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Expert: - 10/23/2007


Question
Hi,
When I was very young, I remember watching this hilarious black and white movie. I don't remember much except that it involved two men who I think were a very popular pair during that time and made many movies together. One was a thin tall man who was more responsible and mature, the other one (funny one) was a short fat man who was very innocent and goofy. About this movie, I remember that the movie also included other characters, including two females. I think their car had broken down in a stormy night in the middle of somewhere. As a result, everybody had to stay in this really old house/mansion or something where all the funny spooky things took place.
I really hope you can find out what movie this is, or at least the famous pair that I mentioned:)

Thank You,
Rose

Answer
Rose, this most likely is "Abbott and Cosetllo Meet Frankenstein," a 1948 black & white film that has many of these elements.  

If it isn't this exact film, then there are other Abbott and Costello films of the early 1950s that put the comics in to quasi-horror situations (the way you describe the tall thin man and the short fat man suggest that pair more than the earlier Laurel and Hardy).

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Barbara L. Baker

Expertise

I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Please do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.

Experience

Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric

Awards and Honors
A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards

Past/Present Clients
My students

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