The Wolf Man (1941)

A practical man returns to his homeland, is attacked by a creature of folklore, and infected with a horrific disease his disciplined mind tells him can not possibly exist.

Director:

George Waggner

Writer:

Curt Siodmak (original screenplay)

Stars:

Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	The Wolf Man (as Lon Chaney)
Claude Rains	...	Sir John Talbot
Ralph Bellamy	...	Col. Montford
Warren William	...	Dr. Lloyd
Patric Knowles	...	Frank Andrews
Bela Lugosi	...	Bela
Maria Ouspenskaya	...	Maleva
Evelyn Ankers	...	Gwen Conliffe
Fay Helm	...	Jenny Williams
J.M. Kerrigan	...	Charles Conliffe
Forrester Harvey	...	Twiddle

Storyline

Upon the death of his brother, Larry Talbot returns from America to his ancestral home in Wales. He visits a gypsy camp with village girl Jenny Williams, who is attacked by Bela, a gypsy who has turned into a werewolf. Larry kills the werewolf but is bitten during the fight. Bela's mother tells him that this will cause him to become a werewolf at each full moon. Larry confesses his plight to his unbelieving father, Sir John, who then joins the villagers in a hunt for the wolf. Larry, transformed by the full moon, heads for the forest and a fateful meeting with both Sir John and Gwen.

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Plot Keywords:

werewolf | wolf | full moon | gypsy | wolf man | 

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Taglines:

"His hideous howl a dirge of death!"

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Genres:

Drama | Horror

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Destiny

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$180,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Even a man who is pure at heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." This quote has been listed in some sources as an authentic Gypsy or Eastern European folk saying. Writer Curt Siodmak admits that he simply made it up. Nonetheless, the rhyme would be recited in every future Universal film appearance of the Wolf Man, and would also be quoted in Van Helsing. (Albeit, slightly modified, "The moon is shining bright." rather than "The autumn moon is bright.")

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Goofs

When the wolf man is caught in a trap and falls over a log, the arm of his shirt raises, revealing a gloved hand.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Chauffeur: Talbot Castle, Mr. Larry.

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XXI (2010)

User Reviews

larry talbot should have run for President

Lon Chaney portrays psychological torment, guilt, and conflict so well in this film. These feelings are so absent in this century. Larry Talbot, in contrast to public officials and corporate executives, wants to do the right thing, and feels remorse at the suffering that he has caused. Chaney also does this in his later Inner Sanctum films. Maria Ouspenskaya is also great as Maleva, the gypsy. And the music is also marvelous. Films as these put contemporary horror films to shame. The former are fun and a pleasure to watch. This one is quite good.