“Even a man who is pure at heart
and says his prayers by night
may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms
and the autumn moon is bright.” (The Wolfman)
This is the well-known saying that is at the heart of the 1941 Universal Studios film The Wolfman. This film completes the quartet of monsters that are at the heart of the Universal horror franchise: the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula, The Mummy, and the Wolfman. While there were certainly other creatures and monsters in the films in this time period, these are the four most prominent.
While we see science run out of control and ancient evils in the other films, in The Wolfman, we view a story of tragedy that is focused on an ordinary man, Larry Talbot, who is swept up in unfortunate events beyond his control. Because he is bitten by a werewolf while trying to save a girl and lives, Larry Talbot is fated to become such a beast himself.
The director and producer was George Waggner, and the writer was Kurt Siodmak. Most of our contemporary views about werewolf behavior do not come from ancient traditions or medieval European beliefs but from the mythology that Siodmak created for this movie. Siodmak created the idea that the time of the full moon is when a werewolf takes it form and that to become one, a person must be bitten by a werewolf and survive.
(http://mrostinienglish.wikispaces.com)
More importantly, he included elements of tragedy, of a man fated to murder and to be destroyed, despite his desire to be a good person. The incantation the gypsy woman Maleva intones over Larry Talbot after his death illustrates this theme:
“The way you walked was thorny through no fault of your own, but as the rain enters the soil, the river enters the sea, so tears run to a predestined end. Now you will have peace for eternity.” (The Wolfman)
Siodmak also addressed contemporary issues, specifically the idea of a star marking the next victim of a werewolf, much like a star marking the Jewish people of Europe by the Nazis. Siodmak was a German Jew who had been successful as a writer but had to flee Germany with the take over by the Nazis. While the reference is not direct, it is still a clear metaphor for the horrors of the Nazis. The film demonstrates that evil is both natural and human created.
(http://allencentre.wikispaces.com/)
In addition to excellent writing, the cast was also of the very best. Along side the star Lon Chaney Jr. were Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya, and Evelyn Ankers. Jack Pierce, as in the other main Universal horror films, created the unforgettable makeup that is the foundation for all other filmic and literary werewolves.
It was a film that was excellent in every level of production, and it maintains its excellence today.
If you have never seen this film, I recommend it highly!
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Another excellent review. I have not seen this movie, at least I don’t remember. But the cast is excellent so I probably should try renting it. Thanks for posting.
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You are very welcome!
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An excellent write. Thanks for the background- I never knew all that.. I felt so sorry for Larry Talbot. He was so tortured in mind and conscience. This is one of my favorites of the old horror flicks which were masterpieces in plot. Loved the movie. Cheers
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You are very welcome!
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When it comes to men’s
facial hair fashions,
Wolfman was decades
ahead of his time 😎
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Yes!!
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Yes, another classic. I also admire The Werewolf of London and the Oliver Reed film The Curse of the Werewolf. But this is great.
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Hello John, and they are also excellent.
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This gives great insight into this movie, Charles. A superb post. Sharing.
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Thank you so much!
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Nice. One of my favorites qualifies more as a thriller but it winds childhood, religious zealotry and mental illness into a terrifying and claustrophobic fall, because the dynamic is plausible. I think I’ll go howl with the wolves now.. Cheers. 🙂
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Cheers, howling sounds like a wonderful idea!
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Interesting to note that in an earlier version of the script, it was left ambiguous if he really transformed or if it was a figment of his imagination (though apparently there would’ve been a scene of him looking at his own reflection). Fortunately they changed that. Siodmak also originally had Larry as a mechanic whose only reason for being there was to install the telescope, and was not returning to his ancestral home.
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Andrew, thank you! Those changes show the importance of revisions!
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You’re welcome. I also recall there was a scene filmed at the festival where Larry wrestles a bear and wins, but it was cut.
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I don’t think I’ve seen this werewolf version. As I was reading your post, I did wonder how far this particular archetypal story goes.
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The myth of werewolves is ancient, but many of the modern beliefs come directly from this movie.
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Loved this one too!
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Thank you!
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Haven’t seen it since I was a kid. I loved the Universal horror flicks back then, and The Wolfman was one of my faves!
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Yes, they were excellent.
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Thaank you for the review, with great insight, Charles. Love most of the old horror films. The posters itself are fantastic. Best wishes, Michael
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Michael, you are very welcome.
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:_))
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This was a great movie.
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Jennie, thank you!
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You’re welcome, Charles!
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Yes, I’ve seen all these vintage films in your series. All classics.
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Wonderful!
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