The Wolf Man (1941) User Reviews (255)

The Werewolf as we know it...

[jluis1984 · 8/10 · 24 April 2006]

Universal Studios had an impressive list of successes in the horror genre starting in 1931 with Tod Browning's "Dracula". The myth of the werewolf, was firstly adapted in 1935 in "Werewolf of London", but the movie failed to get the public's attention in the same way as the "Dracula" and "Frankenstein" series of movies. However, the moon shined for the wolf in 1941, when a second attempt was done with a completely new story. "The Wolf Man" had a great reception and soon was considered among the finest of the Universal Studios' movies of that era and it is probably the last of the Classics as the horror movies of the 40s started to have lower budget and production values.

"The Wolf Man" is a classic tragedy where a man becomes a beast that must kill every time the full moon shines on the sky. Lon Chaney Jr. is Larry Talbot, who returns home to Wales after spending years in the U.S.. Not only he'll have to adapt to the life in countryside and improve his relationship with his father (Claude Rains); now he'll face the curse of the werewolf after been bitten by the gypsy Bela (Bela Lugosi).

I have always thought that the previous "Werewolf of London" was a vastly superior film in terms of acting, direction and even make-up; however, the film's plot is not captivating and in the end not very attractive. On the other hand, Curt Siodmack's script for "The Wolf Man" is a brilliant masterpiece of horror and fantasy. So perfect that it makes up for all the film's other flaws, as it has an unnatural charm that is simply mesmerizing.

Like a Greek tragedy, the saga of Larry Talbot and his curse works in so many levels that is no surprise that it is the film that not only type-casted Chaney, but also serve as basis for all the future werewolf films. Siodmack basically creates the Werewolf myths out of thin air and gives them form with masterful care. Who can forget Maleva's (Maria Ouspenskaya) words? The "Wolf Man" rhyme is now one of the most famous quotes in film history.

Claude Rains is superb as Sir John Talbot, and gives the role the dignity that requires. Probably Lon Chaney Jr. had a limited range as an actor, but he was the perfect Larry Talbot with his sad looks and overall tragic appearance. Against all odds, Chaney embodied the wolf man and made the part almost mythical. The rest of the cast was definitely not as convincing as those great actors; however, Maria Ouspenskaya and Bela Lugosi are terrific as the gypsies who will play an important part in Talbot's future.

Jack Pierce's make-up is definitely the other star in this movie. The legendary monster maker created a piece that is now considered legendary. The wolf man's make-up is more beast-like and primal than the subtle one that Henry Hull used in "Werewolf of London", but that is because both werewolves are very different between them. While Hull's character was the darkest side of his persona, Chaney's wolf man is a beast that posses his body, and Jack Pierce captured that essence with the limited technology of his time, creating an immortal masterpiece in make-up history.

"The Wolf Man" may not be a perfect film, but the captivating storyline and the mystique surrounding it definitely have earned this movie a huge reputation as one of the best of the Universal Studios films of the 30s-40s era. While there may be better werewolf movies out there, this one will always be remembered as THE definitive werewolf classic. 8/10

The Rising Of the Moon

[telegonus · 8/10 · 31 October 2001]

As werewolf movies go The Wolf Man is probably the best. It was written by Curt Siodmak and directed by George Waggner. The script, though it gets the job done, has altogether too many wolf and dog references in it for comfort, many in the first fifteen minutes. A horror movie should never at the outset tell you that it is a horror movie. The title and and cast often give this away anyway, I grant, not to mention lobby cards and reviews. But the idea is or should be to draw the viewer in slowly, enabling him to acclimatize himself to the people and atmosphere so that the horror can, as it were, creep up on him. For all its excellent qualities The Wolf Man does not do this. Otherwise it works fairly nicely.

A thoroughly Americanized Larry Talbot arrives at the estate of his British father, Sir John (A baronet? I wish they'd made this clear). Aside from the fact that he is three times larger than his father and altogether different in temperament (shy and fumbling as opposed to assertive and incisive), the two hit it off well enough. Larry has returned from the States due to the death of his brother, and Sir John clearly wants Larry to take his place (whatever it is) in the village. Larry spies on a young woman through a telescope (Sir John is an astronomer), and goes to her shop, where he buys a cane, with a wolf's head, and asks her for a date. She agrees, but when they meet later on she brings a friend, just in case Larry gets too, well, wolfish. It is autumn and the gypsies are in town. Larry his girl and her friend go to a fortune teller to get their palms read. The palm-reader sees death in the friend's hand and urges her to go. Later on, in the form of a wolf, he attacks and kills the girl, and is in turn killed by Larry with his cane; but Larry is bitten by the wolf, which guarantees that he will become one, too. In time Larry does indeed become a werewolf, but as with everything else in his life only goes half-way. While the animal that attacked him was a wolf, Larry becomes only partly wolf in appearance, though when the transformation occurs he is wholly wolf in spirit, yet walks on two human, albeit furry legs. He is more or less adopted by the dead Gypsy fortune teller's mother, who looks after him, and has a way of turning up in her wagon at appropriate moments. She also recites a poem about werewolfery (or lycanthropy if you will), which I shall not repeat here and which everyone in the village seems to know by heart. Sir John, being a man of science, does not believe that his son is a true werewolf but suffering from some form of mental illness. Yet when the moon rises Larry turns into a werewolf and goes on rampages.

The Wolf Man is quite well made on what appears to be, for its studio, a generous budget; fog swirls everywhere, and the landscape is dominated by gnarled, leafless trees. It's tone is evocative of the Sherlock Holmes films, though not of course the content. There are so many good and bad things in the picture they're difficult to enumerate, and are often jumbled together. Of the bad, the casting of Americans Evelyn Ankers and Ralph Bellamy as Brits. Neither give a bad performance, but they don't belong in this film. It's difficult enough to keep one's disbelief in suspension with Lon Chaney on hand, but the addition of these two is a bit too much. Claude Rains, as Sir John, is a great asset to the movie, giving it a touch class and gravitas. His occasionally supercilious manner is in keeping in with the part he plays; and though he doesn't look at all like Chaney's father, he acts it. Maria Ouspenskaya and Bela Lugosi make marvelous gypsies, and they play their parts sincerely, with none of the hamming one might expect. Chaney's Larry Talbot became, after his Lennie in Of Mice and Men, his most famous role. He is sincere if somewhat phlegmatic in his 'normal' scenes, and early on, before the wolf-bite, lacks the joi de vivre he ought to have, as he is supposed to be a carefree young man. Chaney never seemed carefree. On the other hand his tragic, deeply lined face, sad eyes and prematurely middle-aged appearance suggests a troubled soul,--not an easy thing to fake--and in this regard he is magnificent in the part. His worry, over the prospect of another werewolf transformation, and the damage it will cause, appears genuine, and to a degree seems to come at times from outside the character he is playing, which as we know Chaney had serious personal problems, is a case of art imitating life, and the result is a kind of sad serendipity.

The Definitive Midnight Monster.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 4 October 2010]

Out of Universal Pictures comes The Wolf Man, directed by George Waggner and written by Curt Siodmak. It stars Lon Chaney Jr, Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Bela Lugosi, Patric Knowles, Maria Ouspenskaya & Evelyn Ankers.

"Even a man who is pure in heart-and says his prayers by night-may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms-and the autumn moon is bright"

Larry Talbot (Chaney) returns to his ancestral home in Britain after learning of the death of his brother. Looking to solidify his relationship with his father, Sir John (Rains), Larry also starts to fall for local antique shop girl Gwen Conliffe (Ankers). While purchasing a silver wolf headed walking stick from her he hears of the werewolf legend; about how a man turns into a wolf at certain times of the year. Later that night Larry takes Gwen and her friend Jenny (Fay Helm) to a gypsy fête out in the countryside, from where Jenny then gets separated from the other two and is attacked by a wolf. Hearing her cries Larry comes to her aid and kills the animal, but during the mêlée he was bitten and soon he finds that the legend of the werewolf is not merely hearsay.

In 1935 Universal Pictures were still on a crest of a wave with their forays into horror. However, their release of Werewolf Of London was met with poor box office returns and critical indifference. Rightly seen as a fine film now, it was back then deemed too similar to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931 Paramount Pictures) and some way away from the tone of Frankenstein, Dracula & The Mummy. It seemed that there was no cinematic life in some poor lycanthrope. Forward 6 years then, and springing from the brain of Curt Siodmak (Wolf Man has no direct literary source), a legacy was about to be born.

The Wolf Man, the character, in the pantheon of Univeral Monsters, is as iconic as his stable mates who blazed the trail 10 years previously. The film itself is a classic of sorts, but a long way from being a truly great movie. Good? Yes of course. Just not as awe inspiring as the legacy would have us believe. Waggner's movie is shot on a B movie budget, with himself only being a modest studio director: lets be honest here, he wasn't, for example, fit to shine the boots of Messrs Whale & Browning. His direction is competent here but devoid of any visual flourishes or boldness of vision. There's also many flaws to be found on revisits, not just the continuity errors that scream out that a rush edit happened, but also in instances within the story. Notably; we are first asked to believe that the small in stature Claude Rains has sired the oak like Lon Chaney; then the big question of how come when Lugosi's wolf attacks Jenny, it is actually a wolf, but Chaney's is actually a wolf-man? Yes indeed.

But The Wolf Man is adored by many in spite of its flaws. And not just by people like me, who after viewing the film as a child was too scared to look out into the garden at nighttime for fear of some hirsute beastie coming to get me! As noted, the budget was B level, but there's nothing B level about the cast here. Rains, Bellamy & Ouspenskaya were class acts. Lugosi = respect and Chaney, with his slick transformation from amiable gent to tortured soul, put a marker down in horror cinema that is still remembered fondly today. The sets too belie the budget; where the Universal crew come up with a Gothic cobblestoned village, bordered by a moonlit and misty forest, where the gloom is only punctured by the glow of shotgun bearing villagers flaming torches. Now that's classic Universal alright, atmosphere goes a long way, and The Wolf Man has it in spades. Credit too has to go to Siodmak, two fold in fact. Most tellingly on why we forgive Wolf Man its problems is that the story is such a good one, so good in fact that most of it has been believed to be based on archetypal legend. Then there's the fact that our protagonist here is an average Joe, not an ignorant scientist or a cursed creature with dodgy family ties, an affable guy who whilst committing an act of bravery is doomed for his trouble. It's a nice veer from the norm of Universal Monsters.

Also impressive is the makeup by Jack Pierce and the lap dissolve effects by John P. Fulton. Dated now for sure, but the artistry shown by these guys back then is nothing short of amazing. Another point of reference to Chaney's eagerness to deliver was that he went all in for Pierce to work his magic. Henry Hull in Werewolf Of London six years earlier refused to succumb to the full makeup treatment. Chaney did, and immortality was secured as he turned into a horror star overnight. The Wolf Man was a big hit with audiences, so much so that the character would appear in 4 further movies as part of a creature feature ensembles (House Of Frankenstein et al); with Chaney playing him/it every time. Odd that such an iconic monster never actually had his own sequel really! Just one of the many strange and interesting things attached to this flawed but truly enjoyable movie. 8/10

Insert Clever Werewolf Joke Here

[Shield-3 · 16 September 2001]

It wasn't the first werewolf movie (that honor goes to `Werewolf of London'), but it was `The Wolf Man' that gives us most of the werewolf mythology we still cling to today.

As with most classics, `The Wolf Man' draws its power from a combination of elements. First, there's Curt Siodmak's plausible and intelligent script. Siodmak said he was given a title, a star and a start date, and from there he consolidated and invented the werewolf myth into a cohesive, logical format.

Then there's the actors, a veritable who's who of 1930s-40s Universal horror. Lon Chaney joins the pantheon on great horror actors on this one, playing the tormented Larry Talbot. He manages to give Larry a tragic quality, a man trapped by a curse he doesn't understand or deserve. Chaney also generates considerable chemistry with the luminous Evelyn Ankers, which is surprising considering the rumors that the two practically hated each other. And then there's the always-excellent Claude Rains, who doesn't look very much like Lon Chaney's father, but still exudes quiet authority and authenticity.

Topping off the whole package is a healthy dollop of atmosphere: foggy forests, Gothic mansions and crypts, colorful Gypsy encampments. Each bit of design enhances the sense of mystery and dread that surround Larry Talbot, and burns `The Wolf Man' into your memory.

I'll never walk a foggy forest at night again!

Moody Tragic Werewolf Legend - A Universal Horror Classic

[ShootingShark · 6/10 · 21 August 2005]

Larry Talbot, a prodigal son, returns to his father's country estate. Following a visit with a friend to a gypsy fortune-teller, he is bitten by a werewolf and cursed to become one himself. Confused, frightened and unsure of what is happening to him, tragedy awaits ...

The Wolf Man is a classic Universal horror movie, every bit as influential as Dracula or Frankenstein, with a great gloomy script by Curt Siodmak and memorable performances from Chaney, the gorgeous Ankers, Lugosi and especially Ouspenskaya. Although it is predated by another film (Stuart Walker's 1935 Werewolf Of London), it pretty much invented the cinematic werewolf legend, which for me has always been one of horror's most interesting themes, both visually in terms of special effects and tricks and emotionally - the duality of man, only with scares. The movie works wonderfully on both levels; it's full of terrific moody fog-filled sets and shadows and Jack Pierce's famous makeup job on Chaney is tremendous, but it also deals with the tragedy on a grand Shakespearian level - Larry is doomed from the moment he is bitten and is as much an empathetic victim as a prowling monster. The film spawned three direct sequels and has influenced literally hundreds of horror films since (particularly An American Werewolf In London). A great old scary movie.

The Definitive Werewolf Classic!

[Johnny_Shannow · 10/10 · 6 November 2005]

I can't praise this movie highly enough, it is not only the best of the universal monsters series and one of the greatest werewolf films ever made certainly the definitive treatment, but also one of my all time favourite movies. Lon Chaney turns in an outstanding credible performance worthy of his father the legendary man of a thousand faces, actually the entire cast is outstanding, Claude Rains, Maria Ouspenskaya and Bela Lugosi.

The script by Curt Siodmak is marvellous, borrowing from genuine werewolf folklore and adding its own. The plot device of having the werewolf see the pentagram on the palm of it's next victim is truly ingenious and I don't know why it was never utilised in any of the sequels or any other werewolf films for that matter.

The score by Frank Skinner and Han J Salter is so haunting, and has a nice rich romantic sound to it, especially the cues used in the gypsy camp, if only The Wolf Man weren't a b movie it probably would have won an Oscar.

Lastly it must be said that Jack Pierce's make up and John P Faulton's werewolf transformations really go along way in making this film, who could ever forget the image of the wolf man walking through the fog shrouded forest in search of fresh victims.

Lon Chaney Jr. is The Wolf Man

[jhigginbotham151 · 7/10 · 9 May 2014]

The Wolf Man came out when monster movies where becoming B movies, no longer where they high class productions like Dracula or Frankenstein. The Wolf Man however is actually treated very much like Dracula or Frankenstein, it feels well made and its got the same love and care from Director George Waggner... its just a shame it doesn't quite reach the heights of those films.

What do I love about The Wolf Man?, Lon Chaney Jr., thats the main reason. The man gives such an honest portrayal of a man going mad with having to come to terms with, not becoming a werewolf, but the fact he has killed several innocent people without even knowing it. His change from kind, caring son to a scared, worried shell of his former self is fascinating to watch and manages to upstage the performance of the 'star' Claude Rains. The make-up by Jack Pierces is also fantastic, not as iconic or maybe as interesting as the Frankenstein monster but still very good. Claude Rains gives the film its high quality feel. Just like John Saxon in A Nightmare On Elm Street, Rains gives the film some much appreciated star power (Rains also portrayed The Invisible Man in the 1933 film of the same name). The atmosphere is also really nicely created. Lots of fog, desolate woods and tons of shadows, every scene in the woods has an ominous vibe which works so well.

What I don't love however is that we never get to see a full transformation sequence, we get to see him go from wolf to man but not man to wolf, the only thing we see is his feet change which although could have set up a brilliant reveal, he is shown 10 seconds later peaking out from behind a tree. There's also no full moon shot either which I would have liked to see. Evelyn Ankers as Grace, Talbots love interest, is bland and uninteresting, not bringing anything to the role and in her scenes with Chaney it seems like he's doing most of the work to portray some on screen chemistry.

Overall, flawed and not what I was expecting, however its still a very well made film and the performances of Rains and Chaney make the worth the watch.

Even a man who is pure in heart...

[plato-11 · 10/10 · 29 December 1999]

Even a man who is pure in heart

And says his prayers by night

May become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms

And the autumn moon is bright.

If you haven't heard this piece of poetry before, you'll never forget it after seeing The Wolf Man for two reasons: it's spooky and just about everybody in the movie recites it at one time or another.Set in a fog-bound studio-built Wales, The Wolf Man tells the doom-laden tale of Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.), who returns to the estate of his father (Claude Rains). (Yes, Chaney's American, but the movie explains this, awkwardly.) Bitten by a werewolf, Talbot suffers the classic fate of all victims of lycanthropy. This is a classy horror outing, with strong atmosphere and a thoughtful script by Curt Siodmak-- well, except for the stiff romantic bits between Chaney and Evelyn Ankers. It's also got Bela Lugosi, briefly, and Maria Ouspenskaya, the prune-like Russian actress who foretells doom like nobody's business.

"There's something very tragic about that man"

[Jonny_Numb · 7/10 · 29 October 2007]

So says one of the characters in "The Wolf Man," and they're right: Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney), heir to a prestigious estate, is an easygoing, nice guy. He flirts with local shopkeep Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), and, one fateful night, is bitten by a werewolf. Let the interweaving threads of superstition, religion, and psychology commence! A full decade after "Frankenstein" shows Universal's formula for success in full swing, with an end product that is arguably better (and somehow even more tragic). I've never been a big werewolf fan (I think "The Howling" is one of the most overrated horror films ever), but Chaney's tragic downfall mixed with a good deal of insight and sympathy makes for a brilliantly realized performance. Claude Rains ("The Invisible Man") and Ralph Bellamy ("Rosemary's Baby") provide strong support as Larry's father and the town constable, respectively. And Bela Lugosi (as a gypsy named Bela) is fantastic in a small yet crucial role. Curt Siodmak's original screenplay crafts a convincing mythology that has since become the industry standard, and George Waggner's direction renders its German-Expressionist cues with fog-heavy style and skill. "The Wolf Man" is an excellent piece of work that holds up extremely well today.

In all due respect

[virginia_builder · 10/10 · 19 May 2010]

Every monster must have it's origin. The importance of this monster to modern movies and those to come must make us appreciate it's origins. Regardless of how you feel about actors or plot when it comes to this picture, it deserves nothing less than a 10 for bringing forth into the silver screen the monster of all monsters. THE Wolf Man! Since then, the Wolf Man has stirred so many feelings, so many fears, so many movies. The Howling, Cursed, The Wolfen, An American Werewolf In London, Paris, etc.. It goes on and on and hopefully on. Out of all of the original monsters, Werewolves are number 1 for scaring the crap out of me. It all started right here with this very movie. I still can't watch it without feeling awestruck at how much this film has started and continued the fear of the Wolf Man. Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.

Even a man who is pure in heart...

[Zlactoc · 7/10 · 9 February 2007]

The Wolf Man is a Universal Horror picture, made in 1941, directed by George Waggner and starring Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot, or, as listed in the credits ' The Wolf Man'.

The 1940's Universal Studios music,plying over the Universal logo did not go well with the overall film, as it was jolly, loud, and slightly comedic, and it gave me the wrong impression as to how the film was going to turn out. However, I am pleased to say, it is one of the few flaws of the film.

The film begins with the title screen of the Wolf Man, accompanied by eerie music, followed by the credits, which consisted of clips of the actors taken from the film, with their name and the character they starred as, overlaid on top of those clips. The credits of the crew are then played, with the backing video track, slowly tracking through a forest, the same shot used in the opening credits of Ghost of Frankenstein, Night Monster and The Mummy's Curse.

Claude Rains as Sir John Talbot, delivers a terrific performance as a father figure for Larry, despite the difference in appearance of Rains and Chaney Jr. Lon Chaney's performance as Larry Talbot, is just as good, although I find it easier to sympathise with Henry Hull's character 'Doctor Wilfred Glendon' in 'Werewolf of London'.

I would recommend this movie to anyone, young or old, as it is a true classic, and everyone should have the experience of viewing it.

Here's a Bite for You

[jcholguin · 10/10 · 8 March 2003]

Whenever I see this movie, I am amazed that it seems so sad. Poor Larry Talbot "Lon Chaney, Jr" never asked to be a werewolf, he was just trying to fight off a wolf that happen to bite him. Little did he know that "Bela, played by Bela Lugosi" was a werewolf, how could something like this happen to a man? The only other person that believes Larry Talbot is a werewolf is Bela's mother, the old gypsy woman, Maleva, so wonderfully played by Maria Ouspenskaya. She tells him the old gypsy saying of "even a man that says his prayers...." which Larry won't believe, because it is a curse for life. You also feel so sad when Sir John Talbot played by Claude Rains ends up killing his own son with the Silver Wolf's Head cane. Sir John kept telling Larry that it was all part of his mental state, caused by that old gypsy woman. A movie monster classic that will live on in video, DVD, and late night TV. Just as a werewolf continues to live on, so will the memory of Lon Chaney's great role of a wolf!

Sad movie

[Lucabrasisleeps · 7/10 · 10 April 2015]

The reason why this movie works is because of the performance of Lon chaney Jr. The corny makeup doesn't really matter. Obviously a movie like this is going to be hurt by the censorship of the times. But in this movie, the focus is on the pain of the lead character and the inevitable disaster. That is why the movie works better than most horror movies of the same period.

I have a soft spot for such movies where the lead character is in a tough situation from which there is no escape. He was just in a wrong place at the wrong time. Frankly I was not a fan of the dad character. He didn't really seem understanding of the situation. Sure he did help with the police and all but he could have let him go out of town. It would not mattered of course since the illness would still haunt him. But at least the girl would be safe.

I am not sure if it works as a pure horror movie. I don't think it has many creepy scenes. And often the corny makeup is a problem. I thought the movie would have worked better if there was a real wolf and if there was an effective transformation scene. But then I guess the special effects were not possible then.

It was really depressing to see Larry losing his grip on sanity and getting further away from Gwen. It finally ends in a tragic way but at least in the end, his reputation is unspoilt.

I liked the movie overall 7/10.

Very Hairy, Not So Scary

[slokes · 3/10 · 23 May 2015]

Knowing it is the film that introduced one of horror filmdom's most iconic figures, I watched "The Wolf Man" ready to give it every break. So it was disappointing to discover it both sloppy in its construction and sluggard in its execution.

Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) returns home to Talbot Castle after 16 years in America, ready to assume the mantle of heir after the untimely death of his elder brother. The neighboring village offers attractions, like Gwen (Evelyn Ankers) who works at an antique store. But it also holds dangers, like the much-discussed legend of a man who turns into a wolf and attacks people. Larry discovers the truth behind this legend one evening while walking with Gwen.

"There's something very tragic about that man, and I'm sure nothing but harm will come to you through him," Gwen is told, accurately enough as things turn out.

Having seen Chaney play the role in two other films ("Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man" and "Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein"), I was expecting a much better performance from him than I got. Especially in his scenes with Ankers and with Claude Rains playing his father, Chaney is awkward and unconvincing, creepy when he should be sympathetic and boring when he should be scary.

The film creates a potentially riveting situation and does next to nothing with it. Whether it's the mystery of the dead older brother or the presence of Bela Lugosi as a tense gypsy, the film is full of ideas that are either dropped entirely or else underdeveloped. I'd complain about the downer ending, too, except I felt nothing but relief when "The End" came up.

Director George Waggner has no sense of pace. His central concept, the Wolf Man, takes more than half the movie's short running time to get going, and is then over with too quickly. Meanwhile, too much time is spent on dull scene-setting, including a bit of folk verse regarding the wolf-man legend ("Even a man who is pure in heart...") uttered three times in the first 15 minutes. The supporting players seem out to sea, especially Ralph Bellamy, sporting a pipe in place of an accent, and Ankers, whose real-life dislike for Chaney is palpable.

Even the much-heralded transformation scenes are not much to watch. The first time, we only see Larry's feet become paws in a series of obvious lap dissolves. Once later we get a close-up of Larry's face in the process, but it hardly seems worth the legendary labor of Jack Pierce. As Tom Weaver says in the DVD commentary track, he looks more at times like Don King than a credible wolf-man.

What's good about "The Wolf Man" is the murky ambiance consistent with the Universal monster movies and Rains' solid performance as the stern but caring father. Even when saddled with some howler lines, like urging his son "fight his way out" of his wolf-man delusion or hypothesizing that the werewolf idea is "probably an ancient explanation of the dual personality in each of us," Rains carries off his scenes with aplomb. He's my pick for the Doe Avedon "Best Performance In A Bad Film" award for 1941.

The Wolf Man concept deserves some positive notice; it's been used in some very good films. Just not this one.

Lon Chaney Jr's signature role is still one of his best performances. 'The Wolf Man' is an undisputed horror classic.

[Infofreak · 18 February 2004]

Lon Chaney Jr lived under the shadow of his famous father, but in 'The Wolf Man' he helped create a horror icon that has lasted for over sixty years. Chaney had already shown that he could act in 'Of Mice And Men'(1939). In 'The Wolf Man' he gives another excellent performance, but this movie was both a blessing and a curse to his career I think. It forever labeled him a horror actor, and frankly he made a lot of lousy movies after this. Some good ones too, don't get me wrong, but too often he was given b-grade material to work with. Maybe his drinking problem had a lot to do with it, I don't know, but apart from a strong cameo in 'The Defiant Ones'(1958) and a great performance in Jack Hill's cult classic 'Spider Baby'(1964), he rarely was given a role as good as Larry Talbot in this movie. Chaney is surrounded by a very strong supporting cast including horror legends Claude Rains ('The Invisible Man') and Bela Lugosi (sadly only a cameo), Ralph Bellamy ('His Girl Friday'), and frequent costar Evelyn Ankers (she and Chaney made a great on screen couple but apparently hated each other off screen. Such is Hollywood!). Many people complain about the casting of Rains and Chaney as father and son. I agree it's totally unrealistic, but I don't think it hurts the movie at all. The lack of Lugosi is a bigger problem. There was more footage of him but unfortunately it wasn't used in the final cut. It's too bad as more scenes between Lugosi and Chaney would have been a treat. Of course they worked together a few times after this, but mostly in lesser movies. The real scene stealer in 'The Wolf Man' is Maria Ouspenskaya who plays the gypsy woman Maleva. She's just terrific, and gives the most memorable performance after Chaney. 'The Wolf Man' has had an enormous influence on just about every subsequent werewolf movie. Much of the lore seen on screen here isn't in fact traditional, as many people assume, but created by the talented Curt Siodmak ('Donovan's Brain') who subsequently wrote the horror classics 'I Walked With A Zombie'(1943), and 'The Beast With Five Fingers'(1946). 'The Wolf Man' is an undisputed horror classic, and just as entertaining and interesting as it ever was.

The werewolf tale is born on the big screen

[Johan_Wondering_on_Waves · 7/10 · 12 April 2015]

I really like The Company of Wolves but other than that I'm really not a fan of werewolf movies. However having seen and enjoyed classics such as Dracula and Frankenstein from Universal I thought I should give this classic a chance too. I think story-wise this one beats the former two. here we have a monster that really doesn't want to be a villain but he cannot fight or escape his fate. Wolf man Larry is marvelously played by Lon Chaney Jr. I have seen some people complain about the bad make-up but I don't think it was too bad and it didn't really bother me. I think this was more than horror with some very nice psychological scenes put in, a potential love story too. Strong scene when the son accepts his sad fate and gives the cane with silver handle to his father. He says goodbye, so sad that the father didn't understand it. Nice support role from Maria Ouspenskaya as gypsy woman, she really looked authentic. Cool to have horror icon Bela Lugosi as gypsy fortune teller even if his screen time is extremely limited. If you don't know anything about werewolves this movie teaches you what you need to know.

My favorite Universal Monster Movie

[arthurclay · 10/10 · 8 June 2005]

I can't tell you how many times I have seen it but it has to be over 40. Lon Chaney Jr. gives his best performance (he even acknowledged that in an magazine interview once) and is sensational. Not only can he act but he can act with a vengeance. Claude Rains is his loving and sympathetic yet as he puts it himself a stiff necked and demonstrative father who wants to protect his son from well, himself. Evelyn Ankers is outrageously beautiful and captivating. Chaney and her bond like crazy glue to your finger. And the funny thing is they despised each other in real life just like Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHavilland did off the set of Robin Hood. It shows you that in those days actors and actresses really had to ACT. Chaney convinces you he loves this woman but cannot bear the unbearable burden of being cursed and damned to eternal life. Only 90 minutes long but there is enough there to thrill you and it was one of Hollywood's best horror films many consider it to be the best classic horror film ever made. I would say I would have to agree with them.

Classic Werewolf movie with ordinary elements as terror, attacks in full moon and hirsute transformation

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 19 October 2019]

This terrifying and horrifyng movie deals with a man called Larry Talbot : Lon Chaney Jr, goes back to his homeland - named Talbot Castle-, after eighteen years, there he meets his father John Talbot : Claude Rains . There is a small village near Talbot Castle which still claims to have had gruesome experiences with a supernatural creature. Later on, Larry is attacked by a strange night creature of traditional folklore and he is infected by a horrible disease.

Classic wolfman movie with drama, suspense, and horror with mysterious touches. The picture has the classy canon to follow lots of remakes, reboots, sequels, copies and imitations . It packs an excellent scenario plenty of fog, sinister setting and adequate makeup. The film talks about Lycanthropy or Werewolfism as a disease of the mind in which human beings imagine they are wolfmen. According to an old legend which persists in certain localities, the victims actually assume the physical characteristics of the animals and the sign of the werewolf is a five-pointed star, a pentagram, enclosing a circle. The cast is pretty good, displaying acceptable interpretations. As Lon Chaney Jr, son of the great Lon Chaney, The man of thousand faces, . Chaney Jr plays appropriately the unfortunate young who is bitten during an attack transformed by the full moon into a wolfman, undergoing a hirsute change, and he bears a magnificent makeup by Jack Pierce. While Evelyn Ankers as an antiques shop owner is his love interest who is also in love for Patrick Knowles. Claude Rains as John Talbot interprets perfectly his father . Warren William plays a doctor, while Ralph Bellamy plays a police inspector. Special mention for Maria Ouspenskaya giving a creepy and eerie acting as a mysterious Zingara. While Bela Lugosi as a suspicious gypsy fortune teller delivers a brief but astounding performance. The motion picture with interesting and well-knit script by Curt Siodmak was compellingly directed by George Waggner.

After The Wolfman 1941 went on a series of films about this creature, though before being directed in 1935 Werewolf of London by Stuart Walker with Henry Hull, Warner Oland, Valerie Hobson. Following : I was a teenage werewolf by Gene Fowler Jr with Michael Landon. The curse of werewolf 1961 by Terence Fisher with Oliver Reed, Clifford Evans, Yvonne Romain. The American werewolf in London 1981 by John Landis with David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, Jenny Agutter. An American werewolf in Paris 1997 with Tom Everett Scott, Julie Delpy. The modern remake : The wolfman 2010 by Joe Johnston with Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, David Schofield. And in Europe outstanded Paul Naschy or Jacinto Molina who played and directed a lot of wolfman movies as Waldemar Daninsky.

THIS MOVIE DID SCARE ME

[TEXICAN-2 · 10/10 · 31 October 1999]

I was ten when I saw this movie, and this is the only movie that has really scared me. The first time I saw the Wolf Man in full make-up, zip, I pulled the pillow over my head (I was on my bed). My father was watching with me and laughed (he saw this brand new in 1941). "Did I want it turned off?" I peeked out and, "No" everything was fine now. I finished my first viewing with awe at the make-up and transformations. I had seen other horror movies, dozens at that point, but, this was the first that had genuinely scared me. And thus began my love affair with the Wolf Man. Good music, creepy sets, good pacing, excellent cast and acting, believable storyline, transformations and make-up that DIDN'T have, or rely on, a computer to make them look good. Yes, computers have enhanced our viewing pleasures with better special effects, but, have they really replaced the Wolf Man's work, or for that fact, have they really replaced Willis O'Brien's work on King Kong. I own both, love both, and have viewed both at least a hundred time (seriously). If you want gore, blood and splatter, check else where. If you want class and quality, you can't get much better than The Wolf Man.

A classic horror film featuring a fantastic performance from Lon Chaney Jr.

[mehobulls · 7/10 · 16 September 2020]

Can finally say I have seen all the classic Universal monster flicks, but I wouldn't put this one at the top. Yes the acting is fine, but why does Chaney have zero accent with Rains as his father? Also, Bela Lugosi shouldve had a more substantial role. For what it is though, its still great, and the forest scenes are particularly effective with good moody photography and staging. Mummy and Invisible Man still my favs

Lon Chaney, Jr. You'll love him, even as the monster.

[FiendishDramaturgy · 10/10 · 26 November 2003]

This is one of my favorite of all the Universal horrors. Even in 1941, this is not the original werewolf movie. It was already a remake, even at this early date. However, it is by far, the best of the older werewolf movies; the progenitor which has spawned nearly all other movies of this line. It lays down the basic laws concerning werewolves, gives you a history of lycanthropy, and leaves the rest to your imagination. While the effects left a lot to be desired, they are forgiven due to the incredible age of this classic masterpiece.

Lon Chaney was the veritable epitome of lovable; honorable, sweet, and intelligent Americanized man, who is open and endearing, lending these qualities to his character, and making you love him, even as he becomes this horrible, monstrous killer.

"Through no fault of your own.."

This movie is more than a classic. It is an absolute masterpiece of drama, horror, legend, and melancholy sweetness. This was one of the Universal horror classics which shaped the whole genre of horror as we know it.

I highly recommend Universal's The Wolf Man Legacy Collection DVD Box set. It is WELL worth the asking price.

It rates a 9.5/10 from...

the Fiend :.

A Good Classic Horror Film from Days Gone By

[Uriah43 · 7/10 · 19 June 2013]

After a hunting accident which claims the life of his older brother, "Larry Talbot" (Lon Chaney Jr.) returns after 18 years abroad to his ancestral home in England to reside with his father "Sir John Talbot" (Claude Rains) at Talbot Castle. One day, while peering through a telescope he installed for his father, he accidentally spies "Gwen Conliffe" (Evelyn Ankers) in her room above an antique store and decides to make her acquaintance. That night he takes Gwen and her friend "Jenny Williams" (Fay Helm) to a nearby Gypsy camp to have their fortunes told. When Jenny is attacked by a werewolf he rushes to her defense but arrives too late. Although he manages to kill the werewolf, he is subsequently bitten in the process. And so the curse of the werewolf is passed on to him. Now, even though the special effects are rather basic compared to today's standards and it isn't the first werewolf movie ever made, this film probably does as much as any other motion picture to popularize the werewolf legacy. Obviously some folks may not like it. But for those who enjoy a good classic horror film from days gone by then this one probably won't disappoint anyone.

Used to be a werewolf but I'm alright noooooooooow!

[Prichards12345 · 8/10 · 10 May 2012]

The Wolf Man is an atmospheric, well-made, and well-acted movie. It's famous doggerel - "Even a man who is pure in heart", etc, has sort of passed into our culture, and it sustains its aura of tragedy right to the end, proving immensely superior to its recent ham-fisted remake.

The film, of course, concerns Lawrence Talbot's (Lon Chaney Jr) return to his ancient family home of Llanwelly, Wales, which looks a lot like Transylvania here. After many years in America. Larry has reconciled with his father Sir John (an excellent Claude Raines), and is to run the Talbot Estate. It isn't long before he has spied (literally through the use of a telescope) the lovely Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), daughter of a local antique shop owner. And of course, there is the sinister party of Gypsies that lurk in the woods.

It isn't long before Larry meets Bela (unsuprisingly Bela Lugosi!) who sees the sign of the Pentagram on a soon to be victim when he reads her fortune. Poor Bela, you see, is a werewolf, and he's about to pass on the curse...

What still grabs you about the film is Chaney's tortured performance as Larry. Poor Lon was just as tortured in real life as his character, and you wonder how much he's actually acting in the role or just being himself. Chaney was never better than he is here, and he's always good value when playing The Wolfman. The distinguished supporting cast are terrific - perhaps the finest cast assembled for a horror movie at the time. Maria Ouspenskya is a real stand-out as Bela's gypsy mother.

Jack Peirce's yak-hair makeup itself has dated of course, and is no longer frightening; but as a gloomy fairy tale the movie still works splendidly. One of Universal's biggest hits of the early 40s, The Wolf Man is still fondly remembered and highly regarded. And it deserves to be.

Atmospheric and tragic tale of man verses beast.

[RomanJamesHoffman · 7/10 · 31 December 2013]

Despite being the second Universal werewolf movie (after "Werewolf in London (1935)) it is nevertheless the iconic image of the furry-faced man-beast as played by Lon Chaney Jr. as "The Wolf Man" (make-up courtesy of Jack Pierce) which has entered popular culture alongside Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's Monster and Bela Lugosi as Dracula. Moreso, this is the movie which has given us much of the werewolf mythology (gypsy folktales, wolfsbane, silver) which has influenced cinematic depictions ever since.

After the death of his brother, the estranged Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) returns from the States to the estate of his British father, Sir John Talbot (Claude Rains). The pair reacquaint themselves and, after helping his father fit a lens for his telescope, Larry becomes infatuated with the beautiful Gwen (Evelyn Ankers) whom he accidentally spies on. He wastes no time in going over to the shop where she works to introduce himself and, between flirting and being turned down, he buys a cane replete with a silver wolf's head and learns about the werewolf myth for the first time. However, through his likable innocent charm, Larry succeeds in accompanying Gwen to a gypsy fortune teller, played by Bela Lugosi who, as a werewolf kills the pair's friend, Jenny. Larry kills the beast, but not before being bitten himself and thus becoming the new inheritor of the werewolf curse.

One of the starkest contrasts between "The Werewolf of London" and "The Wolf Man" is the likability of the character. Whereas both men do a good job of showing the inner battle of man verses beast, the inherent likability of Larry Talbot as a character makes the viewer care much more about him and thus adds more pathos to the tragic climax. Another point which adds to our sympathy for Larry is the unjust attachment to the grisly murders conferred upon him by local busybodies and the subsequent way his friends and family support him, unbeknownst to them the horrific curse he is under. Another major difference in tone is that "The Wolf Man" is much more atmospheric than the comparably clinical feel of "Werewolf in London", with much of the film taking place amidst a fog-strewn forest among barren trees, first when the gypsies come to town and most grippingly during the final hunt for the werewolf. This is a key point as in the days of relatively rudimentary special effects and low gore, the atmosphere was the thing which really communicated the horror.

However, one criticism I have is that even though Jack Pierce's make-up effects in his movie have been lauded (as indeed they were for "Frankenstein", "The Black Cat", The Mummy" et al.) I personally prefer the make-up he did for the earlier "Werewolf in London" as I find the Wolf Man, dare I say it, a bit cute! Sure, I can suspend my disbelief enough to enter into the spirit of the movie, but I can't help but feel that the wolf in the earlier movie is more savage and scarier. Still, a small point and one which never threatened to stifle my enjoyment of this deserved classic which stands as a must-see for all horror enthusiasts.

The best werewolf movie I have seen.

[13Funbags · 5/10 · 13 July 2017]

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.