Customer Reviews

Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For years, Bela Lugosi's performance as the Frankenstein monster has been mercilessly criticized, and the final released version of the film would seem to justify the critics. As a long-time Lugosi fan, I would like to offer a defense. It should be noted that the script for this film called for a blind (but speaking) monster (following up on its predecessor, "Ghost of Frankenstein", at the end of which the brain of Ygor (Lugosi) was placed in the body of the monster). Lugosi, therefore, portrayed the monster according to the script. In the final cut, unfortunately, all of Lugosi's dialogue was edited out, which is why the remaining sequences involving the monster don't always quite make sense. The real villain of this film is the person responsible for the dreadful editing. Hopefully, a fully restored version will be available someday, so that Lugosi's performance as the monster may be judged fairly. Outside of that, the rest of the film is fairly good, with an eerie and suspenseful beginning. The second half of the film is fairly weak. Although Chaney and Ouspenskaya are both quite good, the whole thing is a bit too talky, and terribly contrived (though not as much as the two films which followed). This one is hardly a classic, but nonetheless fairly entertaining. Grab some popcorn and enjoy it for what it is, but please don't blame Bela.

Universal's slickly produced "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" was the first of the monster pairings. This 1943 sequel remains a memorable showcase for Lon Chaney Jr.'s tragic werewolf - highlighted by excellent transformation sequences. Due to post-production tampering, Bela Lugosi's portrayal of the Frankenstein Monster proved less effective (the studio eliminated all references to his blindness). Nevertheless, Bela has a priceless moment when the Monster displays a wicked smile after regaining his full power. The long-awaited "rumble in the castle" is a horror-movie classic. "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" may not represent great art, but it's nostalgic fun.

This seems to mainly be a Werewolf film with the Frankenstein monster added to spice things up. Lon Chaney's thuggish Laurence Talbot is resurrected from his earlier outing to once again cause terror throughout the welsh land of Llanwelly (you know it's Welsh, because all the locals have either London or Scottish accents). He is treated by Dr. Mannering, played by Patrick Knowles. Knowles had, ironically played Talbot's love-rival in 'The Wolf-Man', and now here he was as his doctor! Soon, Lugosi's spitting, snarling monster is found. As is widely known, several pre-film cuts got rid of many of Lugosi's scenes, many of them speaking scenes, which made a nonsense of his blind, groping performance, and robbed the film of a flowing narrative. Stuntman Eddie Parker doubled as the monster throughout much of the story, especially the wonderful climactic fight scene at the end in the doomed laboratory. Great fun. This picture also features Dwight Frye in his final role in the Frankenstein series, as a blink-and-you'll-miss-him villager.

I will admit at first when I heard that Bela Lugosi was going to fill the shoes of Frankenstein creature who was originally played brilliantly by Boris Karloff I was sure I wouldn't like it. But Bela Lugosi's performance as the Frankenstein creation definitely surprised me, he made the character come to life and was very believable. As for Lon Chaney he was made for the part of the wolfman, I couldn't see anyone else being this role. The eerie and haunting music was a great addition to the movie, the sets were beautiful, the makeup and costumes for the wolfman and the frankenstein monster were absolutely amazing. What more could you ask for. This movie showcased two widely talented actors who were in their prime and it is a shame they are no longer with us. This is what great horror films are all about.

This movie is great, it is a great adittion to the classic Universal Monsters collection. It's got a quicker pace, a better story, and more excitement than some other monster movies like Dracula and House of Dracula. I recommend this to anyone who likes the monster of Frankenstein or the Wolfman because this has both! This is one of my favorite Universal Monsters movies. Get the popcorn and Pepsi it's starting!

a great movie. two of the best horror names finaly come together. it was great all the way up unto the end. lon did a great job. i do feel that bela could have done better. but it had a great plot. and an amazing ending. i loved the wolfman. it is truley one of my favorites

From the opening scenes in the windy, moon-lit graveyard, Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, stuns the viewer with its powerful atmosphere of menace. The beautifully photographed and lit film has an outstanding array of character actors. There's Doris Lloyd in a brief role as a hospital nurse, there's the marvelous old Maria Ouspenskya (who was burned alive at her home soon after making this film). Lionel Atwill and the wonderful Illona Massey are also terrific. Big question: Massey was famous for her beautiful singing voice. Why wasn't she allowed to sing during the scene of the village's festivities? Also, why didn't Universal use her to better advantage? Like the stunning Evelyn Ankers, who was so memorable in "Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror", "The Pearl of Death" and of course, "The Wolf Man," her talents were utterly wasted by an indifferent studio. Anyway, this movie has it all: knock-out production values, eerie lighting and expressionistic sets, outstanding acting by all involved. One of the last of Universal's great shockers.

A sequel to both THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN and THE WOLF MAN, the first of Universal's monster clashes is without doubt, the best Universal monster movie ever made! Now, many may disagree, saying how Bela is no Monster. True, he lacked the special quality of Karloff's monster, but if you view this film not as a critic, you'll see that he plays it quite well, especially in the finale. As for the plot, the title says it all. Hoping for Dr. Frankenstein to help him, Talbot comes to Vasaria to find that the doc is dead. He finds the monster in ice and convinces the Monster, Dr. Mannering, and Elsa Frankenstein to help him. Mannering sort of betrays Talbot, who becomes the Wolfman. As a raging flood is about to destroy the castle ruins, the two monsters battle to be swept away in the flood. This one has it all. Eerie atmosphere, excellent plot, great acting, and a good pace that never bores the viewer for a second. And it's full of action. The best of the Frankenstein/Wolfman movies!

This is a great movie with Bela Lugosi as Frankenstein and Lon Chaney, Jr. as the great wolfman. Sure Karloff was a much better Frankenstein than Lugosi but you must give him credit for playing this role and doing a good job at it. Many people just think of Bela as Dracula but lots don't know he played Frankenstein. Resurected Larry Talbot (Wolfman) has the curse of the werewolf upon him and needs to find a way to rid of the evil in him. He finds the gypsy woman and she offers him help but warns him about it. He then goes on the run and wakes up in castle frankenstein if you will and discovers Frankensteins frozen body. He de-freezes him by breaking him out of the glacier of ice he is in. They both become "friends"..... but I don't want to ruin the rest for you. I really advise you to buy the movie or rent, it is a very good movie worth paying for, (not alot!).Enjoy the movie!

Beginning after the events of THE WOLF MAN and THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN, Larry Talbot has returned. Thawing out the Monster, Talbot uses it to find Frankenstein's diary so he can at last be at peace. Exciting from the start, action builds up to reveal an excting and well done finale!