A Field Guide to Cinematic Wolf Men

There are dozens of Werewolf filmsbut only a select few focus on the character that popularized Wolf Man as part of the Universal Monsters line-up. with Lee and Neil The wolf man— the Universal Monsters series that renames Lawrence “Larry” Talbot to Blake as part of its rebooted story — arrives this week, as we look back at all the notable Wolf Men’s past.

(If you’re a fan of vampires, io9 also has “Field Guide to the Cinematic Dracula“A few years back to sink your teeth into it.”

The Wolf Man (1941)

He’s followed the now-classic Universal Monsters films Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man into theaters, but Lon Chaney Jr. makes an indelible impression as Larry Talbot, a fish out of water in his ancestral home in Wales. Even before his fateful encounter with a very special type of wolf.

Some excellent subtext is afoot here: Claude Rains, star The invisible manplays Larry’s estranged father, Count Bela Lugosi Dracula Himself, he plays the werewolf (also named Bella) who creates our wolf-man. The wolf man It is, of course, now the cultural touchstone of every werewolf movie that has followed, from Chaney’s memorable transformation scene to the script’s incorporation of monster lore. This includes the power of silver and the poem “The Werewolf” which highlights the idea that “even a pure-hearted man” can fall victim to the werewolf’s curse.

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)

Lon Chaney Jr. returns to star, and Curt Siodmak once again writes the script, in this follow-up to the film The wolf man It’s up to Larry Talbot (rehashing his tragic on-screen death at the end of this film by opening with his full-moon-enabled resurrection). Chaney’s co-star is also Bela Lugosi once again, but this time wearing a lot of makeup to play Frankenstein’s monster.

Now fully aware of his status as a creature, Larry must not only grapple with being a werewolf, but also the fact that the authorities don’t believe werewolves are real – a nuisance that drives him to search for Dr. Frankenstein, or at least the stranger. Science notes that he left behind to find a cure. He instead finds the monster frozen in ice, which is difficult to deal with once he is brought back to life dead. Universal’s first foray into monster crossovers was not well received by critics at the time, but it has since become a fan favorite, not least because of the raucous, toe-tapping music score when the characters are convinced to attend a “nearby new wine festival.” Both monsters perished at the end of the third act… or will they die?

House of Frankenstein (1944)

Curt Siodmak’s story about a mad scientist (played by Boris Karloff) and Dr. Frankenstein’s plan to craft a new body for his hunchbacked assistant forms the basis for this crossover, which also features Chaney as the Wolf Man, and John Carradine as… Count Dracula and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein’s monster. Things get set into motion through an incredible series of events (escape from prison with the help of an earthquake; resurrecting a vampire after his body is recovered from a traveling sideshow… and then quickly dying again due to sunlight), Wolf Man and Wolf Man’s monster enters the story when… Reviving him from his frozen graves.

Despite his circumstances, Larry retains enough animal charm to arouse romantic feelings in a local woman, though it doesn’t end well for either of them, as the Wolf Man succumbs to the silver bullets. Or is it?

House of Dracula (1945)

The whole gang is here (Chaney as the Wolf Man, Carradine as Dracula, Strange as a Beast), but this time it’s all about the Wolf Man. and Dracula descends upon an eccentric scientist’s castle lair in hopes of curing their brutal illnesses. Frankenstein’s monster, who appears to have perished in quicksand Frankenstein’s houseA mad doctor is brought back to life (again) to add more chaos to the proceedings.

While a lot of Dracula’s house The film is about vampires – never trust Dracula, especially when blood transfusions are in progress – and it’s worth noting that Larry is actually cured in this thanks to a brain surgery that prevents him from transforming into his werewolf form. Dracula dies, the mad scientist dies, the monster dies… but Larry Talbot lives heroically!

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Finally, Universal realized what their monster movies had been missing all this time: jokes and gags! Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein A huge success – reviving the dwindling Universal Monsters genre in the process – the comedy duo embarked on a subsequent series of similarly titled films, taking on The Mummy, The Invisible Man and others. But it’s hard to beat the buzz here, with Larry Talbot (Chaney, of course) a major character on the sidelines of the story of Dracula’s (Bela Lugosi) attempts to create a new mind for Frankenstein’s monster (Glenn Strange). Larry (in wolf form) and the Count (in bat form) seem to die in the end, but we all know that means nothing in the ever-revolving circle of creature-featured life.

Transylvania 6-5000 (1985)

Mountain-sized actor Donald Gibb (Revenge of the Nerds) He stars as “Larry the Wolfman” in this goofy comedy starring Jeff Goldblum and Ed Begley Jr., in which tabloid reporters are sent to Transylvania to investigate an apparent sighting of… Frankenstein’s monster? They, of course, find the scoop, which reveals a werewolf, a vampire, a swamp thing, and a suspicious doctor who may have created a monster made of human body parts. Critic Leonard Maltin famously received a lukewarm reception Transylvania 6-5000 A one-word review (“Stinks!”), but the cast is ridiculous enough to arouse at least some curiosity; In addition to the main characters, the film features Geena Davis, Carol Kane, Norman Fell, and a pre-scandal, pre-Geoffrey Jones.Seinfeld (And the scandal before it) Michael Richards.

Monster Squad (1987)

Although not an essential entry in the Universal Monsters canon — for one thing, Fred Dekker’s horror comedy was not produced by Universal — this cult favorite features a group of monster-obsessed kids who rethink their idol worship when Universal Monsters comes to life in Their neighborhood and cause almost horrific problems. Frankenstein’s monster is the only cool guy in the group, but it’s the hairiest threat of them all that makes an appearance Monster SquadMost Quoted Phrase: “Wolfman has nards!”

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman (2000)

After meeting Frankenstein (and his monster) in 1999, the animatronic creatures returned for more Universal Monster remixes in 2000, with veteran voice actor Maurice LaMarche. (Futurama, Pinky and the Brain, The Real Ghostbusters) He co-stars as Lawrence Talbot – the new neighbor of Alvin, Simon, Theodore and Dave. It turns out that Mr. Talbot has a secret (can you guess what it is?), but amid mild concerns Alvin and the Chipmunks meet Wolfman Introduces a new werewolf cure: If a werewolf bites another werewolf, the effect reverses the curse on both victims.

Van Helsing (2004)

Director Stephen Sommers created a cinematic delight with Brendan Fraser mummy movies, but unfortunately we couldn’t conjure the same magic in this big-budget, effects-laden adventure starring Hugh Jackman as the legendary vampire hunter. There’s not really a ‘Wolf Man’ character, as most of the drama revolves around Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh), his nefarious brides, and his evil scheme to take over the Frankenstein-adjacent world.

but Van Helsing It’s very much cut from the Universal Monsters cloth. She throws in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and hatches a werewolf plot involving Kate Beckinsale’s character’s infected brother, who briefly passes the curse on to Van Helsing… which turns out to be the thing needed to defeat Dracula, so everyone wins?

House of the Wolf Man (2009)

Actually I haven’t heard of it The Wolf Man’s House Before I start compiling this Wolf Man list, however, the fact that this independent film was shot in black and white and stars Ron Chaney – the grandson of Lon Chaney Jr. – makes it all the more intriguing. However, he is not playing the wolf man; He plays a mad scientist who turns several familiar monsters (including, yes, a werewolf) into greedy would-be heirs to his fortune.

Wolfman (2010)

Joe Johnston (Captain America: The First Avenger, Missile, Jurassic Park III) He directed this often-forgotten international release that still managed to nab a Best Makeup Oscar for Rick Baker (who won the first award given in this category in 1981). An American werewolf in London) and collaborator Dave Elsey.

So the makeup is great! The rest, unfortunately for the cast that includes Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, and Hugo Weaving, is not, although it is more or less a remake of the original 1941 film.

The Wolf Man (2025)

Lee and Neil The invisible man (2020) gave new hope to Universal’s dreams of reclaiming the monster movie mantle, updating the original film’s story with real scares and timely themes. Is it for him? The wolf manstarring Christopher Abbott as Larry Talbot’s take on the title character, and Julia Garner as the Wolf Man’s understandably estranged wife, achieves similar success? It arrives on Friday, January 17 to have audiences howling… and hopefully in delight.

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