JohnHowardReid Copyright 26 June 1953 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. A Universal-International picture. No New York opening. U.S. release: August 1953. U.K. release: March 1954. Banned in Australia, the film has never been shown theatrically in that country although, oddly enough, it has frequently been broadcast on TV. 6,884 feet. 76 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Dr Jekyll decides to kill his ward's lover as he wants to marry her himself.COMMENT: It's hard to believe that this wonderfully entertaining spoof received such lukewarm and even negative reviews. The boys are in their element as a couple of earnestly lame-brained bobbies, hilariously blundering their way from one tautly risible situation to the next, finally capping their chucklesome efforts with a delightful climax of doubly mirthful mayhem. Their comic endeavors are appealingly assisted by Reginald Denny - as stupidly choleric a detective inspector as they come - and John Dierkes as a lumbering menace. And there's a great support cast including Clyde Cook and John Rogers as a couple of argumentative drunks, and Arthur Gould-Porter as a disbelieving bartender. Boris Karloff is deliciously suave as the not-so-good doctor, while Helen Westcott makes a vivaciously pretty heroine. The stunts and special effects are exciting enough for an "A" feature. We love the sets and atmosphere. And as for the direction with its stylish camera angles and tight compositions, we are amazed to report that it's a long way above Mr Lamont's usual more humble standards.OTHER VIEWS: One of the best A&C features, thanks to a very funny script, slick film editing, superbly low-key photography, excellent acting, marvelous make-up and special effects, and startlingly imaginative direction. All the principal players with the exception of Craig Stevens (who is capable, but not outstanding) are to be especially commended. I found the scene in the wax museum so hilarious, my ribs hurt from alternate laughter and fright. The climax is likewise breathtaking. -- JHR writing as Charles Freeman.In this remarkable adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, Abbott and Costello do much better by the book than Hammer Films were to do in a similar attempt (The Ugly Duckling - 1959) to turn it into a musical comedy. For one thing, Abbott and Costello's scriptwriters have thoughtfully retained the period as well as the milieu, and many of the dramatic incidents are played perfectly straight while the comic potentialities of the central idea are fully exploited. - JHR writing as George Addison.

gavin6942 Two bumbling American cops (Tubby and Slim) hunt for the mysterious Mr. Hyde (Eddie Parker) in London, England.For whatever reason, the more popular Abbott and Costello horror films seem to be with them meeting Frankenstein, the Mummy or "the killer". But this one is really exceptional, with great makeup and transformation scenes and plenty of humor. It also happens to be one of the few that could arguably called scary.I have credit Eddie Parker as Hyde because he should be recognized. With all due respect to Boris Karloff, Parker made the role with his jumping around and acting the part of the monster. Parker was such a huge figure in Hollywood, but no one has ever heard of him. (Somebody please write a book about him.)

vancleef1980 There is really only one reason to watch this and that's the presence of the great Boris Karloff as Dr Jekyll. Pity Universal never managed to cast him in a proper film bout Jekyll and Hyde. Instead we have yet another corny and lame Abbott and Costello comedy. I defy anyone who can actually sit through the pairs poor excuse for comedy and actually find them funny. Now I love the Marx Brothers, i adore Laurel and Hardy, they are still funny and fresh and were comedy geniuses never to be matched and pre-date A & C by over 10 years. I can even appreciate the Three stooges up to a point also. Indeed people may say Meet Dr Jekyll is one of their poorest efforts, actually there are worse believe it or not, check out the dire jack and the beanstalk for that dubious honour. I have watched Buck Privates, Who Done It?, pardon my sarong, meet the mummy and also the much heralded Meet Frankenstein all of which are suppose to be A & C at their best, all left me called cold apart from meet frankenstein and thats because of Lugosi, purely and simply. The lamest part about this particular film is the scene where Lou turns into a mouse, its so pathetically unfunny it defies belief at its sheer ineptitude.

westegg Hey, I've been one of the ultimate A&C fans for decades, but this film is lazy, stupid and totally uninspired. The character of Hyde is just a cipher of a character, mindlessly creating havoc. Who honestly believes it's Karloff's alter ego? It's just a stuntman running around giving a bad performance! A & C are mostly on automatic pilot. The only effective scene--and it's just one shot!--is when a group of Scotland Yard bobbies transform into a pack of Hydes. It's inventively done and genuinely scary--why wasn't the preceding movie up to this level??Believe me, I love A&C, but this film was a botched opportunity. By contrast, A&C MEET THE INVISIBLE MAN (1951) had a real story, far better characterizations and was truly hilarious. HYDE is simply depressing.