The Wolf Man - The Legacy Collection (The Wolf Man / Werewolf of London / Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man / She-Wolf of London)

Rating:
Summary: Beware of the Full Moon
Review: This collection of classic werewolf films bring back memories of staying up late on weekends and watching monster movies on TV. Although I didn't care much for "Werewolf of London" or "She-Wolf", the original "Wolfman" and "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman", starring Claude Rains, Bela Lugosi, and the impeccable Lon Chaney make this DVD special.

Chaney gives excellent performances in both films as Larry Talbot, a man who, in the first wolfmam film, is bitten by a werewolf, played by Lugosi. From then on, whenever there's a full moon, Larry undergoes a metamorphisis into the wolf creature, stalking the night and terrorizing people.

In "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman", Chaney reprises his famous fole, and Lugosi plays the part of Frankenstein, a role he previously turned down, and which was made famous by Boris Karloff. Ultimately, the monster and wolfman end up fighting each other at the end of the film while the townspeople try to destroy Frankenstein castle.

This is a good DVD. Chaney and Lugosi give memorable performances in their respective roles, and the settings and scenery, especislly the rolling fog throughout the films, gives them an even creepier feel to them. Although I didn't care for the other two films on the disc, "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman" and the original "Wolfman" make this disc worth the price. Watch this collection of horror films and experience some good classic horror at its best.

Rating:
Summary: The legacy collection that is a legacy
Review: This DVD set is the ultimate! From the beginning, I have always loved werewolves. And when I finally saw a movie that I had been looking for since I first got interested in werewolf films, I knew this was for me.

As for the movie "She-Wolf of London", I had never heard of it. It is what's related to how Alfred Hitchcock got started--through conspiracy that resulted in horrifying incidents. In the end, though, I didn't like the plot once it was explained. I wanted a classic werewolf. Well, I guess I just didn't get that!

All in all, though, I really enjoyed this collection. I especially appreciated learning about the fact that Larry Talbot went on even after "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman". I hope you enjoy it, and happy howling!



Rating:
Summary: Its spooktacular
Review: To me,the wolf man is the greatest universal monster of them all.Lon Chaney had the pathos that Lugosi lacked, to carry off his character.And he used to scare the bejesus out of me when I was a kid!!!
Anyway, I think they have done a remarkable job with this new DVD transfer.The extras are excellent, the picture clear and the sound wonderful.Although I did read of the problems a lot of customers were having with their discs, I acually had a problem with one of the extra programmes, a documentary,that wouldn't play.I took it back to the store and they replaced it and this one is fine.What a shame that something that has been packaged and remastered so well has to be flawed!
But the film still stands up well against time,probably better than most of them,certainly Dracula which, I find, is rather stiff and boring (a vampire without teeth???).
You also get 'Werewolf of London' which is pretty good, 'Frankenstein vs Wolfman' which is better and 'She Wolf of London' which is a complete waste of time.It would have been better if they had of added 'House of frankie' and 'House of Dracula' to continue the wolfman saga and ditched 'She wolf' to the garbage bin where it belongs.But beggars can't be choosers and you're getting 4 films and a documentary for $20.00.It can't be bad,right? I just now have to get 'Frankenstein' and boring 'Dracula' to complete the exiting Wolfman set.


Rating:
Summary: Howl at the Moon
Review: Universal continues its great Legacy Collection with its lycanthropic entry THE WOLF MAN. Four werewolf flicks are wonderfully documented, remastered and presented. The cornerstone of the offerings is the 1941 THE WOLF MAN starring Lon Chaney. Also included is the earlier WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935), the FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN (1943), and the wolf-less SHE-WOLF OF LONDON (1946). Like many other offerings in the Legacy series, there is little horror left in this series, but they are sure fun to look back upon. And the wonderful documentary does a great job in supporting the material.

THE WOLF MAN. This is the classic werewolf film that all others are compared to. Lon Chaney, Jr. is bitten by a werewolf. From that moment on, he turns canine whenever the moon is full and terrorizes the region. He hunts and is hunted. Because of the success of this feature, this is the `typical' werewolf story. It is easily the most exciting offering in this series. Lon Chaney's performance as the human side of his duality is a bit wooden, but you watch these films for the canine side, so it's okay. One amazing bit of irony is that the Full Moon is never visible in this film that it should be featured so prominently.

FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN appeared a couple years later to team up these two horror icons. It sure is fun to see them together, but some of the `plottier' story elements are such strong contrivances that you have to ignore them. Bela Lugosi traded in his Dracula garb for the Frankenstein Monsters bolted neck, but his performance is not far away. Good Saturday Matinee fun.

WEREWOLF OF LONDON The precursor to the WOLF MAN is this Werewolf story. This offering has a scientist cursed to be a werewolf. He must kill every night that has a full moon until he has killed someone he loves. He tries to keep his wife protected but in the end, he gets his trying to do her in. This is an interesting offering, especially when we have a Werewolf who takes the time to put on a hat and cape before heading out into the night.

The strangest offering in the group must be SHE-WOLF OF LONDON. If you fast forward to the first scene that has a werewolf, you'll forward through the entire film. This is a story of a young girl who is convinced she is a werewolf, no matter what the truth. It doesn't help that an evil matron helps keep the ruse alive. Aside from June Lockhart in the starring role, this film has little to offer, but fun to see as part of the Wolf experience.