The Wolf Man

I recently had the chance to watch the 1941 Universal classic horror film The Wolf Man starring Lon Chaney Jr. This film is the creepy atmospheric tale that introduced us to the mythology of the wolf man, a man who changes into a wolf during the full moon and attacks innocent people. Starring Lon Chaney Jr., and with a glorified cameo by Bela Lugosi, the film certainly features the cream of the crop acting wise of the Universal Horror Films. As with all of the films they are short, shot in black and white, and focus on the life, and usually death, of a man who is somehow more than a man, or in some cases less than a man. These were made in the years of the studio system and the formula for these films was so popular that there are entire series of films starring the same people. Lon Chaney Jr. reprised the role of the wolf man no less than 3 times. Lon Chaney Jr. also has the distinction of playing not only The Wolf Man, but the Frankenstein monster, the mummy, and Count Dracula; or all of the four most famous Universal monsters. Supporting actors like Claude Rains had appeared in films like The Invisible Man and even Maria Ouspenskaya reprised her role as the gypsy Maleva.

Lon Chaney Jr. often lived in the shadow of his legendary film star father and it is not surprising that the elder Chaney tried to dissuade his son from entering the entertainment business considering how the tortuous methods employed to make these fantastical monsters caused serious permanent physical ailments to the older Chaney. But, none the less, Lon Chaney Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and became the leading man in makeup in the 1940s.

Related posts:

1. Universal Studios Monster Movies