Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)

A favorite as a child, 17 October 2005

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.

6/10