The Wolf Man (1941)
87%RT Audience Score: 80%
Awards & Nominations: NA
A handsomely told tale with an affecting performance from Lon Chaney, Jr., The Wolf Man remains one of the classics of the Universal horror stable
The Wolf Man is a classic horror movie that’s perfect for a spooky night in. Sure, the special effects may not be up to par with today’s standards, but Lon Chaney Jr.’s performance as the titular character is still a howling good time. Plus, who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned werewolf tale? Just make sure to lock your doors and windows before pressing play.
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros., Hawk Films, Peregrine
Distributor
Film Classics Inc., Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Screen Gems
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Passed
Year of Release
1941
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Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.37 : 1
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Runtime:1h 10m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1941 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 2, 1999
Genre(s)
Horror
Keyword(s)
starring Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy, Evelyn Ankers, Warren William, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya, directed by George Waggner, written by Curt Siodmak, horror, Universal horror, werewolf, gypsy, curse, transformation, make-up effects, atmospheric, melancholic, classic, iconic, special effects, brooding, unsettling, melancholic, short, quick pace, great story, terrific cast, memorable, defining actor, cinematic medium, riveting, impressive, simple, effective, reliable remake, transformation, American Werewolf in London, top horror movies, RT Podcasts, MCU movies, Netflix series, TV premiere dates, worst horror movies, best Netflix series
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Claude Rains – Sir John Talbot
Ralph Bellamy – Col. Paul Montford
Evelyn Ankers – Gwen Conliffe
Warren William – Dr. Lloyd
Patric Knowles – Frank Andrews
Bela Lugosi – Man/Werewolf (uncredited)
Maria Ouspenskaya – Maleva (uncredited)
George Waggner – Director/Producer
Curt Siodmak – Writer
Jack Pierce – Makeup Artist
Joseph A. Valentine – Cinematographer
Bernard B. Brown – Art Director
Russell A. Gausman – Art Director
Nathan Levinson – Sound Designer
Hans J. Salter – Composer
Director(s)
George Waggner
Writer(s)
Curt Siodmak
Producer(s)
George Waggner
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (4)
It finds modern sophistication and cultured intellects unprepared to deal with a threat that’s already at hand, maybe even under our own skin.
April 13, 2020 | Rating: B+
Keith Phipps
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
The whole thing is nonsensical, but occasionally strangely compelling.
April 13, 2020
SMH Staff
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
Lon Chaney, junior, has his first big role as The Wolf Man, but it would take a genius to “get away” with this role.
April 13, 2020
Age Staff
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
The Wolf Man serves its horror straight. A very substantial cast undertakes to sell believably a tale of superstitious folklore.
April 7, 2015
THR Staff
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
The Wolf Man is a compactly-knit tale of its kind, with good direction and performances by an above par assemblage of players, but dubious entertainment.
October 8, 2008
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
A stodgy Universal thriller from 1941, redeemed by a name-heavy cast and by Lon Chaney Jr.’s lumbering, affable performance in the title role.
October 8, 2008
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Essential for devising the modern concept of the werewolf, from which nearly every subsequent werewolf film has drawn inspiration, the film uses the guise of a horror yarn to consider the duality of human beings.
March 20, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
This is a classic horror movie that’s showing its age.
November 9, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Brian Costello
Common Sense Media
Ironically, The Wolf Man is stronger and creepier in the scenes without the wolf man.
April 13, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Daniel Barnes
Sacramento News & Review
This vehicle features Lom Chaney, jr., as a rather pathetic, and certainly unawesomely made-up. werewolf as the Thing which severs innocents’ jugular veins in the mists of English moors.
April 13, 2020
J.W. Stepp
Washington Star
The original and only entry in the Wolf Man series that I truly like. Lon Chaney, Jr. was born to play the troubled Larry Talbot, a guy who gets bitten by a werewolf (Bela Lugosi) and openly laments his future as the hairiest man in Europe. Nicely done.
October 26, 2014 | Rating: B+
Paul Chambers
Movie Chambers
Horror movies today rely on gore and as many jump out of your seat moments as they can throw at you. This one relies on old fashioned atmosphere and acting ability and that’s all it really needs.
October 13, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/4
Scott Nash
Three Movie Buffs…
Plot
Larry Talbot finds himself in an asylum, recovering from an operation performed by the kindly Dr. Mannering. Inspector Owen finds him there, too, wanting to question him about a recent spate of murders. Talbot escapes and finds Maleva, the old gypsy woman who knows his secret: when the moon is full, he changes to a werewolf. She travels with him to locate the one man who can help him to die – Dr. Frankenstein. The brilliant doctor proves to be dead himself, but they do find Frankenstein’s daughter. Talbot begs her for her father’s papers containing the secrets of life and death. She doesn’t have them, so he goes to the ruins of the Frankenstein castle to find them himself. There he finds the Monster, whom he chips out of a block of ice. Dr. Mannering catches up with him only to become tempted to monomania while using Frankenstein’s old equipment.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Lon Chaney Jr. delivers an affecting performance as Larry Talbot/The Wolf Man.
George-Waggner.jpg
