The first half hour of this film is as good as any horror film Universal made in the forties, including the original Wolf Man. Really, what doesn't work so well is the fact that the whole Frankenstein story is added to it.
Chaney is really excellent in this film. If you watch the Wolf Man films in order, his whole wanting-to-die routine is not old in this one. He has some stand out acting moments, particularly when he terrifies the happy village singer by screaming at him that he doesn't want to live forever. It is perfectly awkward, embarrassing and disturbing. This film also boasts the very best transformation scenes from man to wolf. In my opinion, the first one in the hospital bed is the best special effect John Fulton ever did.
As a Wolf Man sequel, this film does an excellent job in consistency and following up on the previous film's characters. Maria Ouspenkaya returns as the gypsy woman, with Chaney begging her to help him die as she did for her son, Bela. We find out that Sir John died shortly after the events of the first film, adding a sad feeling and a further need for Lawrence (Chaney) to die.
As a Frankenstein sequel (to Ghost of Frankenstein), this film is practically an abomination. The monster was blind and had the brain of Ygor. For whatever reason someone at the top of Universal, after filming this picture, decided to remove all of the monster's dialogue and references to his blindness. Lugosi, who played the Monster was a good choice since he was Ygor in the previous two films. Viewers of this film must have prior knowledge that the monster is supposed to be blind otherwise Lugosi's performance looks disastrous. As it is, it's not great, but it is such a poorly written part based on the completed version. We can tell the monster is blind when he walks into the village and Chaney comes up to him and grabs him on the arm and says "It's me!". Obviously, you wouldn't do that to someone who could see you!! And on top of this, there are the usual inconsistencies between the Frankenstein films i.e. long-unknown relatives show up out of nowhere, who now are supposed to know everything about the monster; the villagers love/hate relationship with the Frankensteins, etc.
It's really too bad The Wolf Man never had a solo sequel. Considering Universal made 4 mummy sequels and 3 solo Frankenstein sequels, I always wonder why they left Dracula and the Wolf Man at bay. Particularly, the poor Wolf Man. If the second half of this film continued to only follow the Wolf Man, I think it would have topped the original. As it is, this has the Wolf Man kill more and the his make-up and action are truly excellent. The whole opening at the crypt and scenes in the hospital are terrific and actually improve on the original story in how the plot is not tied down into explaining the Wolf Man legend and introducing the character.
Roy William Neill's direction is fast paced and interesting. He keeps the camera moving - the opening shot in the graveyard is a true classic horror moment. The sets are perfect and eerie. The ending is fun, with a short but memorable battle of the titans. The acting is good too, with Atwill, Hoey and Dwight Frye in his last film, lending their professional, solid support.
That being said, this is ultimately Chaney's film. I am not a big fan of his acting, but he really has the part down in this film and for once someone needs to compliment his performance as the actual Wolf Man. He always gets praise for playing Larry Talbot, but he is athletic, wild and rampant as the Wolf Man in this film and he really carries the whole movie.
Chaney is really excellent in this film. If you watch the Wolf Man films in order, his whole wanting-to-die routine is not old in this one. He has some stand out acting moments, particularly when he terrifies the happy village singer by screaming at him that he doesn't want to live forever. It is perfectly awkward, embarrassing and disturbing. This film also boasts the very best transformation scenes from man to wolf. In my opinion, the first one in the hospital bed is the best special effect John Fulton ever did.
As a Wolf Man sequel, this film does an excellent job in consistency and following up on the previous film's characters. Maria Ouspenkaya returns as the gypsy woman, with Chaney begging her to help him die as she did for her son, Bela. We find out that Sir John died shortly after the events of the first film, adding a sad feeling and a further need for Lawrence (Chaney) to die.
As a Frankenstein sequel (to Ghost of Frankenstein), this film is practically an abomination. The monster was blind and had the brain of Ygor. For whatever reason someone at the top of Universal, after filming this picture, decided to remove all of the monster's dialogue and references to his blindness. Lugosi, who played the Monster was a good choice since he was Ygor in the previous two films. Viewers of this film must have prior knowledge that the monster is supposed to be blind otherwise Lugosi's performance looks disastrous. As it is, it's not great, but it is such a poorly written part based on the completed version. We can tell the monster is blind when he walks into the village and Chaney comes up to him and grabs him on the arm and says "It's me!". Obviously, you wouldn't do that to someone who could see you!! And on top of this, there are the usual inconsistencies between the Frankenstein films i.e. long-unknown relatives show up out of nowhere, who now are supposed to know everything about the monster; the villagers love/hate relationship with the Frankensteins, etc.
It's really too bad The Wolf Man never had a solo sequel. Considering Universal made 4 mummy sequels and 3 solo Frankenstein sequels, I always wonder why they left Dracula and the Wolf Man at bay. Particularly, the poor Wolf Man. If the second half of this film continued to only follow the Wolf Man, I think it would have topped the original. As it is, this has the Wolf Man kill more and the his make-up and action are truly excellent. The whole opening at the crypt and scenes in the hospital are terrific and actually improve on the original story in how the plot is not tied down into explaining the Wolf Man legend and introducing the character.
Roy William Neill's direction is fast paced and interesting. He keeps the camera moving - the opening shot in the graveyard is a true classic horror moment. The sets are perfect and eerie. The ending is fun, with a short but memorable battle of the titans. The acting is good too, with Atwill, Hoey and Dwight Frye in his last film, lending their professional, solid support.
That being said, this is ultimately Chaney's film. I am not a big fan of his acting, but he really has the part down in this film and for once someone needs to compliment his performance as the actual Wolf Man. He always gets praise for playing Larry Talbot, but he is athletic, wild and rampant as the Wolf Man in this film and he really carries the whole movie.