marshrydrob
The Wolf Man, starring Lon Chaney Junior; is one of my favorite movies. Universal, did a good job gathering talent for all of their horror films; and this film has one of the best gathering of talented actors I have ever seen.The moors, the shape shifting to an uncontrollable supernatural evil, the baying of a wolf; this is what I grew to learn; classic horror is all about.I have even seen the remake of the Wolf Man, and I feel that it never will compare to the original; the remake seemed to a little longer than it needed to be.With the introduction of Frankenstein and the Wolf Man, Universal; gave us all the idea of film crossovers; and this is what makes classic horror so memorable to this day.Good stories, good acting, and shared continuity; this and other classic horror films will appeal to anyone today.
mike48128
It almost plays out as a murder mystery until it becomes obvious to all that he becomes a "werewolf" after being infected by the gypsy woman's cursed son. She tries to help him deal with the problem several times. He wears the sign of the "pentagram" and can also "see" it in the palm of his next victim. A romance with the prettiest girl in town complicates matters, as well as his growing horror that he has become an unholy monster. It's so obvious what is coming after the "Wolfman Rhyme" is repeated at least 3 times. Filmed in the Universal "fog" that allowed most of the film to be shot indoors. Disappointing because it does not contain the facial transformation made famous in the sequels. Instead his legs and feet get real hairy, as does his chest, etc. He was hopelessly typecast, and a player in so many "B" pictures; he was an alcoholic most of his life. He knew he was a better actor than that. I feel his best work was in "Of Mice and Men" and "A&C Meet Frankenstein". He had the distinction of playing all 4 famous Universal Monsters, and reportedly "filled-in" for Glen Strange as "The Monster", in the fire scene of the A&C movie, after Glen broke his foot while filming.
O2D
I'm going to assume this is the first movie about werewolves and if it is, I think I finally understand why every werewolf movie has gypsies in it(I don't think Werewolf In A Girls Dormitory did). Although this is a good movie, there are a few things I don't get. Why does the werewolf who bites Larry just look like a regular wolf? They did the same thing in The Werewolf Of Washington and it just doesn't make any sense. The other thing is that the gypsies all ran out of town but the old lady mysteriously shows up in the woods to find Larry. It's a bit confusing. There are some other minor issues but they don't really affect the movie. Surprisingly, this may be the creepiest Lon Chaney ever was. He manages to pick up an engaged woman using extremely creepy lines that would have made anyone else call the police. Not bad for an 80 year old movie. Just make sure you watch this before you watch Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man, I didn't.
LeonLouisRicci
The Foggy Studio Sets, the Werewolf Lore, Lon Chaney Jr.'s Signature Role with a Tragic and Sympathetic Portrayal, and the "Gypsy" Woman's Heartfelt, Poetic Laments, are just a Few Things that "Famous Monsters" Fans Remember from the Final "Creature" in the Pantheon of Universal Studios Horror Movies.Coming 10 Years after "Frankenstein" (1931), this was not the First Attempt at a "Werewolf" Movie. "Werewolf of London" (1935) has that Honor. But this one made Folks Forget that Excellent Film. It's really just as Good as this but for Different Reasons.This is Monster Melodrama at its Best. Although Hopelessly Studio Bound, that bit of Clunkiness is Usually Overlooked, the Film Plays out as a Terrifying Tragedy of the Soul.There's a Good Supporting Cast with Claude Rains, Evelyn Ankers, Maria Ouspenskaya, Ralph Bellamy, and Patrick Knowles, with a Bela Lugosi Cameo. A Fine Musical Score, and the Jack Pierce Makeup (although sparingly shown) is Iconic.Despite its Dated Delivery when Viewed in the 21st Century, the Movie Maintains a Creep Factor and is Heavily Ladened with Gloom and Despair. There are Many Fine Scenes that Pop in and out of the Dialog that is Talky and Redundant.Overall, the Highlights Outshine the Weaknesses and its Place among the Classic Monster Movies is Well Founded and Deserving.
AD
