Heightening this feeling of dread and pacing the tension well, the now familiar music — which was subsequently used in many Universal movies including the Sherlock Holmes series — with its ominous, tri-toned opening beat followed by precipitous drum rolls, alarming horns, and emotive strings, is a classy addition to the modest production and enhances the action scenes as well as the quieter moments of impending doom.
Finally meeting his death at the hands of his shocked father, who beats him with the silver-headed cane used to kill Bela the Gypsy, the climax of The Wolf Man stands out in its depiction of a man tragically caught in an evil cosmos with no way out. Lon Chaney Jr. reprised his signature role as the Wolf Man in four more Universal films, but The Wolf Man remains his most poignant performance as Larry Talbot, an ordinary man cursed, through no fault of his own, to walk on padded feet by night, when the moon beckons, with the unquenchable thirst for blood.
Universal's Legacy Collection of The Wolf Man contains Tom Weaver's revelatory commentary, as well as the light, but informative documentary entitled Monster by Moonlight, narrated by John Landis, who directed American Werewolf In London.
Weaver sheds light on the love-not-lost relationship between Ankers and Chaney, though they starred in many films together, as well as the differences between the initial script and the final shooting one. He also points out the bloopers, always an enjoyable, "how'd I miss that moment," and the little behind the scenes tidbits that make for a more informed viewing of this classic horror film.
One thing I was hoping Weaver would touch on but didn't is the perplexing way the Wolf Man invariably wound up dressed in a neatly pressed dark shirt and pants after every transformation into the hirsute terror. That one always perplexed me. Stylish, but still perplexing.
The set also includes the sequel and first Universal Studios ensemble film, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, as well as Werewolf of London and She-Wolf of London. Makes you kind of wonder what's going on over at London, doesn't it? Disappointingly enough, they didn't include 1948's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, the enjoyable last hurrah for Universal's era of classic horror.
Article comments
1 - Lisa McKay
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2 - ILoz Zoc
Woof! Now that's something to howl about. Thanks!