She-Wolf of London (1946)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Jean Yarbrough

Writers:

Dwight V. Babcock (story)
George Bricker (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 May 1946 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery

Plot:

A young heiress finds evidence suggesting that at night she acts under the influence of a family curse and has begun committing ghastly murders in a nearby park.

Plot Keywords:

Family Curse | Interfering Relative | Family Legend | Hypnotic Drug | Greed

Cast

Don Porter	...	Barry Lanfield
June Lockhart	...	Phyllis Allenby
Sara Haden	...	Martha Winthrop
Jan Wiley	...	Carol Winthrop
Lloyd Corrigan	...	Detective Latham
Dennis Hoey	...	Inspector Pierce
Martin Kosleck	...	Dwight Severn
Eily Malyon	...	Hannah, the housekeeper
Frederick Worlock	...	Park Patrol Constable-in-Charge Ernie Hobbs (as Frederic Worlock)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Clara Blandick	...	Mrs. McBroom (scenes deleted)
Joan Wells	...	Phyllis - as a Child (scenes deleted)

Also Known As:

The Curse of the Allenbys (UK)

Runtime:

61 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:(Banned) (1947) | Finland:K-7 (2004) | Germany:6

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Largely shot on Universal's old "Hacienda" set, used on many of the studio's "B" westerns.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#32.8)" (2004)

The girl who cried….Lycantrophus

The serious lack of originality in "She-Wolf of London" almost causes you to think that the horror genre was already going downhill in the 1940's! This is an adequately put together movie with a handful of atmospheric moments and decent acting performances, yet the plot-twists and climax are so transparent that the whole film becomes entirely pointless. It isn't a real horror film, but more like a mystery/thriller with themes like superstition. The beautiful young heiress of a wealthy family is convinced she incurably turns into a werewolf overnight and devours innocent people in the park of London. When several severely mutilated bodies are actually discovered in the park, and Phyllis notices how her gown & slippers are covered with mud, her fears become all too real and she locks herself up in her chamber. Meanwhile, the police as well as Phyllis' own family members are getting closer to unravel the secrets behind the horrendous murders. The denouement is directly taken from other thrillers that were released a few years prior to "She-Wolf of London" and therefore the red herrings completely miss their effect. Naturally, I can't mention the other film titles, as that would immediately give away the climax of this film. So the script is dire, whatever remains is a worthwhile Universal production. June Lockhart, certainly not a usual casting choice for thrillers, is very likable as the mentally troubled & sensitive girl living in constant fears and she receives good feedback from a solid supportive cast. Dennis Hoey once again plays his clichéd role of witty yet unknowing police inspector, like his always did Inspector Lestrade in the magnificent Sherlock Holmes series.