“The Wolf Man” features a strong cast. Lon Chaney Jr., son of famous silent film actor Lon Chaney, plays Larry Talbot, the titular ‘Wolf Man.’ He brings a haunted despair to this role, fighting against the curse that turns him into a monster. Claude Rains plays his father Sir John Talbot, Evelyn Ankers is the love interest, and Bela Lugosi makes a delightful cameo as a fortune teller with a dark secret.
Despite all members of the cast delivering strong performances, the idea that Rains could be Chaney’s father is a bit laughable. Barely 17 years apart, they appear far closer in age. Chaney is also about two times larger than Rains and looks nothing like him.
This is the first of a few glaring issues with the film that prevent it from being a full classic. There are a few other plot holes. For example, why does Talbot turn into the Wolf Man while the original werewolf turns into an actual wolf? Why does the Wolf Man strangle his victims, as opposed to using his teeth or claws? Why does everyone in the town seem to have a different accent? What causes him to turn back into a human when he is caught in the trap? Does the poem of the gypsy woman have some sort of magic power?
The two biggest issues are more plot-centered. First, Talbot is a bit of a creep. Spying on a woman through a telescope is not a good start to a love story, especially when the woman is already engaged and refuses all advances very clearly. The other issue is how everyone in the town seems to be a werewolf expert. Within the first twenty minutes, three different people recite the entire Wolf poem to Larry. This repetition takes away from the eeriness of the poem, spoon-feeding foreshadowing to the audience.
Despite the issues, the film remains one of Universal’s better monster movies. The pacing is great, the performances are strong, and the plot is engaging. The best parts by far are the spooky settings and special effects. The Wolf Man’s makeup looks excellent even to this day, and the foggy forest beneath the full moon is one of the most iconic horror settings.
Though not without its flaws, this is a Halloween classic.
