The Wolf
Man
Originally released in 1941
Lon Chaney, Jr. as the Wolf Man
When Larry Talbot returns to his father's estate in Wales after living
in America, he begins a frightening journey that would ultimately lead
to his death. While at a gypsy camp in the forest, the girl who accompanies
him is bitten by Bela (played by Bela Lugosi), a gypsy who turns into a
werewolf when the moon is full. Larry saves the girl and kills the
wolf, but is bitten in the act. Thus begins his transformation into
a werewolf, and when he starts killing without knowing it, he is chased
into the forest by Sir John Talbot (Claude Rains) and other townspeople,
and is eventually killed. This movie was the last great horror film
released by Universal Pictures until The Creature from the Black Lagoon
was made in 1954.
L.C. Subject Headings
The following Library of Congress Subject Heading
is for use in searching the on-line catalog for materials pertaining to
The
Wolf Man.
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Horror Films.
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Horror Films – Catalogs.
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Horror Films – Encyclopedias.
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Wolf Man.
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Wolf Man (Motion picture).
Reviews
The New York Times Film Reviews 1913-1968.
Vol. 3, 1939-1948. New York: The New York Times & Arno Press,
1970.
[Davis Ref: PN 1995 .N4 v3]
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The Wolf Man – p. 1831, Dec. 22, 1941; 24:5.
Variety Film Reviews 1907-1980. Vol.
6, 1938-1942. New York: Garland Publishing the Inc., 1983.
[Davis Ref: PN 1995 .V34 v4]
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The Wolf Man – Dec. 17, 1941.
Video
The Wolf Man. 1987.
[UL NonPrint: 65-V2765]
The last great Universal horror film
until
The Creature from the Black Lagoon in 1954, The Wolf Man
stars Lon Chaney, Jr. as Larry Talbot, a man who is bitten by a werewolf
and then becomes one himself. Also starring Claude Rains, this 1941
release was an attempt by Universal Pictures to get back on top after their
reputation dropped during the late 1930’s. With great special effects
and makeup, this film drew a large audience. However, the career of Chaney
Jr. would never see him in a movie of this grandeur again.