Two bumbling service station attendants are left as the sole beneficiaries in a gangster's will. Their trip to claim their fortune is sidetracked when they are stranded in a haunted house along with several other strangers.
Acting
Costello's terrified double-takes are timeless physical comedy
Production
Gothic haunted house sets that inspired Scooby-Doo
Writing
Rapid-fire wordplay that rewards close attention
Director
Arthur Lubin
Bud Abbott
Chuck Murray
Lou Costello
Ferdinand Jones
Richard Carlson
Doctor Jackson
Joan Davis
Camille Brewster
Mischa Auer
Gregory
Evelyn Ankers
Norma Lind
Marc Lawrence
Charlie Smith
Shemp Howard
Soda Jerk
Russell Hicks
Bannister
William B. Davidson
Moose Matson
Laverne Andrews
Laverne Andrews
Maxene Andrews
Maxene Andrews
Patty Andrews
Patty Andrews
Bobby Barber
Waiter (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Universal's attempt to merge their horror brand with Abbott and Costello's comedy—spawning the template for their eventual Meet Frankenstein crossover hits.
The 'old dark house' haunted mansion setting became so iconic here that it directly influenced Scooby-Doo's formula 30 years later—bumbling duo, spooky inheritance, fake supernatural, real criminal.
US
