Such a frustrating disappointment

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

In my opinion, a classic like this doesn't really need a prolonged, overly descriptive review. It's actually a lot better now when I watch it as an adult, rather than when I saw it as a kid. My overall reaction? This film is great. You really start to feel bad for the main character who, simply cannot come to tell himself that what he is experiencing is even real. He is a poor soul, cursed with an ancient hex. You feel frustrated that the townspeople accuse him of simply murdering people, even when they see the clear signs that this is indeed something out of the ordinary. I will have to admit though, that the ending was a bit quick, and left you with a lot of questions. I feel like the ending could have been a lot better, and it also feels a tad bit rushed as well.

It almost plays out as a murder mystery until it becomes obvious to all that he becomes a "werewolf" after being infected by the gypsy woman's cursed son. She tries to help him deal with the problem several times. He wears the sign of the "pentagram" and can also "see" it in the palm of his next victim. A romance with the prettiest girl in town complicates matters, as well as his growing horror that he has become an unholy monster. It's so obvious what is coming after the "Wolfman Rhyme" is repeated at least 3 times. Filmed in the Universal "fog" that allowed most of the film to be shot indoors. Disappointing because it does not contain the facial transformation made famous in the sequels. Instead his legs and feet get real hairy, as does his chest, etc. He was hopelessly typecast, and a player in so many "B" pictures; he was an alcoholic most of his life. He knew he was a better actor than that. I feel his best work was in "Of Mice and Men" and "A&C Meet Frankenstein". He had the distinction of playing all 4 famous Universal Monsters, and reportedly "filled-in" for Glen Strange as "The Monster", in the fire scene of the A&C movie, after Glen broke his foot while filming.

Happy go lucky Lyle Talbott (a fine and likable performance by Lon Chaney Jr.) returns to his ancestral home in Wales. Things go awry for Larry after he gets bitten by a werewolf and hence becomes doomed to turn into a werewolf himself.Director George Waggner treats the fantastic premise with commendable sincerity, keeps the enjoyable and engrossing story moving along at a steady pace, and ably crafts a spooky Gothic atmosphere, with especially excellent use of the fog-shrouded forest sets. Curt Siodmark's smart script nicely sets up a coherent and compelling mythology for the wolf man. The fine acting by the capable cast holds this movie together: Claude Rains as Larry's proud and protective father John, Evelyn Ankers as the sweet Gwen Conliffe, Warren William as the practical Dr. Lloyd, Ralph Bellamy as the no-nonsense Colonel Montford, Patrick Knowles as the haughty Frank Andrews, and, in a truly bravura turn, Maria Ouspenskaya as wise old gypsy woman Maleva. Bela Lugosi has a neat cameo as sinister gypsy fortune teller Bela. Most importantly, Chaney's deeply sympathetic portrayal of the tormented protagonist gives this picture a substantial element of wrenching pathos and tragedy. Joseph A. Valentine's handsome black and white cinematography further enhances the overall eerie mood. Worthy of its classic status.

Lon Chaney Jr. Was at his best. This had a great and a very well known cast. There created horror with outstanding acting and music rather than blood and guts. This is when horror movies were a work of art! Well known actors like Raulph Bellamy, Bella Lugosi, and Claude Riens, played smaller roles than normal, while Evelyn and Lon carried this from beginning to end. We see the creature played by Chaney Jr. in many other movies, but this is the first appearance and where werewolf-ism is best explained.The suspense and down right terror created by the curse and the beast, are among the most memorable and spectacular in silver screen history!