Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)

Guess who’s back for more laughs and spooks in this classic twist on the invisible man?

What Genre is it?

Burlesque Comedy

Definition of Burlesque Comedy

A burlesque form of comedy is when a story mocks a subject or when a particular subject is presented in an ironic, over-exaggerated way. Abbott and Costello do this style of comedy very well. They usually have fast dialogue with one in the duo playing the straight man and the other the comic.

Why Watch Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man?

After graduating from Dugan’s Detective Training course, Abbott and Costello open their own private eye practice. Everything is going great. Until, the typical man in a trench coat comes skulking into their office. The man is accused of a murder he didn’t commit—or so he says.  

Abbott and Costello’s lives get more complicated when their client disappears. A border line mad scientist, a baffled psychologist, and a confused police force, are sure to bring laughter as Abbott and Costello try to solve the murder mystery.

Raising the stakes, Dr. Philip Gray (Gavin Muir), states that the invisible serum could have side effects on his patient. Side effects include (but are not limited to) gradual loss of awareness and empathy, increased ego, and overall control complex issues. Abbott and Costello promise to watch for these symptoms as long as they can stay out of the psychiatric ward, avoid the police sergeant, and remain alive during a boxing match.

Classic film buffs will be delighted that William Frawley (I Love Lucy) and Sheldon Leonard (It’s a Wonderful Life) also star in this burlesque comedy.   

Where Can You Watch Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man?

Since this film is in the Public Domain, you can view it for free on the Internet Archive through the link below.

https://archive.org/details/AbbottCostelloMeetTheInvisibleMan

Memorable Quote

He was standing right here, and then, I shook hands with him. His hand was gone. Then, I went to speak to him, his head was gone. Then, he took off his shirt, his body was gone. He took off his pants; his legs were gone. Then, he spoke to me… I was gone. 

~LOU COSTELLO