The Wolf Man

Rating:
Summary: Movies before continuity
Review: "The Wolf Man" is a classic from the Universal Studios monster collection. When we think of werewolves, we think of unfortunate souls who look like Lon Chaney Jr. in his makeup. Even with the more modern werewolf films like "American Werewolf in London" and "The Howling," this 1941 film still stands up. Gore is not a necessity for a good film.

Lon Chaney, Jr. plays Larry Talbot, the son of Claude Rains. He was in America, but has returned to England to take his place as heir after the death of his brother. From here, he becomes victim to the werewolf and fights the beast within him. In other werewolf movies, Chaney tends to look like he is going to cry. He still gives us the tormented look, but before the encounter, we actually see him more upbeat.

Although it is a great film, it is not without error. To borrow from Coleridge, you have to apply a willful suspension of disbelief to thoroughly enjoy this. In other words, don't focus on the little details that don't quite add up. For instance, when the famous Bela Lugosi transforms, why is he a wolf and not a wolf-man? When Lon Chaney changes the first time, when did he put on the shirt? Ignore the little things and enjoy the film.

I would recommend seeing this film.

Rating:
Summary: Great Classic ! Where is the missing footage ?
Review: Thi has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid !! If some may have ever noticed, there missing scenes ! Lon fought with a bear at the gypsies carnival ! He broke it's jaw to win. (It was a wrestling bear) Also one change into the Wolfman scene is gone.(it was when his dad tied him to in the chair, took the cain and went to the hunt. Why arent these scenes restored ?

Rating:
Summary: The first break-through in make-up
Review: The Wolf Man (1941) was Hollywood's first breakthrough in theatrical make-up dealing with latex appliances and tremendous amounts of hair. Legendary make-up artist Jack Pierce had not enabled Boris Karloff to achieve a wide variety of emotion, and the feelings of the monster were difficult to read. However, the excellent actor Lon Chaney, Jr. was able to project and deliver exactly what the Wolf Man felt and was doing with his face. The film was not only a breakthrough in make-up; it was the inspiration for many werewolf films to come in appearace, signs, and weaknesses of a werewolf. Even sci-fi channel's Project Metalbest featured a werewolf weakened by silver.

The film begins in Lanwelly Village, Wales, England. Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) returns to his ancestral home, where his father Sir John Talbot (Claude Reins) waits for him. John Jr., "Larry's" brother had recently died, and Sir John has asked his son to be the inheritant of the Talbot estate. After working with his father's telescope, Larry sees Gwen Conliffe (Evelyn Ankers), the young daughter of an antique shop owner. Larry stops by to ask Gwen to go with him to a gypsy carnival, and purchases a silver cane with a wolf's head. Gwen tells Larry a poem that would be repeated even in the cartoon Alvin and the Chipmunks meet the Wolfman:

Even a man who is pure at heart
and says his prayers by night
may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms
and the autum moon is bright.

At the gypsy carnival, Gwen, Larry, and Gwen's friend Jenny go to the fortune tellers Maleva and her son Bela (Bela Lugosi). Bela tells Jenny to run quickly, and Larry sees her killed by a wolf. He beats it to death, but in the process is bitten. The next morning, Larry meets Gwen's fiance` Frank Andrews (Patric Knowles) and the gypsy Maleva, who warns him he is a werewolf. This fact is revealed that night, when Larry transforms.

Larry Talbot is a very sympathetic character. He wishes to do good, but is forced to do evil. Sir John, Larry's father, must lose his son, and I can feel very sorry for the Wolf Man. This is an ideal family horror film. It is an undisputed classic, and Universal made 1 million dollars from it.

Rating:
Summary: The first great make-up film
Review: The Wolf Man was Universal Studios second werewolf film. 1936's Werewolf of London had been a start, but the actor refused the latex appliances and excessive yak hair in the original design. But Lon Chaney, Jr., who would soon become a legend like his father, agreed to the long make-up hours, and gave a hair-raising preformance. While the film may no longer be frightening, it is ideal family fun.
Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) returnes to his father's estate in Wales. Sir John Talbot (Claude Reins), Larry's father, welcomes him with open arms and has him trinker with his telescope. While looking through the telescope, Larry spies a beautiful woman Gwen Conliffe (Evelyn Ankers). He invites her to a gypsy carnival that night, and she accepts, on the condition her friend Jenny accompanies them. The gypsy Bela (Bela Lugosi), revealed to be a werewolf, attacks Larry and kills Jenny. Using his silver cane, Larry kills Bela without knowing he has killed a man and a wolf. His wound mysteriously heals overnight. Gwen, engaged, is caught in the typical love triangle between her fiance` and Larry. Larry that night learns that he is a werewolf, and kills the gravedigger that night. He is aided by an old gypsy. The film's ending is sad, unfair, and typical for a horror film.
Lawrence Talbot. Half man and half wolf. He is one monster where you can feel his pain. He does not want to be evil in any way, and tries to help his loved ones by warning them of his condition. But, they do not believe him, and Sir John must suffer the consequence of losing his son. Larry, however, somehow survives, and continues to protect humanity from himself in future films.
The Wolf Man make-up was the first make-up dealing in rubber and yak hair appliances where the actor could express emotion through the make-up. Jack Peirce failed to do this on the Frankenstein Monster, who looked believable, but could not express real emotion. Sadly, The Wolf Man make-up briliance was only seen again in Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man. The next two films had the Wolf Man in too limited screen time to be able to see him enough. Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein, the Wolf Man's last preformance, had make-up where Lon Chaney, Jr. could not project emotion. Make-up where emotion could not be seen would continue until 1968 with Planet of the Apes. Lon Chaney, Jr. had the honor of being the only actor to play the Wolf Man, and he gives a beautiful preformance.

Rating:
Summary: More like 2 1/2 stars
Review: Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) is bitten by a werewolf and thereafter becomes one himself whenever the moon is full. This film exemplifies the terrific atmosphere that distinguished so many of the Universal horror movies of the 30s and 40s. The performances by a number of fine character actors are terrific. Unfortunately, the film has a major flaw--the title monster itself. It just isn't very scary... This could have been one of the all-time classic horror films if they hadn't presented such a wimpy monster. What were they thinking?

Rating:
Summary: This is a classic?
Review: It's badly acted and badly directed. The script is passable. The only real shining light in it is Claude Rains. He makes the rest of the cast look better with every scene he is in.If you're looking for a classic monster flick, might I suggest Dracula, The Mummy, Frankenstein, or any of the silent monster flicks. If you're looking for a classic werewolf flick...Well, I hate to say it, but there never has been one. Though you could give the Howling and American Werwolf in London a try.

Rating:
Summary: An essential purchase
Review: The Wolf Man is required in any self-respecting horror fan's video library.

Rating:
Summary: Lon Chaney Jr. Really Barks!
Review: Fans of old-style horror can't afford to miss THE WOLFMAN, but even so this highly regarded film does not really live to its reputation--largely due to leading man Lon Chaney Jr. For all his Hollywood pedigree, Chaney Jr. was at best a mediocre actor, and he is absurdly miscast here as the wolf-bitten, shape-shifting son of English aristocrat Claude Rains.

Fortunately, THE WOLFMAN has a lot more to offer than just Lon Chaney: the famous special effects, although seriously dated, are still quite a bit of fun to watch, and the supporting cast is wonderful, featuring Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy, Bela Lugosi, and in her most famous role the always memorable Maria Ouspenskaya. The art direction and other production values are also very nice. If you don't expect too much you'll enjoy it!

Rating:
Summary: The best
Review: It was great. A wman is bitten by a werewolf and becomes one.

Rating:
Summary: Lon Chaney's first and best
Review: "The Wolf Man" remains my favorite horror film. Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney. Jr.) returns to his father Sir John's (Claude Reins) estate. He meets a young woman (Don't know the actor) and goes with her to a festival. The werewolf Bela (Dracula himself, Bela Lugosi) bites Larry. At night, he becomes a werwolf. The poem, silver, wolfsbane, foggy scenes, this film is perfect. Jak Peirce, responsible for the classic makeup of Boris Karloff's "Frankenstein" and the sinister makeup of "Werewolf of London" created the famous makeup of the Wolf Man. Too bad his makeup for "House of Dracula" was not as good as the original.