Larry Talbot returns to his father's castle in Wales and meets a beautiful woman. One fateful night, Talbot escorts her to a local carnival where they meet a mysterious gypsy fortune teller.Larry Talbot returns to his father's castle in Wales and meets a beautiful woman. One fateful night, Talbot escorts her to a local carnival where they meet a mysterious gypsy fortune teller.Larry Talbot returns to his father's castle in Wales and meets a beautiful woman. One fateful night, Talbot escorts her to a local carnival where they meet a mysterious gypsy fortune teller.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 3 nominations
- Lawrence Talbot
- (as Lon Chaney)
- …
- Gypsy Woman
- (uncredited)
- Townswoman
- (uncredited)
- Townswoman
- (uncredited)
- Wykes
- (uncredited)
- Townswoman
- (uncredited)
- Villager
- (uncredited)
- Girl
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe "wolf" that Larry Talbot fights with was Lon Chaney Jr.'s own German Shepherd.
- GoofsBela the Gypsy transforms into an actual wolf, not a wolf/man. When his body is discovered, his feet are bare but he is wearing a shirt and trousers. The wolf killed by Larry Talbot was not wearing any clothing.
- Quotes
Jenny Williams: 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: [after hearing it twice already] You know that one too, eh?
- ConnectionsEdited into The Wolfman (1966)
The story is a familiar one: Larry, the son of esteemed Sir John (Rains) returns home to Wales after many years in America, is bitten by a werewolf (well played by Bela Lugosi), and becomes a werewolf himself. What's extraordinary is the fact that the film can be so effective today.
The biggest reason for this is the acting. Some classic films, pre-Actor's Studio, look pretty pathetic when it comes to realistic characterization. Not so THE WOLF MAN. Curt Siodmak's excellent screenplay (likened to a Greek Tragedy) provides a vehicle for the stars to be at their best, and, boy, do they shine: Rains a tower of strength as the proud father; Ankers hitting just the right note as the torn female lead; Maria Ouspenskaya as the Old Gypsey Woman whose words prefigure Larry's doom....
But the standout is Lon Chaney Jr. A definite mixed-bag as an actor, he is perfect here--and this is a role calling for the use of all human emotions (unlike later Wolf Man films, where Talbot's head-pounding becomes monotonous). In fact, seeing THE WOLF MAN recently has convinced me that Chaney would have made the ideal screen Phillip Marlow (and I'm not forgetting Bogie)--big, tough, surly, yet charming when need be (a highlight early in WOLF MAN is Larry's attempts at flirting with Ankers; Chaney does the surprisingly playful dialogue with just the right touch). There's no doubt that his performance would merit accolades even today.
This is not to say that there aren't problems in the film. The continuity is off in a number of places (Chany transforms into the Wolf Man at one point wearing a sleeveless undershirt; in the very next scene, he's wearing a neatly buttoned Dickey), and there's a scene or two that's completely inexplicable (e.g., why DOES the Wolf Man pass out when caught in that trap?)....
But overall, the pace, lighting, cinematography, excellent musical score, and strong story propel the film through these rough spots, the 70-minute ride leaving the viewer wanting more. For these reasons, THE WOLF MAN is a classic.
- fleckwil
- Dec 9, 2003
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Destiny
- Filming locations
- Court of Miracles, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(Werewolf 's loud howl awakens local villagers after grave digger is killed)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $180,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $420
- Runtime1 hour 10 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1