Movement in "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein"

In one of my other film history courses I have to write a paper comparing two films from before 1950, and my choice of topic to write about is the evolution of movemnt in slapstick comedy. I found it quite beneficial that shortly after watching one of the films, "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein", I had to write a blog post about camera and actor movement.

The film, which was one of the most influential and foundational slapstick films of the 1940's put a strong emphasis on movement of the action going on. In one particular scene, Wilbur Grey (played by Lou Costello) is left alone in a wax museum while Count Dracula exits from his coffin. The movement of camera, as was essential for best portraying slapstick comedy, follows and highlights every single movement cruical to gags. In one shot the movement from Dracula's hand opening the crate, to the candle moving, to Costello reading can all be seen and emphasized with focus in the same shot.

As well with all other gags, camera and actor movement work to emphasize any comedic tones that exist in a scene. By doing so, audiences know exactly where to focus so as to watch all the important actions and movements that occur.