Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, and Boris Karloff

Director: Charles Lamont

Runtime: 1 hr 16 min

We have found another comedic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story! Now, while the previous comedic film (Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde) made me giggle, this film actually made me guffaw. Like, serious, loud, and obnoxious laughter. Apparently, Lou Costello’s delivery of his lines is my type of humor, because I found myself thinking, “Same, dude.” His character reacted the same way I would have reacted. It was a mixture of “are we seriously doing this right now?” and “let’s do literally anything else”.

This story follows Slim and Tubby (I know, awful), two Americans who, for some reason, are in London to learn from the police there. Needless to say, they are inept and quickly thrown off the force. Meanwhile, you have Dr. Jekyll (played by Karloff), who is terrorizing London and lusting after his ward. Slim and Tubby get the brilliant idea to apprehend the killer, thereby ensuring they will be asked back to the force. Hijinks ensue!

I relate so much to Tubby (Costello). He saw some strange shit going down and was like, “Naw, I’m good”. This is the correct reaction to have to movie monsters unless you’re sure you can win! And is your name Nancy Thompson? No? Then why are you going after the scary doctor who wants to murder your face?

This movie was fun. If you are in the mood to guffaw – I think everyone should partake in a good guffaw at least twice a month – this is a good place to start! True, it’s not exactly scary or faithful to the source material, but I wasn’t mad at this adaptation. I may actually have to seek out more Abbott and Costello films thanks to this Jekyll and Hyde detour.

• Tubby: Hey, Slim? Slim? I gotta go home. I forgot something.
• Slim: What did you forget?
• Tubby: I forgot to stay there.

Come oooooon. That’s funny!

Siemelle