The Wolf Man

Claude Raines, Lon Chaney, Jr., Bela Lugosi & Maria Ouspenskaya came together in 1941 to produce Universal's monster classic, The Wolf Man! Nothing short of a masterpiece, the story goes like this. Young Master Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, jr.) has returned home to his family's estate in the countryside of England, where his Father, Sir John Talbot (Claude Raines) is eagerly awaiting his arrival. Once back home he meets Gwen Conliffe, the daughter of Conliffe, the Antique dealer. Obviously attracted to her Larry will do just about anything to get her to go out on a date with him. While in her father's antique store, he notices a handsome walking stick. Quite nice actually. It's an ebony cane with a Solid silver handle that bears the likeness of a wolf & a pentagram. Curious about it's meaning, Larry asks Gwen about it's significance & she recites the age old saying, "even a man who is pure in heart & says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms & the autumn moon is bright". Brushing it off as nothing more than silly superstition, Larry tries to get Gwen to go out with him on a date that evening. She holds her ground & says "no". Well Larry is nothing if not persistent and he tells her he'll pick her up at the shop that evening @ 8pm. 8pm arrives as does Larry. Much to his surprise, so does Gwen only, she's brought a friend, Jennie & she's the one who's more interested in Larry...at least for the moment that is. Off they go, the three of them to have their fortunes' told by the Gypsy caravan that's only just arrived that night. Jennie goes first & is treated to a reading by none other than Bela (Bela Lugosi) the Gypsy fortuneteller. Legend has it that; the werewolf sees the pentagram in the hand of his next victim. Upon receiving her hand for the reading Bela sees the pentagram & tells Jennie to go & go quickly but to come back tomorrow night for another reading. All this while Larry & Gwen have been getting aquatinted. As such they are unaware of the peril Jennie has found herself in until they hear her screams for help. Larry runs to her aid & kills the wolf with the silverheaded cane he got from Gwen. However, not before the wolf bites him rather badly in the chest. Gwen comes running to Larry's aide & screams for help. It is here that the Gypsy woman, Maleva (Maria Ouspenskaya) helps them with her carriage by taking them to Larry's father's estate. Once there, Larry is helped to his bed & the chief constable & other important men are summoned to the scene of the crime. Alas, poor Jennie is dead and shockingly, by her side no wolf is found only the dead body of Bela, the Gypsy fortuneteller. The next morning it is surmised that both Bela & Larry went to Jennie's aid & Bela must have gotten in the way as Larry went to slay the wolf. In disbelief that he killed a man & not a wolf, Larry bares his chest to show the Dr. & constable his wound. Much to his surprise the wound is missing & the spiral into the madness of Lycanthropy begins!

Audio:

2.0 Mono platform provided While the score was digitally remastered, the audio is still only presented in 2.0. While it does not take anything away from the film, it would have been nice to hear the sounds of the night all about me.

Video:

1.33:1 full frame presentation. The image is a beautiful rendering however; the film shows it's age with a great deal of flecks & white markings that dance up & down the sides of the film from time to time. It doesn't take away at all from the watchability of the film. It's only mentioned because of this review. I wouldn't even consider it an imperfection. If anything it adds to the feeling of nostalgia this film brings.

Extras:

Loaded disc alert! A very entertaining & informative documentary is included entitled Monster by Moonlight: The making of the Wolf Man., Feature Commentary provided by Tom Weaver, Wolf Man Archives, production notes, cast & filmmaker bios, A really cool trailer & web links.

Overall:

The Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection is incredible. In particular, the Wolf Man stands out as one of the best entries in the studios' history. With the emphasis changed from storytelling to sex, sex & violence, horror movies have become less about storytelling & more about retreading the 1970's slasher era into the defining aspect of the genre. However, Universal has done the genre right & delivers the best horror movies ever mad, net to Hammer films that is. The Wolf Man is not only a great fun movie to watch it's also like bringing your parents' childhood's to life all over again. If you don't already have the discs, run don't walk to your nearest retailer & pick it up. You won't believe how much fun you'll have all over again! I just can't wait till they release the whole series!


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42...Level 42