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Summary: The "Wolf Man" Reflects Universal Studios At Its Peak
Review: The "Wolf Man" is one of the all-time great Universal horror films. A marvelous screenplay by Curt Siodmak, incredible makeup by Jack Pierce, and perfect direction from George Waggner combine to create a moody, atmospheric classic. Add to the mix the great acting talents of Claude Rains, Lon Chaney, Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Warren William, Bela Lugosi, Fay Helm, and the incomparable Maria Ospenskaya as "Meleva" the gypsy women, and you have an almost perfect horror film. Lon Chaney, Jr., as "Sir Lawrence Talbot" is particularly effective as he successfully follows up his fine performance as "Lenny" in "Of Mice and Men." But it is the overall ambiance of the film---the clouds passing by the full moon; the distant howls of wolves; the gypsy music eerily pervading the mist-filled forests---which make this film unforgetable. Remember: "Even a man whose pure at heart and says his prayers by night, can become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." Great Halloween fun. Highly recommended for movie fans of all ages and especially for horror buffs. No blood, no gore. Just great acting, atmospherics, and plot. They don't make'em like this anymore.
Rating:
Summary: A distant howling.
Review: This legendary horror film is the granddaddy of all werewolf movies. The previous "Werewolf of London" notwithstanding, this film set the standard for much that followed. Wolf Man Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney) became a popular member of the classic horror family at Universal Studios. Makeup genius Jack Pierce created the trademark hirsute fright look that has been imitated, but never improved, over the years. The familiar story of metamorphosis, wolfbane, and the autumn moon unfolds quickly. The running time of the film is a mere 70 minutes. Once it gets going, the action doesn't let up. The inspired casting of Maria Ouspenskaya as Maleva the gypsy woman is a memorable event in classic horror flicks. She brings a mystic sense of Slavic fatalism to her role. Her son, Bela the fortune teller, has the mark of the beast and infects Talbot. Bela Lugosi's appearance is brief, but he manages to project the world-weariness and suffering of his peculiar malady as the doomed gypsy who sees the pentagram in the palm of his next victim. The terrific scenes of Chaney in full makeup, creeping amid the gnarled trees and through the foggy night are the stuff of troubled childhood dreams. Scream Queen Evelyn Ankers is the resident threatened female. Claude Rains is cast in the unlikely role of the hulking Chaney's father. American Ralph Bellamy is also a peculiar choice to play the stern local chief constable. Despite these little quirks, it all blends nicely. About the only thing missing, is the dark sense of humor of James Whale, which made the early Universal Frankenstein flicks so richly enjoyable. Every serious collector of Classic Horror 101 needs this addition to their collection. ;-)
Rating: 
Summary: Before Ginger snapped, Lon Chaney Jr. was...
Review: ...The Wolf Man, and the origional movie werewolf. Obviously, because this is a fourties movie, there wan't all the special effects that we are used to seeing in films like Ginger Snaps, An American Werewolf in London, The Howling, Silver Bullet, or the upcoming Van Helsing. George Waggner's The Wolf Man was excactly what the title states...a wolf-man. He stands up on two legs and has the bodily structure of a man, but has the hair, teeth, claws, feet, howl, and bite of a wolf. Whenever the moon rises poor old Larry Talbot turns into a werewolf after being bitten by the first werewolf he already killed named Bela (Bela Lugosi). This film has perfect make up work for it's time. You can really feel sorry for all that Larry Talbot is going through. This film uses great use of light and music to really creep you out. Even today, The Wolf Man still stands up to the current werewolf films because it it's atmosphere, cast, music, and plot and characters. This is only one of Universal's classic monster films that despite it's age, I (as a young twenty year old) absolutely love. The Universal monsters will never die.
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Summary: Before Ginger snapped, Lon Chaney Jr. was...
Review: ...The Wolf Man. Obviously, because this is a fourties movie, there wan't all the special effects that we are used to seeing in films like Ginger Snaps, An American Werewolf in London, The Howling, Silver Bullet, or the upcoming Van Helsing. George Waggner's The Wolf Man was excactly what the title states...a wolf-man. He stands up on two legs and has the bodily structure of a man, but has the hair, teeth, claws, feet, howl, and bite of a wolf. Whenever the moon rises poor old Larry Talbot turns into a werewolf after being bitten by the first werewolf he already killed named Bela (Bela Lugosi). This film has perfect make up work for it's time. You can really feel sorry for all that Larry Talbot is going through. This film uses great use of light and music to really creep you out. Even today, The Wolf Man still stands up to the current werewolf films because it it's atmosphere, cast, music, and plot and characters. This is only one of Universal's classic monster films that despite it's age, I (as a young twenty year old) absolutely love. The Universal monsters will never die.
Rating:
Summary: The full moon rises and you can here the howl of a wolf...
Review: Although not as famous as "Dracula" or "Frankenstein," Universal's 1941 movie "The Wolf Man" is arguably the best horror film of the bunch. After his brother dies, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) returns from America to his ancestral home in Wales. While visiting a gypsy camp with Jenny Williams (Fay Helm) from the local village to have his fortune told, the young girl is attacked by Bela (Bela Lugosi), a gypsy who has been turned into a werewolf. Talbot manages to kill the werewolf, but during the fight he is bitten. Maleva (Maria Ouspenskaya), Bela's mother, tells Talbot his tragic fortune: when the full moon rises, he too will become the Wolf Man. The doomed Talbot tries to explain his horrible plight to his father, Sir John (Claude Rains), but the old man refuses to believe. This means a final tragic encounter when the old man joins in the hunt for the werewolf, which also involves the woman Talbot loves, Gwen Conliffe (Evelyn Ankers). "The Wolf Man" remains the most tragic figure in the Universal pantheon of monsters and this film directed by George Waggner holds up better than most of its contemporaries. Poor Larry Talbot is painfully aware of his curse and it is that pathos that overwhelms the wooden acting by most of the cast. The transformation sequences are first rate for the time and there are more believable scary moments in this film than any of the other classics.
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Summary: Hair¿s an Interesting Look
Review: The Wolf Man is simply one of the greatest horror films ever made. Written by Curt Siodmak and directed by George Waggner this film had the perfect combination of narrative content and visual elements. The Wolf Man was one of a dozen B horror movies that Universal produced within the 1930s and 40s, but remains of an elite category for its excellence. From its release in 1941 and until now I believe this film hasn't been getting the appreciation it deserves. Its reputation of being just another black and white B horror film precedes it unfortunately.
The Wolf Man is the story of a man who takes the shape of an animal, in this case a wolf, to deal with his struggle with sexual repression. Larry Talbot, played by Lon Chaney Jr., returns to his home in England after studying abroad for nearly two decades. Shortly after his return, he falls in love with the daughter of an antique shop named Gwen Conliffe, who is played by Evelyn Ankers. Gwen is the stereotypical country girl. She is pretty, sweet, and moral. Larry is bitten by a werewolf on his first date with Gwen and becomes inflicted with the disease of lycanthropy. As the film prolongs we learn of Gwen's engagement to another man and how it leads to a great deal of Larry's frustration. An interesting aspect of this film is that before almost all of Larry's transformations into a wolf he is either directly or indirectly engaged with Gwen's seemingly unreachable hand until it's too late. This leads me to believe that Gwen is, in a way, responsible for Larry's "liberation" from man into beast; being that she is the object of not only his love, but of his sexual frustrations and repressions.
It is always interesting to see how a leading lady was depicted in the golden years of Hollywood films. In The Wolf Man's case, as in many other cases, she is represented as a stereotype and as an object. Without her character, however, the narrative would not have had its particularly well crafted strength.
Rating:
Summary: The "Wolf Man" Reflects Universal Studios At Its Peak
Review: The "Wolf Man" is one of the all-time great Universal horror films. A marvelous screenplay by Curt Siodmak, incredible makeup by Jack Pierce, and perfect direction from George Waggner combine to create a moody, atmospheric classic. Add to the mix the great acting talents of Claude Rains, Lon Chaney, Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Warren William, Bela Lugosi, Fay Helm, and the incomparable Maria Ospenskaya as "Meleva" the gypsy women, and you have an almost perfect horror film. Lon Chaney, Jr., as "Sir Lawrence Talbot" is particularly effective as he successfully follows up his fine performance as "Lenny" in "Of Mice and Men." But it is the overall ambiance of the film---the clouds passing by the full moon; the distant howls of wolves; the gypsy music eerily pervading the mist-filled forests---which make this film unforgetable. Remember: "Even a man whose pure at heart and says his prayers by night, can become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." Great Halloween fun. Highly recommended for movie fans of all ages and especially for horror buffs. No blood, no gore. Just great acting, atmospherics, and plot. They don't make'em like this anymore.
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Summary: Your suffering is over, Bela my son.
Review: Don Smith, Lon Chaney, Jr.'s biographer, states that the most important horror film of the 1940's is "The Wolf Man". This new full screen(aspect 1.33:1) release of "The Wolf Man" is what DVD is all about: A clear, pristine restoration of a cinema classic, an original documentary with director John Landis(written by historian David J. Skal), commentary by expert Tom Weaver, a trailer, and bio's on the major stars, including listing every film by Lon Chaney, Jr. and Bela Lugosi. The Wolfman story, perhaps a classic Greek tragedy, is well-known. Lawrence Talbot returns to his father's estate in Wales. After romancing a local village girl, Talbot is bitten by a werewolf. At the full moon, he suffers the curse of lycanthropy. Like a football team, a movie is perhaps, only as good as it's players. "The Wolf Man" is all first string. Fresh from his accolades for "Of Mice and Men", Lon Chaney, Jr. steps into the leading role with conviction and empathy. This is his finest work. His father, Sir John, is played by Claude Rains. Just one year later, he would be Oscar nominated for "Casablanca". British actress Evelyn Ankers began a long Universal film career here as the love interest. Warren Williams plays the doctor. Williams was once touted as the next Barrymore. Ralph Bellamy appears as Constable Montford. Bellamy was in over 100 films. He won the Academy Award and a Tony for his work. Patric Knowles, a Universal staple, plays the gamekeeper. World famous Maria Ouspenskaya emigrated to the U.S. from Russia, surviving the Revolution and famine. Her role here as Maleva, the old gypsy woman, is pivotal.Finally Bela Lugosi, as Bela the gypsy, is at once riveting and magnetic. Originally considered for the lead, Lugosi's part was sadly cut to 7 lines. It is his only screen appearance as a werewolf. "Wolf Man" director George Waggner creates a frantic pace and eery backgrounds here. Waggner started as an actor, appearing in "The Shiek", with Rudolph Valentino, in 1921. The "Wolf Man" story comes from a taut script by Curt Siodmak. An original music score from Charles Previn and Hans J. Salter was so successful, it popped up in Universal films for years. Some of the track was recycled in 1954 for "Creature From the Black Lagoon". An early "Wolfman" scene in Talbot Castle includes a candlabra prop seen in 1935's "The Raven". In a later segment, Chaney exits a magnificent old church. That set was built for his father in "Hunchback of Notre Dame". "The Wolf Man" finished shooting in November, 1941. Just weeks later it opened in theaters. It was an instant hit, earning over $1 million. Within days, five of the principal actors were rushed into Universal's next opus, "Ghost of Frankenstein". Lon Chaney, Jr.'s grandson, Ron Chaney, lives in Palm Springs, Calif.. I have spoken with him several times. He holds his famous ancestors in high esteem, thanks to his web-site (...). He remembers his grandfather as warm and generous. For "The Wolf Man" commentary, Tom Weaver is detailed and inspired. He makes one error, however,mentioning that Lon Chaney, Jr. died of lung cancer. He's wrong. It was actually his father, Lon Chaney,Sr., who passed away in 1930 after shooting his only sound film, a re-make of his own "The Unholy Three". Lon Chaney,Jr. died in 1973 of a heart attack and liver failure. He was 67. In "The Wolf Man"'s final epic scenes, Maleva, the old gypsy woman, bends over the battered body of Lawrence Talbot, and whispers the words that have echoed down and haunted Hollywood horror film history..."The way you walked was thorny, through no fault of your own. But as the rain enters the soil, the river enters the sea, so tears run to their predestined end. Your suffering is over, my son. Now you will find peace..."
Rating:
Summary: The birth of Universal's most tragic monster character
Review: Among the pantheon of classic Universal monsters, only Dracula and Frankenstein's monster stand taller than The Wolf Man. This 1941 classic starring Lon Chaney, Jr., is a must-see for anyone claiming any interest in horror movies. The film has exerted a huge influence on the art of bringing horror to life for over six decades now, thanks to the heralded make-up prowess of Jack Pierce, the tight and powerful script of Curt Siodmak, some impressive photography work, and wonderful performances from a truly stellar cast of actors and actresses. There is just something different about The Wolf Man; I have a hard time viewing him as a monster Larry Talbot is a thoroughly sympathetic and tragic character. Dracula loves being a vampire, Frankenstein's monster is just an unfortunate victim of circumstance whose various body parts have already lived full lives, but Larry Talbot desperately hates the monster he has become. He's already a sympathetic character, coming home after eighteen years following the death of his older brother, trying to fit in among the folks he said goodbye to long ago. Then, when he hears a fateful howl accompanied by a scream, he races off in heroic fashion, taking on a wolf in order to try and save a woman's life, killing the doggoned creature. And what does he get for his noble, self-less act? First of all, suspicion, because instead of the wolf he described, the authorities find the body of a gypsy fortune teller (played by Bela Lugosi, who gets all of seven lines in the film) clubbed to death by Talbot's cane. Then, tragically, he finds himself inflicted with the curse of the werewolf, thanks to the bite he suffered in the struggle. Chaney's performance also adds to his tragic status. He had a style of acting all his own; at times, I watch him and think the guy just couldn't act his way out of a dark room with a flashlight, but his strange and slightly awkward manner, tempered by a sort of gentle slowness ends up leaving me mesmerized. In most horror movies, I'm always ready to bring the monster on and get the party started, but I never look forwarding to watching Talbot turn into the werewolf. I think everyone is pretty well acquainted with the story here. Man gets bitten by werewolf, man turns into werewolf, man suffers a tragic fate. The Wolf Man, though, succeeds in becoming much more than just the simple tale of a hairy monster. The inimitable Claude Rains lends the film character and class as Talbot's father. The lovely Evelyn Ankers makes a great leading lady in the form of Gwen Conliffe. Lugosi is of course terrific as the gypsy Bela, but the role is a minor one indeed. Maria Ouspenskaya is masterful as the gypsy woman Maleva who tries to warn Talbot and help him deal with the curse that suddenly consumes his life. Siodmak really provided a tight plot; there would be a number of sequels, but The Wolf Man is a completely self-contained movie of great power and meaning. There are a number of really interesting things about this movie. For instance, we never actually see Talbot's transformation from man to wolf - we see the legs change, but that is it. There is a scene toward the end where we witness the transformation from wolf to man, but you won't see any time-lapse treatment of the change from man to monster. Of much more interest to me is the fact that you don't hear a single reference to the moon in the entire film. Apparently, the transformation happens nightly to Talbot; there is nothing to indicate that a full moon plays any part at all. Thus, some of the core Wolf Man assumptions do not trace themselves back to the original movie. The commentary by film historian Tom Weaver, included on the DVD, is just superb. It's one of the most engaging commentaries I've heard. This guy is loaded to the gills with facts and trivia, and he barely pauses over the course of the film's 70 minutes, delivering one gem after another. He also asks some of the questions I ask when I watch the movie, and I love that. This isn't a commentary by some stuffy "expert." Weaver is indeed an expert, but at the same time he is one of us, a true fan of classic horror movies.
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Summary: Lon Chaney and Claude Rains together.
Review: The best thing about The Wolf Man is not the monster itself but the subtle progression of wolfish themes that are brought out from start to finish in the movie. Even though the much dated 'look' of the monster brings this Universal Classic offering a notch down it still happens to be the best screenplay of the Horror Classics. Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, son of Phantom of the Opera's Lon Chaney) shows that he has some of his father in him (not much facial contortions until the transformations) in his way of bringing darkness and madness to a character that is jolly, loving and smitten by local town kitten after he arrives at his fathers estate following a brief period of absence to take care of things. He learns the local legend of The Wolf Man in the village, how strange poems about the moon and wolfs bane can bring out the wolf in a man, the pentagram and how it can prevent werewolf attacks but also how if it appears on someone's skin then that person is the werewolf's next victim. All of these superstitions come true very quickly when Larry finds himself the centre of a strange murder mystery in the nearby woods where a gypsy man (Bela Lugosi, in a bit of an under-performance [he is only in it for a few minutes]) was found dead without his shoes on next to the corpse of a young woman who had been mauled by a wolf that Larry had killed with his cane after going to visit the psychic gypsies who had stopped there after passing through the village. Larry remembers killing a wolf but no wolf was ever found... ... later after a gypsy funeral Larry learns that there is a werewolf in the village and that the gypsy's are leaving but not before he meets the wife of the dead gypsy who tells him that the gypsy was really a werewolf and that Larry is cursed! Claude Rains (who also stars in The Invisible Man and the remake of Phantom of the Opera) has a supporting/lead role as Larry's father who means to prove his son's innocents and protect him from self harm as Larry falls slowly into despair with the knowledge that the superstitions are true and that he is a werewolf. Most lovers of the classics will probably recognise this as the catchiest of the lot probably because it was closer to more supernatural/natural horror than Frankenstein, Dracula, The Invisible Man or Phantom of the Opera. Here we learned about the moon and fascinating facts about the werewolf that have not often been repeated in any other werewolf movie. Also Lon Chaney is the real reason to watch this and along side Claude Rains is to die for, really. The documentaries and extras make this a 5 star package!
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