MOVIE REVIEW/FROM THE VAULT

It’s been a while since we’ve had a post about a pickup from The Vault, and I know I said last week I’d start back with some horror movies. Today’s pick borders on the horror genre, featuring the always spooky Boris Karloff. The film is Abbott & Costello Meet the Killer (1948)—one of my absolute favorites from the A&C collection.

The item from the vault? A UK edition movie poster I recently picked up! That find inspired a rewatch, and let me tell you—it holds up beautifully.

The Story – 7.9/10 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖

This one’s a classic murder mystery whodunit with a wonderfully quirky cast of characters. The only person we’re certain didn’t do it is, of course, Freddie Phillips (played by Costello). But it seems like everyone is trying to pin the murder on him.

Thankfully, nothing can stop the iconic duo of Abbott & Costello. With some solid sleuthing and their trademark humor, they unravel the mystery while delivering plenty of laughs along the way.

The Villain – 8.6/10 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖

Without giving away too much—this movie is packed with suspects.

Leading the charge is Boris Karloff as Swami Talpur, delivering a deadpan performance that contrasts perfectly with A&C’s chaos. Also worth highlighting is Lenore Aubert as Angela Gordon, the eerie black widow suspected of poisoning a few unfortunate husbands. Chilling and fabulous.

Actors & Characters – 8.9/10 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖

Abbott & Costello shine as always, bouncing off each other in the way that made them Hollywood legends throughout the ’40s. Karloff doesn’t miss a beat either, and the supporting cast is strong.

James Flavin plays the inspector, sharing some great back-and-forth moments with Costello. And Alan Mowbray as the hotel manager Melton adds even more flavor to an already colorful lineup.

Overall – 8.7/10 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖

I hold this one in high regard when it comes to A&C films. It’s got everything I love: a fun mystery, classic performances, and just the right amount of spook without being over-the-top.

If you haven’t seen Abbott & Costello Meet the Killer, it’s absolutely worth a watch. There is a chance that we get more A&C coming up but certainly more horror reviews as well!

A&C Meet the killer (8.5)

1. The Exorcist (9.25)

2. Psycho (9.22)

3. Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (9.0)

4. Silence of the lambs (9.0)

5. REAR WINDOW (8.8)

6. Ed Wood (8.78)

7. THE PHANTOM (8.7)

8. VERTIGO (8.65)

9. A&C Meet the killer (8.5)

10. The Omen (1976) (8.45)

11. The Creature from the Black Lagoon (8.42)

12. Salem’s Lot (8.4)

13. StranGERS on a TRAIN (8.35)

14. The Ghost & Mr Chicken (8.32)

15. It (2017) (8.3)

16. DIAL M FOR MURDER (8.3)

17. Rosemary’s Baby (8.28)

18. SINISTER (2012) (8.25)

19. The Mummy (1999) (8.12)

20. The Phantom of the Opera (1925) (8.08)

21. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) (8.07)

22. THE MUMMY (1959) (8.0)

23. The Wolfman (1941) (7.98)

24. The Lost Boys (7.97)

25. DRACULA (1931) (7.85)

26. DICK TRACY (1990) (7.72)

27. The Thing (1982) (7.67)

28. The Fog (7.5)

29. Homicidal (7.12)

30. Halloween (1978) (6.65)

31. The Wolfman (2010) (6.25)

32. Ernest Scared Stupid (5.35)

33. Monster Squad (5.22)