. I can't think of a more unlikely casting decision.

A formulistic entry into the Abbott and Costello Meet... series. Lou sees moving corpses, hidden passageways, etc., while Bud disbelieves everything. Although mildly amusing, it doesn't hold up to their earlier films.

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE MUMMY (Universal-International, 1955), directed by Charles T. Lamont, is true to its title for a change, considering the comedy team of Abbott and Costello actually using their own names instead of what's listed in the closing credits, Bud Abbott as Pete Patterson and Lou Costello as Freddie Franklin. Although they do encounter the 4,000 year old mummy, he's hardly in the story until the final 20 minutes or so. Following the tradition of "Abbott and Costello Meet" titles and the cycle of fright comedies that all began when they met "Frankenstein" (1948), with Dracula and the Wolf Man as added bonuses, followed by them meeting "The Invisible Man" (1951), all of which they enact character names, their venture with the Mummy was, in fact, long overdue, coming very late in the cycle, yet released at a time when the team was in need of something better than the weak comedies they've been turning out in recent years. With Universal finding great success with its "Francis the Talking Mule" and the "Ma and Pa Kettle" series in the 1950s, it appears that Universal kept Abbott and Costello on payroll longer than anticipated. As it appears, "Meet the Mummy," demonstrated, too late in fact, that they were still capable of making a good comedy, even when appearing opposite a Universal monster to do it.

The monster in question is a mummy named Kharis, now renamed Klaris. Unlike the film series of the 1940s, there's no Tana leaves, no flashbacks recalling how Kharis was condemned to death, buried alive and cursed for all eternity, nor is there a high priest assigning or swearing in another to guide the mummy to murder anyone who gets in his way. In this venture, the story begins with this narration, "It has been said that a man's best friend is his mummy. In Egypt today, this theory is to be in great dispute for two bold adventurers are about to discover a new kind of mummy." The two bold adventurers in question turn out to be Abbott and Costello, a couple of stranded Americans in Egypt (there's no explanation as to how they got there and why). In the opening segment set at the Cafe Bagdad where an Apache Dance is being performed, archaeologist Dr. Gustav Zuma (Kurt Katch) is interviewed by the press for his discovery of the tomb of Klaris, the sacred medallion leading to the valuable treasure, and his anticipation in hiring a couple of trustees to act as chaperons for Klaris's venture back to the United States. His interview is overheard by a Bud and Lou, who learn that the only way for them to return home is to take the job. When they come to meet with Dr. Zoomer for the job in his hotel room, they find he's been murdered (killed by a poisoned dart in his ear) and the mummy in his possession gone. More troubles arise when Abbott is accused of the murder, thanks to Costello's blunder in picture taking that has found its way in the newspapers. Costello unwittingly holds the medallion, believed to be cursed, leading to the dual's encounter with rival villains: Madame Rontru (Marie Windsor), her henchmen, Charlie (Michael Ansara) and Josef (Dan Seymour); and "Professor" Semu (Richard Deacon), leader of the Followers of Klaris, and his associates, Iben (Mel Welles) and Habid (George Khoury), who will stop at nothing to obtain the medallion. Taking Abbott and Costello with them to the ancient pyramid where the treasure is buried, they come across numerous surprises, including the mummy (Eddie Parker), who's alive and well.

Typical Abbott and Costello comedy with the team coming off best with their familiar comedy routines, whether they'd be old, new or indifferent. Costello continues to be the master of comic timing with his frightful expressions (yelling "Hey, Abbott!") while encountering a bat, skeleton in the closet, a giant lizard, a run-on gag involving an asp, and, of course, the Mummy. Abbott and Costello offer some fine comic exchanges ("The shovel and the pick" coming off best), with fine support by comic villains, especially femme fatale Marie Windsor. The big climax occurs with Abbott and Charlie going under wraps as the mummy, leading to a merry chase around the temple. Aside from all that, the script takes time for entertainer Peggy King to sing "You Came a Long Way from St. Louis," and some Egyptian dance numbers performed by The Mazzone-Abbott Dancers. With some gags ranging from good to silly, with portions of the story not making any sense at all, this Abbott and Costello venture is sure to guarantee laughter for children and devotees of the comedy team. who, with this comedy, have ended their 15 year association with Universal Pictures. They starred in one more film together in 1956 before parting company.

One final note: Eddie Parker's Klaris is no way related or parallel to Lon Chaney Jr.'s Kharis of the 1940s. Kharis was mute with one eye exposed while Klaris roared like a lion with his face nearly exposed with limited bandages around his body, looking like something purchased from a bargain basement store. Overall, a one piece rubber suit or rejected Halloween costume. Aside from these flaws, the movie gets by, with Abbott and Costello, older but not wiser, doing what they do best.

Formerly presented on Comedy Channel (1990s); American Movie Classics (2001-02) and later Turner Classic Movies (2004-05), "Meet the Mummy" can be found in either VHS or DVD formats, compliments of Universal Home Video. Happy Mummy's Day. (**)

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.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are in Egypt and they get caught up in a murder caper with a mummy and a medallion. It's general mayhem fun although I only truly laughed in one scene. The cursed medallion is funny because Lou is so silly. They try to do another who's on first with the pick. It's cute but derivative and inferior. I don't care that much about the other characters or the story in general. It's all window dressing anyways whenever Abbott and Costello are not on the screen.

Abbott and Costello are in Cairo and get mixed up with a mummy named Klaris (although he was KHaris in earlier films). It also involves a sacred medallion that Klaris wears, a cult that worships him and an evil woman (Marie Windsor) who will stop at nothing to get it.

This was the second to last film that Bud and Lou did for Universal and it's just terrible. The guys were easily in their 50s by then and their age is showing. It's full of tired slapstick and routines that were old even back in the 1950s. I didn't even crack a smile once (although the pick/shovel bit is kind of fun). The plot makes little sense and the special effects are terrible. The mummy getup has to be the worst I've ever seen in a mummy movie. Truly laughable. For the most part the acting is lousy too--Richard Deacon is the worst offender. Bud and Lou do what they can but the material isn't there for them. Also Marie Windsor (a brilliant character actress) has nothing to work with. Boring, unfunny and a waste of time. Skip it.

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.

Abbott and Costello made better and funnier comedies but this film is perfectly cromulent on its own terms. There is the requisite slapstick and the expected word games. The film has quick pace and enough of the jokes land to make this worthwhile. I miss this sort of silly adventure. Films are too weighty today.

Awfully tired Abbott and Costello comedy, their 28th (and final) film for Universal, benefits from a good supporting cast--although the script is cluttered with villains who don't end up doing much. Two pith helmet-wearing Americans in Cairo get hold of a medallion which points the way to hidden treasure once owned by a princess (but in hieroglyphics!). Soon, they're on the run from the mercenary Madame Rontru and her stooges, plus three roaming mummies guarding the princess's tomb. Lots of frantic activity, but not enough jokes. As the nefarious Madame, Marie Windsor gives the proceedings a much-needed shot in the arm, however Bud and Lou phone their performances in. *1/2 from ****

Their last of the "Meet the Monster" series and their second to last film together, "Mummy" has some of the teams best bits. There is some nice verbal wordplay between Bud and Lou, especially the "the shovel is my pick" skit. I also like the scene with Costello in Marie Windsors room and A & C pulling the old switcheroo with the medallion.

The only problem is that the film makes the Tarzan movies look like National Geographic in comparison. "Mummy" is supposed to take place in Egypt. The waiter and some of the Klaris supporters wear turbans. (Turbans are really associated with the Sikhs-from India) The dance the Klaris followers perform and the costumes worn by some of the girls belong more in a Bollywood film than Egypt. Bud and Lou hang out at a place called Cafe Baghdad that serves hamburgers and features American torch singers. And who in god's name wears a suit and tie in the desert? That aside, "Mummy" is a perfectly enjoyable picture if you just set your mind on cruise control and relax.

This movie is not for everyone, going into it I thought it'd be a lot like Meet Frankenstein, it's not. Some of the jokes go on a bit long, not to say they are bad, but I feel like if they were a little more condensed it would have actually made me laugh. The movie is funny, especially whenever the mummy (or mummy's) are at play, I love Abbott and Costello movies, this one isn't my favorite but if you like any of them this movie should be a good time.

The mummy is probably my least favourite classic Universal monster and I don't get the humour of Abbott and Costello (not for want of trying), so I wasn't expecting too much from Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy, the comedy duo's penultimate movie and their last to be produced by Universal. As I expected, this is a dreadfully unfunny outing for the stars, who go through the motions, flogging a few desperate gags for all they're worth by repeating them over and over again (not a great idea when they're not that funny to start with).

The film starts with a bizarre show at the Baghdad Cafe, the performers tumbling and doing stunts on a stage that seems to be twice the size of the seating area (not the most economic use of space for a business). Joining the audience are alliterative pals Pete Patterson (Bud Abbott) and Freddie Franklin (Lou Costello), who need to find a way to make some money so that they can return to America. While taking in the show, the pair overhear Dr. Zoomer (Kurt Katch), exporter of Egyptian artefacts, talking about his latest acquisition, the mummy Klaris (Eddie Parker), and decide to pay the doctor a visit at his home to see if they can find work. Instead, they find Zoomer murdered, and themselves hunted by the killers, who are trying to locate a medallion that will reveal the whereabouts of the treasure of Princess Ara. Hilarity ensues (providing you have the sense of humour of a five year old).

Along the way, Lou sees lots of things that scare him but is unable to convince Bud that they are there (par for the course), we get secret revolving doors and spooky passageways (a staple of the genre), a gag involving the inability to whistle (as seen in every other A&C comedy), several song/dance numbers to pad out the run-time, and characters who dress up as the mummy to allow for much confusion. Gags that are repeated ad infinitum include Lou playing a snake charmer flute and getting scared by the rubbery reptile that emerges, and Lou and Bud trying to pass the cursed medallion to each other inside a burger bun. A skit involving the words 'shovel' and 'pick' is a weak variation on the comedians' own 'Who's on first?' routine.

3.5/10, rounded down to 3 for the totally pointless bat attack and the utterly bizarre giant lizard -- more filler in a film full of it.