Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)

Right out of the gate I got a kick out of 'Dugan's Detective Training' Class of 1951. The initials 'DDT' could also be taken for a widely used insecticide during the era that was eventually banned in the U.S. As a farmer, my Dad used it on his onion crops in the 1950's, and it makes me wonder now whether the film's use of the initials was a clever pun on taking out the competition.So with a title like "A&C Meet the Invisible Man", probably the last thing you would think of is some connection to a boxing story. But then again, why not, as anything could happen with these boys around. As new graduates of the detective school, Bud and Lou's first case involves boxer Tommy Nelson (Arthur Franz) who's on the run after being framed for murdering his manager. The invisibility hook comes in as Tommy's girlfriend (Nancy Guild) has an uncle (Gavin Muir) who's a scientist working on a secret pripitane serum that's been effective on animals, but has the potential of driving human users insane. Nevertheless, Tommy is intent on turning himself invisible and hires Bud and Lou to get the goods on gangster Boots Morgan (Sheldon Leonard) who's been fixing matches against his champ Rocky Hanlon, and also arranged the rubout of Tommy's manager.If you've seen your fair share of Abbott and Costello flicks you could figure how they'd use the invisibility gimmick to their advantage in setting up a variety of situations. The most humorous example of it here was when Lou nonchalantly worked on the speed bag and amazed every onlooker at the gym. Of course it came in real handy in the final match against Rocky (John Daheim), with Lou defeating his rival with an assortment of phantom punches.Today was Abbott and Costello day on Turner Classics, a nice way to ring out the old year 2012 on New Year's Eve. Catching this one was a welcome treat as I don't remember seeing it back in the day, though I could have. A&C were teamed up with various Universal monster characters during their heyday, like Dr. Jekyll and The Mummy, but like many others, my favorite will always be their 1948 flick when they 'Meet Frankenstein', though the title doesn't tell the whole story. Universal went for the gusto by throwing in Dracula and the Wolf Man as an added bonus.

Bumbling private detective Bud and Lou are hired by a boxer wrongly accused of murder to help clear his name when he is on the run. Bud decides to take the case but, when he learns of a reward for the man's capture, decides to turn Tommy Nelson into the police. Unfortunately for him, while Lou "keeps an eye on him", Tommy takes a serum that makes him turn invisible. Unable to be captured (because of course nobody believes Lou), Tommy gets the twosome to continue to help investigate the real murderer – with his help. But can they expose the killers before the dangerous side-effects kick in on Tommy?I have recently been give Abbott and Costello another pass on my TV, checking out some films I have not seen for some time. Of course I have remembered enough about them to watch the ones considered "good" and hence Invisible Man was next on my list after Meet Frankenstein. Watching them close together made me think that maybe one followed the other directly (after all the latter ends with an "appearance" by the invisible man) but they do not – not that narrative cohesion really matters too much. As is normally the easiest, this film has a fairly "straight" plot that is simple enough to not take up much time but solid enough to provide a structure. The rest of the film is the Abbott and Costello doing their thing in their own way and of course the film falls or rises based on how well this aspect of it works.Here it works pretty well. OK it is still a fairly unsophisticated style of humour but it works. The use of special effects (for the time) adds something to the mix but ultimately it is down to the players and down Abbott and Costello are in good form here. Both seem to be putting in work and are quite sharp in their delivery, with Abbott sharp while Costello delivers on the bumbling really well. The supporting cast feature solid enough b-movie turns to keep the plot moving (Guild, Jergens, Franz) while Frawley and others do many good variations on the "I can't believe what I'm seeing/not seeing" double take.It is not a brilliant comedy but it is one of A&C's better films that I have seen recently. It holds together well and, while my changing humour and aging mind did not find many big belly laughs in here, I did have a few laughs and plenty of smaller chuckles – it certainly didn't bore or annoy me. Worth seeing if you like their style because it works well here.

This movie is mildly amusing in many ways. You don't think of boxing as a story to meet an invisible man but that is the plot thread that holds this string of A&C gags together. Actually it works pretty well.William Frawley & Arthur Franz lead a talented support cast which does pretty good with a light script. The special effects were pretty good for their time though appear a little dated now.This movie is pretty good for 1 viewing. The second time around it wears out it's welcome. Still, it is better than some of the work being done & definitely better than meeting Captain Kidd.Aaaaargh!

This another great bud Abbott and Lou Costello and because of all the same reasons it has great comedy in it the acting is good in it the actors are good in it it has a good story line to it and the effects are good in it everything is good in it. so i'm sure that you will not be disappointed with bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet the invisible man. so make sure that you rent or buy bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet the invisible man because it is a great bud Abbott and Lou Costello movie. so i'm sure that you will have a good time watching it and you will watch it over and over again.overall score ******** out of ********** ***1/2 out of *****