There's undeniable magic within the staid format.
The Wolf Man (1941)
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Reviews Counted: 26
Fresh: 22
Rotten:4
Average Rating: 7.2/10
Runtime: 71 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: After returning home to his English village, Larry Talbot gets attacked by a werewolf in the forest. Although he kills the beast, Larry realizes he has received a bite during the struggle -- a bite that passes along the monster's curse to... After returning home to his English village, Larry Talbot gets attacked by a werewolf in the forest. Although he kills the beast, Larry realizes he has received a bite during the struggle -- a bite that passes along the monster's curse to him. Maleva, the gypsy mother of the dead wolfman, comes to Larry's aid and tells him that he too will now transform into a werewolf each time there's a full moon. While the story sounds ridiculous to Larry, he starts to believe it once more brutal killings occur in the village. Neither his father, Sir John Talbot, nor the woman Larry loves are willing to believe the truth... but soon they're forced to confront the nature of Larry's curse as well. [More]
Starring: Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles
Starring: Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya, Evelyn Ankers, J. M. Kerrigan, Fay Helm, Lon Chaney, Forrester Harvey
Director: George Waggner
Director: George Waggner
Screenwriter: Curt Siodmak
Producer: George Waggner
Composer: Charles Previn, Hans J. Salter, Frank Skinner
Reviews for The Wolf Man
The Wolf Man is a compactly-knit tale of its kind, with good direction and performances by an above par assemblage of players, but dubious entertainment.
A stodgy Universal thriller from 1941, redeemed by a name-heavy cast and by Lon Chaney Jr.'s lumbering, affable performance in the title role.
In spite of its age, the emotional impact, and sheer terror hasn't lost its punch with great performances, and a tragic ending.
It's a good, solid film, held together by Chaney's appealing performance and great supporting players like Lugosi as Bela the gypsy who turns into a wolf.
Without any build-up either by the scriptwriter or director, he is sent onstage, where he, looks a lot less terrifying and not nearly as funny as Mr. Disney's big, bad wolf.
It's not as boring as Dracula, but not nearly as inventive as, say, Bride of Frankenstein.
The key to getting some good, fun chills out of a silly old movie like The Wolf Man is atmosphere: Watch after midnight. Turn off the lights. Light a few candles. Don't let your feet dangle off the edge of the couch or bed.
A wonderfully campy horror film that made a star of Lon Chaney Jr. Despite its hokiness, it stills holds up.
Apesar de ter se transformado em um personagem trágico e fascinante nos filmes posteriores da série (com seu constante desejo de morrer), Larry Talbot é apenas um monstro convencional e nada interessante neste primeiro capítulo.
Latest News for The Wolf Man
March 20, 2008:
Get an Eyeful of Benicio del Toro as The Wolfman!
Joe Johnston's remake of The Wolfman won't be arriving in theaters until next year, but why wait 'til then to get a look at Benicio del Toro in all that makeup? More...
February 08, 2008:
Weekly Ketchup: Joe Johnston takes on The Wolf Man, and Rob Zombie may take on Conan
This week's Ketchup features the return of Greg Dean Schmitz to the world of movie development news. He's been covering movies in development for over ten years, and now brings... More...
February 05, 2008:
Joe Johnston Takes the Reins of Universal's Wolf Man
Mere days after being left at the altar by (ex-) director Mark Romanek, Universal's The Wolf Man has found itself a new helmer. More...
January 30, 2008:
The Wolf Man Needs a Director
Universal can't catch a break: first, the studio has to spackle over Brad Pitt's last-minute departure from State of Play, and now, weeks before filming was scheduled to begin,... More...
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by: Timothy Coons 11/20/06
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