Bela Lugosi’s second and final role as Dracula was in this must-see 1948 horror comedy.

Although Bela Lugosi is famous for his role in creating the character of Count Dracula, he only played the villain twice in his entire career. Perhaps the most surprising thing about this is that none of these films were even actual horror films. Most likely, his only appearance as the Prince of Darkness after Dracula was in a comedy called Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein.

Bela Lugosi was a significant addition to the cast Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. The horror legend made a name for himself playing sinister villains and monsters, most notably Count Dracula. The role of Bela Lugosi in the 1931s Dracula helped create the image that is now associated with the great horror villain. But while this led to Lugosi being revered as a horror icon, it did not immediately lead to more Dracula films starring Lugosi. He got to play the character again, but his experience was very different from the film he made 17 years ago.

Bela Lugosi’s role in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein explained

Bela Lugosi played Dracula for the second time, 17 years after the original film.

Manufacturer “Universal” Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein was the twenty-second installment in a series of comedies following the misadventures of characters played by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. For this, Universal chose a horror-themed story based on the studio’s existing line of monsters. Universal turned to its usual favorites in the genre with Frankenstein’s Monster, Count Dracula and The Wolf Man. To ensure each of them represented a recognizable version of the character, Universal brought in actors who had played them before.which led to Lugosi reprising the role of Dracula.

As for how Dracula fits into the story, Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein saw the main duo’s characters accidentally free Dracula. Teaming up with Larry Talbot, aka the Wolf Man, they had to fight both Frankenstein’s Monster and Dracula while roaming the castle. Much of the film’s comedy revolves around the fears the monsters inflict on the main characters. And just like in the traditional Count Dracula films, Dracula also had a human form, this time his other personality was a scientist named Dr. Lejos.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, Bela Lugosi’s Deserved Greatest Role

Being a comedy didn’t hurt Bela Lugosi’s performance as Dracula.

Given the serious nature of the character and his formidable reputation, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein may seem like an odd—and perhaps bad—choice for Lugosi’s second and final appearance as a villain. But even though the tone is at odds with Dracula’s character, his performance—and the film as a whole—still works. As evidenced by its 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating, the film skillfully combines horror with comedy. He coped with this huge task thanks to ensuring that the comedic tone did not influence the depictions of the monsters. Much of the humor came from the human characters.

Bela Lugosi revived his signature Dracula image, unaffected by his presence in the Abbott and Costello film. Providing a familiar version Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein, movie was able to give Lugosi a worthy opportunity to return to the role that initially made him a household name.