The Wolf Man

Rating:
Summary: A good movie if you don't like the horror movies of today.
Review: This is a good movie because the scenes of horror in this film are not as gorry as some of the horror films of today. I think that if you like to watch old classic horror this is a movie for you.

Rating:
Summary: This is one of the all-time great classic horror films.
Review: I thought this movie was excellent. Lon Chaney gave an excellent and convincing performance as a lonely man "cursed by the devil." The story and layout of the events keeps the movie going smooth and it kept me on the edge of my seat. More on Lon Chaney's performance. It is definitivly deserves to be ranked up with Karloff's and Lugosi's performance. Chaney Jr's acting in this movie has clearly paved the way for all of the werewolf movies from the early 1950's through the present, and probably into the future. I highly recommend this movie to everybody. It is one of the greatest horror movies ever.

Rating:
Summary: Classic Horror Still Holds Up Today
Review: What famous horror classic, panned by reviewers upon its initial release in December of 1941, looks better and better every year? THE WOLF MAN, starring Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy, Evelyn Ankers, and Lon Chaney Jr. as the hapless Larry Talbot.

The story is a familiar one: Larry, the son of esteemed Sir John (Rains) returns home to Wales after many years in America, is bitten by a werewolf (well played by Bela Lugosi), and becomes a werewolf himself. What's extraordinary is the fact that the film can be so effective today.

The biggest reason for this is the acting. Some classic films, pre-Actor's Studio, look pretty pathetic when it comes to realistic characterization. Not so THE WOLF MAN. Curt Siodmak's excellent screenplay (likened to a Greek Tragedy) provides a vehicle for the stars to be at their best, and, boy, do they shine: Rains a tower of strength as the proud father; Ankers hitting just the right note as the torn female lead; Maria Ouspenskaya as the Old Gypsey Woman whose words prefigure Larry's doom....

But the standout is Lon Chaney Jr. A definite mixed-bag as an actor, he is perfect here--and this is a role calling for the use of all human emotions (unlike later Wolf Man films, where Talbot's head-pounding becomes monotonous). In fact, seeing THE WOLF MAN recently has convinced me that Chaney would have made the ideal screen Phillip Marlow (and I'm not forgetting Bogie)--big, tough, surly, yet charming when need be (a highlight early in WOLF MAN is Larry's attempts at flirting with Ankers; Chaney does the surprisingly playful dialogue with just the right touch). There's no doubt that his performance would merit accolades even today.

This is not to say that there aren't problems in the film. The continuity is off in a number of places (Chany transforms into the Wolf Man at one point wearing a sleeveless undershirt; in the very next scene, he's wearing a neatly buttoned Dickey), and there's a scene or two that's completely inexplicable (e.g., why DOES the Wolf Man pass out when caught in that trap?)....

But overall, the pace, lighting, cinematography, excellent musical score, and strong story propel the film through these rough spots, the 70-minute ride leaving the viewer wanting more. For these reasons, THE WOLF MAN is a classic....and a video worth buying.

Rating:
Summary: Atmospheric and Terrifying - A Howl of a Good Movie!
Review: Released approximately 10 years after the success of DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN. THE WOLF MAN released in 1941 was the film responsible for catapulting Lon Chaney, Jr. to stardom. "THE LEGEND OF THE DAMNED: In many a distant village there exists the Legend of the Werewolf or Wolf Man...A legend of a strange mortal man with the hair and fangs of an unearthly beast...his hideous howl a dirge of death!", as quoted from the opening titles in the films' original trailer, THE WOLF MAN is a true classic of the horror genre, blessed with creepy, foggy atmospheres, beautiful London set pieces, and a superb supporting cast including Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Evelyn Ankers, Bela Lugosi, and Maria Ouspenskaya unforgettable as the Gypsy Woman. Highly original despite the WOLFMAN and FRANKENSTEIN sequels that would soon follow, and the score by Charles Previn, Frank Skinner, and Hans Salter makes the film all that more suspenseful. Documentary "Monster by Moonlight" hosted by none other than AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON director John Landis is as fascinating as the film commentary by Tom Weaver. You will not be disappointed with this one horror fans!

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Summary: Set the Standard for Creature Features
Review: When watching the cheesy horror movies of the 50s and 60s some may think that monster movies were always made that way. Not so, as you can see in this classic horror film. While there had been a number of silent movies made in the horror genre, and Dracula had already set the standard for vampire movies and Frankenstein had set the standard for monster movies, movies about beasts among the talkies were still a bit thin.

Lon Chaney managed to set a standard for creature films. Dracula was not a sympathetic character. He was cold and self-serving, and his morality apparently non-existent. He lived only to master others. Dr. Frankenstein was also not a sympathetic character. He robbed graves and attempted to play God. His monster, on the other hand, had some moments where we felt sympathetic, but we were relieved when he was killed, which happened often in the numerous movies in which he appeared in the 30s. The Wolf Man, on the other hand, has always been a victim of circumstances. Often, or even perhaps typically, a nice guy who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the case of Lon Chaney's Wolf Man, he was helping someone when he was bitten.

Bela Lugosi plays Bela, a bit of original name creation if there ever was one, who also happens to be a werewolf. Lugosi's part in this film is short, providing some background appearances and a small handful of lines before succumbing to Lon Chaney's silver-handled cane. While his presence is brief, it is ominous.

Maria Ouspenskaya is another standard setter as the stereotypical "old Gypsy" Maleva who tells fortunes that lead to people becoming werewolves or dying. She gets to utter the poem that explains even nice people can become wolves when the wolf bane blooms and the autumn moon is bright. Though there is no mention of a full moon, the implication is that the moon must be pretty close to full. I also found the reference to autumn unusual, as later werewolf movies generally allowed the werewolf to transform during any time of year.

The makeup transitions are marvelous. We only see Lon Chaney's legs for most of the transition to a werewolf, and the transition seems to take forever; actually its only seconds but who wants to look at a Lon Chaney's legs that long? The transition back to human from a werewolf is much better as we get to see Chaney's face throughout.

These early horror movies were well done because they leveraged minimal special effects with a spooky atmosphere and chiller music as opposed to lots of entrails and blood. Or course, in the early 30s color films had yet to be produced commercially so blood often had to be identified in the dialogue in any case. Everything about this movie from the music to the foggy moor and the ominous Gypsy woman all contribute to the air of doom surrounding the story, ultimately focusing on Lon Chaney.

Also watch for Claude Rains playing Lon Chaney's father, though the two are physically very different people, and a very young Ralph Bellamy whose presence is generally kept to standing in pensive poses with a pipe in his mouth.

Horror movies about creatures have a long history, and this movie is one of the best. The Wolf Man series continued to deteriorate over a lengthy period until reinvigorated by more recent movies such as "An American Werewolf in London" and "Wolf" with Jack Nicholson. However, the central character in each of these owes a debt to the portrayal of Lon Chaney.


Rating:
Summary: classic tragedy and dread
Review: The Wolfman was not the first werewolf movie and it certainly wasn't the last but it is the greatest and most moving. Lon Chaney Jr. plays Larry Talbot, a man who the film implies, left England as an angry teenager and has been living in America until his older brother's death. He's back at home at Talbot castle and wants to made ammends with his dad, Sir John, played by the always excellent Claude Raines. Raines and Chaney look nothing alike and it's impossible to really "believe" that hulking Chaney could be Raines's son (as a child I just assumed that Chaney's character must have been adopted) but it's okay just go with the story because it's great. Larry Talbot is a truly tragic figure. He is a good man and all he wants is to settle back into English life, get to know his father and get cozy with Gwen, the antique shop owner's daughter but fate gets in the way. He's bitten by a werewolf, not because he was out doing something stupid on the moor but because he bravely tried to save a woman's life. He doesn't want to harm a soul but he can't help what happens when the moon is full and the wolfbane blooms. Larry's suffering is acute, his transformation still packs a punch and the wonderufl moody atmosphere still entertains. Get your popcorn, settle back on the couch, turn out the lights and have a ball with this.

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.

Rating:
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!

Rating:
Summary: Chaney Jr. in His Best Performance
Review: This was one of the first horror films to use fog to make the movie more scary. Excellent performances by Claude Raines, Lon Chaney Jr., and the woman that played Maleva. Bela Lugosi had a small role as Bela who bites Chaney to begin his nightmare as a creature of the full moon. Great musical score adds to the eerie effects.

Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC THRILLER.
Review: In his star-making role, Lon Chaney, Jr. plays Larry Talbot, a young British heir, who returns to the mansion of his father (Claude Rains) after receiving a college education in America. In a small English village, Chaney meets Gwen Conliffe (Evelyn Ankers), the daughter the of an antique store owner. Inside the shop, he buys an ornate walking stick with a silver wolf's head and pentagram engraved on the handle. When Gwen recites an old gypsy folk rhyme (as seen in the editorial review above), Larry laughs off the rhyme as a silly superstition...Seeking to keep the second great horror boom going strong at the box office - horror flicks waned in popularity by 1937 - Universal decided to resurrect the forgotten monster from their 1935 THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON and transform him into THE WOLFMAN. It was a profitable gamble. Despite the fact that the film was released just two days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the movie was a smash hit at the box-office and it was Universal's biggest hit of the season. This was Chaney's favourite role, and his is considered the definitive version: it was his original creation. Rains does his usual fine work in role not entirely worthy of his talent, and the wonderful Maria Ouspenskaya is memorable as the wise old gypsy woman who foretells tragedy. The original working title of the film was DESTINY.