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| The Wolf Man | 
 enlarge | Director: George Waggner
Actors: Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $11.36
You Save: $8.62 (43%)
New (49) Used (14) Collectible (1) from $10.67
Avg. Customer Rating:  72 reviews
Sales Rank: 20178
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dolby, Dvd-video, Special Edition, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 70
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Layers: 2
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Academy Ratio
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: MCAD20331D
ISBN: 0783227523
UPC: 025912033120
EAN: 9780783227528
ASIN: B00001TZ6Q
Theatrical Release Date: December 12, 1941
Release Date: November 2, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Lon chaney jr. Portrays one of the screens most infamous monsters the wolf man in the original horror classic. Bonus features: monster by moonlight an original documentary feature commentary with tom weaver the wolf man archives production notes cast and filmmakers bios and more. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 07/08/2008 Starring: Lon Chaney Jr. Warren William Run time: 70 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com essential video
Even a man who is pure in heart,
And says his prayers by night,
May become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms
And the autumn moon is bright. If you haven't heard this piece of horror-movie doggerel before, you'll never forget it after seeing The Wolf Man for two reasons: it's a spooky piece of rhyme and nearly everybody in the picture recites it at one time or another. Set in a fog-bound studio-built Wales, The Wolf Man tells the doom-laden tale of Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.), who returns to the estate of his wealthy father (Claude Rains). (Yes, Chaney's American, but the movie explains this, awkwardly.) Bitten by a werewolf, Talbot suffers the classic fate of the victims of lycanthropy: at the full moon, he turns into a werewolf, a transformation ingeniously devised by makeup maestro Jack Pierce. Pierce was the man who turned Boris Karloff into the Frankenstein monster, and his werewolf makeup became equally famous, with its canine snout and bushy hairdo--and, of course, seriously sharp dental work. The Wolf Man was a smash hit, giving Universal Pictures a new monster for their already crowded stable, and Chaney found himself following in the footsteps (or paw prints) of his father, who had essayed a monster or two in the silent era. This is a classy horror outing, with strong atmosphere and a thoughtful script by Curt Siodmak--well, except for the stiff romantic bits between Chaney and Evelyn Ankers. It's also got Bela Lugosi (briefly) and Maria Ouspenskaya, the prunelike Russian actress who foretells doom like nobody's business. --Robert Horton
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| Customer Reviews: Read 67 more reviews...
 The full moon rises and you can hear the howl of a wolf... May 4, 2001
14 out of 20 found this review helpful
"Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms. And the autumn moon is bright."
The 1941 version of "The Wolf Man" is one of the most important Universal monster movies that is a classic even if it is not a great film. That is because pretty much the entire mythology of werewolves, from the transformation beneath the full moon and the silver bullets to the appearance of a pentagram that marks the next victim of the werewolf, comes from this film. Consequently, screenwriter Curt Siodmak did for werewolves what Bram Stoker did for vampires, also working to take established folklore and then add a few creative twists.
The story of "The Wolf Man" should be well-known even to those who have yet to see the film. Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.), returns to his ancestral home in Wales following the death of his older brother. One night poor Larry is bitten by a wolf during an attack and he soon learns he has inherited the curse of lycanthrope from the gypsy werewolf (Bela Lugosi). Now, whenever the full moonrise, he goes out looking for some throats to rip out. What chance does he now have with the beautiful Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), and whatever will he tell his father, Sir John Talbot (Claude Reins?).
"The Wolf Man" is Lon Chaney, Jr.'s signature role mainly because it is one of the few movie monster roles that he originated (although the part was originally intended by Boris Karloff). Chaney was the original and only Larry Talbot, which is rather surprising given how often Universal played musical actors with the guys behind the monster makeup, which, once again, is by Jack Pierce. The film is more atmospheric than bloody, with lots of mist hugging the ground in the dark forest, which reflects both the sensibilities of the time and limitations placed on the genre by the production code. You also have Ralph Bellamy and veteran character actress Maria Ouspenskaya in the supporting cast adding weight to the story and make up for the fact you never really can buy that Reins and Chaney are father and son.
Ultimately, "The Wolf Man" is a monster movie that plays like a Greek tragedy with the monster being as much of an innocent victim as any of the werewolf's prey. Universal's classic version of "Frankenstein" was changed so much from Mary Shelley's novel that it lost the most tragic aspects of that particular story, leaving "The Wolf Man" to claim that particular title. It is that tragic element that you can find in all of the better werewolf movies that have followed this one, from "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" and "An American Werewolf in London" to "The Howling" and "Wolf."
Universal Fans Drop Everything and GET DVD ALREADY! November 5, 1999
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
When Universal started putting out the classic monsters on DVD this fall, I just knew I'd have to wait a long time for the underappreciated Wolf Man. But no! On the heels of the OUTSTANDING discs of Frankenstein, The Bride & The Mummy comes another first-class offering. Like the others, THE WOLF MAN contains an excellent documentary as well as the trailer and a commentary track by a film historian. The print of the film is gorgeous. I don't care what your age is or when you first saw this amazing film, if you're a horror fan you simply must own this one.
A Movie With Plenty Of Bite ! July 17, 2000
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Firstly, apologies for the corny title of my review. Now the DVD. Universal has pulled out all the stops for its Classic Monster Collection DVDs and 'The Wolf Man' is a contender for best of the series. The DVD boasts several special features including an informative documentary, cast/crew notes and trailer. In keeping with the other Classic Monster DVDs, the real bonus is the incredible picture quality. Not just better than VHS, not just better than a revival cinema print, this print is better than I ever recall seeing on TV! 'The Wolf Man' also features the best commentary of any of these Universal DVDs. Tom Weaver provides an exceptional degree of insight into the movie in a very fast but conversational manner - you'll need to listen to the commentary more than once in order to gain full benefit. Like all good 'horrors' the emphasis is on suspense and mystery, not mindless gore. In fact, the image of Lon Chaney Jr in full werewolf make-up could easily overshadow the fact that this is also a superb psychological thriller - until you watch the DVD. This impressive package is an essential purchase for all vintage horror fans. When Leonard Maltin describes 'The Wolf Man' as 'one of the finest horror films ever made' you know you're not going to be disappointed!
Your suffering is over, Bela my son. November 14, 2001
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
Don Smith, Lon Chaney, Jr.'s biographer, states that the most important horror film of the 1940's is "The Wolf Man". This new full screen(aspect 1.33:1) release of "The Wolf Man" is what DVD is all about: A clear, pristine restoration of a cinema classic, an original documentary with director John Landis(written by historian David J. Skal), commentary by expert Tom Weaver, a trailer, and bio's on the major stars, including listing every film by Lon Chaney, Jr. and Bela Lugosi. The Wolfman story, perhaps a classic Greek tragedy, is well-known. Lawrence Talbot returns to his father's estate in Wales. After romancing a local village girl, Talbot is bitten by a werewolf. At the full moon, he suffers the curse of lycanthropy. Like a football team, a movie is perhaps, only as good as it's players. "The Wolf Man" is all first string. Fresh from his accolades for "Of Mice and Men", Lon Chaney, Jr. steps into the leading role with conviction and empathy. This is his finest work. His father, Sir John, is played by Claude Rains. Just one year later, he would be Oscar nominated for "Casablanca". British actress Evelyn Ankers began a long Universal film career here as the love interest. Warren Williams plays the doctor. Williams was once touted as the next Barrymore. Ralph Bellamy appears as Constable Montford. Bellamy was in over 100 films. He won the Academy Award and a Tony for his work. Patric Knowles, a Universal staple, plays the gamekeeper. World famous Maria Ouspenskaya emigrated to the U.S. from Russia, surviving the Revolution and famine. Her role here as Maleva, the old gypsy woman, is pivotal.Finally Bela Lugosi, as Bela the gypsy, is at once riveting and magnetic. Originally considered for the lead, Lugosi's part was sadly cut to 7 lines. It is his only screen appearance as a werewolf. "Wolf Man" director George Waggner creates a frantic pace and eery backgrounds here. Waggner started as an actor, appearing in "The Shiek", with Rudolph Valentino, in 1921. The "Wolf Man" story comes from a taut script by Curt Siodmak. An original music score from Charles Previn and Hans J. Salter was so successful, it popped up in Universal films for years. Some of the track was recycled in 1954 for "Creature From the Black Lagoon". An early "Wolfman" scene in Talbot Castle includes a candlabra prop seen in 1935's "The Raven". In a later segment, Chaney exits a magnificent old church. That set was built for his father in "Hunchback of Notre Dame". "The Wolf Man" finished shooting in November, 1941. Just weeks later it opened in theaters. It was an instant hit, earning over $1 million. Within days, five of the principal actors were rushed into Universal's next opus, "Ghost of Frankenstein". Lon Chaney, Jr.'s grandson, Ron Chaney, lives in Palm Springs, Calif.. I have spoken with him several times. He holds his famous ancestors in high esteem, thanks to his web-site (...). He remembers his grandfather as warm and generous. For "The Wolf Man" commentary, Tom Weaver is detailed and inspired. He makes one error, however,mentioning that Lon Chaney, Jr. died of lung cancer. He's wrong. It was actually his father, Lon Chaney,Sr., who passed away in 1930 after shooting his only sound film, a re-make of his own "The Unholy Three". Lon Chaney,Jr. died in 1973 of a heart attack and liver failure. He was 67. In "The Wolf Man"'s final epic scenes, Maleva, the old gypsy woman, bends over the battered body of Lawrence Talbot, and whispers the words that have echoed down and haunted Hollywood horror film history..."The way you walked was thorny, through no fault of your own. But as the rain enters the soil, the river enters the sea, so tears run to their predestined end. Your suffering is over, my son. Now you will find peace..."
Pushed what Universal had to offer over the edge..... February 26, 2000
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Of the five mainstay Universal Horrors (Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolf Man and The Creature from the Black Lagoon), the last two on that roster were the only ones to emerge as serial characters where the studio had no literary material to fall back upon to make the screenplay just an adaptation. Stoker, Shelley and media hype (in the case of the Mummy, but with a little Stoker thrown in there as well) had seen to it that only three characters were charted in this manner. On 'The Wolf Man', the production team outdid themselves and there are absolutely no complaints I can bring to mind when reflecting on this picture. Well, perhaps this: while watching, I did become a little annoyed at the cliches of the fog-laden ground, the overexplanatory acting and the way you can tell who's going to die next (way easier than even looking at the guy in the red suit on the old Star Trek series) before I realised that the cliches that would come into being all stemmed from here. This is a tremendous work that seems to have more in it than the 69 minute job documented on the back of the case. The set is delicious and has every right to star alongside Lon Chaney, Jr., who, despite his physically cumbersome style, is in his element here. The supporting cast are excellent, especially Lugosi (good to see him take a ride in the back seat for a change) and the enigmatic Maria Ouspenskaya. Now, I should take some time to rant and rave about the superb make-up but that would be childish.....you know how good a job Asher does on Chaney. The strongest point of the movie? Definitely the set. Not only does the mist fulfill a functional role but the atmosphere it donates to the picture is mindblowing. You want to hide yourself in this mist and feel the adrenalin rush of watching the werewolf strike somebody else....very cosy and conducive to horror indeed. I'm a younger viewer (25 years of age) but had seen this on TV a few times in my early life. I had to have it. This is an honest Universal original that doesn't have the cramped, stagey feel of 'Dracula' or the strained, overly proud presentation of 'Frankenstein' or the 'remember-that-mummy-thing-?-Look-what-we've-gone-and-done-about-it' flavour of 'The Mummy'. Not to attack any of those earlier smash hits but Universal studios had matured a little by the turn of the Forties and was ready to give back something all of its own. If you find anything corny in this movie then blame yourself for having become biased by modern cinema. This is arguably the best of the classic horrors; unarguably good value for money when it comes to shocks and atmosphere.
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