It's almost hysterical that this movie's existence is a result of a joke made by Curt Siodmak (screen writer for 'The Wolf Man') to George Waggner (producer/director to 'The Wolf Man') as George was passing by Curt's luncheon table at Universal Studios. To impress actress Yvonne DeCarlo (future Mrs. Munster 'Lilly' of the 'The 'Munsters' TV show; 1965 -67?) and actress Mary MacDonald; Curt blurted out "George...why don't we make a picture 'Frankenstein Wolfs the Meat Man'...I mean 'Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man'?"
The rest is history! And a major 'B' level classic.
One of the first sequels (is it the 1st??) to continue two separate movies into one ('The Wolf Man'[1941] & 'The Ghost of Frankenstein'[1942]).
Lon Chaney Jr is the real star of this movie, in spite of his 'and...' billing in the opening credits (same as in 'Wolf Man'). He's excellent in continuing his character's pathos in his never ending search to end his torment. And for the first time (unlike 'The Wolf Man') Talbot's face metamorphosis' on screen into the Wolf Man.
Bela Lugosi, at 60 years old, as the Monster!! A necessary continuity in wake of 'Ghost of...'!! but it's sad, partly because of the decision to erase the 'Monster's' dialogue. Partly because many movie-goers wouldn't accept a Hungarian accent coming from the Monster/Ygor that, structure wise, made sense, but in execution, provoked unintentional laughter. (TRIVIA: the first look at the 'Frankenstein Monster' is stuntman Eddie Parker enclosed in the wall of ice where 'Talbot' discovers the Monster.) It's more pity that is directed toward Lugosi's performance, than criticism, when you realize that Bela did all he could to do to meet the demands of the role (he eventually collapsed toward the end of filming). And a fact that Lugosi played the Monster's character as blind as a result of a wrong blood type transfusion from the previous 'Frankenstein' entry.
Atmospheric and Fun! Director Roy William Neil's best film(?) {He directed the last eleven 'Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce's Sherlock Holmes' films). And some very nice set-pieces: including the defiling of Talbot's grave, the Wolf man's first (& second) prowl, Chaney's reaction to his 4 year lapse, reuniting with Meleva the Gypsy, the Frankenstein Castle and discovering the Monster, the village festival of new wine... and the final battle between...!!!!
Good double feature to 'The Wolf Man'!! So many great scenes that adds to the now on-going Frankenstein/Wolf Man story line from the 1940's. After this, Dracula flies in to join the next installment in 'House of Frankenstein'.
7 out of 10! One of my favorite all time horror films!!
The rest is history! And a major 'B' level classic.
One of the first sequels (is it the 1st??) to continue two separate movies into one ('The Wolf Man'[1941] & 'The Ghost of Frankenstein'[1942]).
Lon Chaney Jr is the real star of this movie, in spite of his 'and...' billing in the opening credits (same as in 'Wolf Man'). He's excellent in continuing his character's pathos in his never ending search to end his torment. And for the first time (unlike 'The Wolf Man') Talbot's face metamorphosis' on screen into the Wolf Man.
Bela Lugosi, at 60 years old, as the Monster!! A necessary continuity in wake of 'Ghost of...'!! but it's sad, partly because of the decision to erase the 'Monster's' dialogue. Partly because many movie-goers wouldn't accept a Hungarian accent coming from the Monster/Ygor that, structure wise, made sense, but in execution, provoked unintentional laughter. (TRIVIA: the first look at the 'Frankenstein Monster' is stuntman Eddie Parker enclosed in the wall of ice where 'Talbot' discovers the Monster.) It's more pity that is directed toward Lugosi's performance, than criticism, when you realize that Bela did all he could to do to meet the demands of the role (he eventually collapsed toward the end of filming). And a fact that Lugosi played the Monster's character as blind as a result of a wrong blood type transfusion from the previous 'Frankenstein' entry.
Atmospheric and Fun! Director Roy William Neil's best film(?) {He directed the last eleven 'Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce's Sherlock Holmes' films). And some very nice set-pieces: including the defiling of Talbot's grave, the Wolf man's first (& second) prowl, Chaney's reaction to his 4 year lapse, reuniting with Meleva the Gypsy, the Frankenstein Castle and discovering the Monster, the village festival of new wine... and the final battle between...!!!!
Good double feature to 'The Wolf Man'!! So many great scenes that adds to the now on-going Frankenstein/Wolf Man story line from the 1940's. After this, Dracula flies in to join the next installment in 'House of Frankenstein'.
7 out of 10! One of my favorite all time horror films!!