Sci Fi History: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Comedy legends met horror legends in 1948. Abbott and Costello have run-ins with the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney), Dracula (Bela Lugosi), and Frankenstein’s monster (Glenn Strange). The movie marked the end of the golden age of monster films and reinvigorated Abbott and Costello. The movie is considered one of the funniest in history and the duo’s finest.  Boris Karloff declined the role of the monster leaving the spot to Strange. Strange found the duo hilarious and laughed throughout filming leading to excess retakes.  At the very end, Vincent Price makes a cameo as the Invisible Man.  This is the movie to watch during Halloween season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg5N9FJc__Q

Sci-Fi History: The Wolfman (1941)

The 1941 version of The Wolfman had a dramatic impact on the werewolf genre. Lon Chaney Jr. stars as Lawrence Talbot, who was bitten by a werewolf, and cursed. When the moon is full, Talbot becomes a werewolf and eventually develops into a tortured soul. Chaney’s portrayal was so popular, it spawned many sequels.  Many actors, writers, and directors were inspired by the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOGB9CX_kMo