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Ridley Coote

The Wolf Man (1941) Dir: George Waggner

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As part of a creature-based filmstagram community event, I decided to check out this George Waggner directed black and white horror from 1941! I love classic horror, and any chance I get to check out one I haven't seen is a great opportunity.


There's something so enjoyable about a classic black and white horror film that feels so special around Halloween time. I try and watch at least one for the first time every year, and this was the one I chose this time around. It had a classic werewolf storyline, which had me very entertained.


There was, however, some questionable behaviour, in regards to how the protagonist pursued the female love interest. It was undeniably dated, and didn't sit too well with me. It wasn't the most egregious example I've seen in old cinema though, if that counts for anything.


The practical effects were goofy, but in a very charming way. I wish we'd seen more of it, if anything, but I very much enjoyed how 'of the time' it was. The costume design in general was very enjoyable - every character looked smart and sleek.


The leading performance of Lon Chaney Jr. was quite enjoyable. I thought he showed a good deal of charisma and, not a little bit of wit in the first half of the film. His scenes as the wolf man are a little more goofy, but I still enjoyed them a lot.


Evelyn Ankers provided a sweet and very endearing love interest, although I do wish she'd had a little more screentime. She was such a likable presence in the film, and she made every scene she was in a little bit better.


Of the rest of the supporting cast, the iconic Bela Lugosi stole the show with his empassioned acting, and was very good for his brief time on-screen. Appearances from Claude Rains, Maria Ouspenskaya, Ralph Bellamy and Warren William deserve to get mentions too.


Overall, I would say that this was a rather charming horror classic. It certainly had some endearing qualities to it, which reminded me of other black and white classics of the time. I don't think it was quite as strong as some of those, but I had a lovely time with it regardless.



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