CLASSIC MOVIE CORNER: "The Wolf Man" (1941)

“The Wolf Man” (1941)

MPAA Rating: Not rated

Directed by: George Waggner

Starring: Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Evelyn Ankers, Bela Lugosi

The Gist: You thought your uncle’s back was hairy? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

The Story: Larry Talbot (Chaney) returns to his ancestral Welsh home, feeling like the prodigal son. Estranged from his father, Sir John Talbot (Rains), he comes home after his only brother is killed in a hunting accident. John wants to make amends with Larry, his only remaining heir. Talbot’s manner is a little rough around the edges, but he’s got an easy charm with the ladies of the nearby village. Larry takes a liking to Gwen (Ankers), who works at an antique store. She sells Larry a silver-handled cane, which comes in handy when the two go out for a moonlit stroll. They come upon a wolf attacking Gwen’s friend, Jenny. Larry beats the wolf to death, but not before he himself is bitten. When the autumn moon rises, Larry goes barking mad.

The Review: Like many of the classic Universal Studios monsters, The Wolf Man is as much a victim as he is a villain. Chaney’s werewolf is an especially tragic figure. He comes home seeking to patch things up with his dad and find redemption, love, acceptance and a place to call home. But fate dooms him to be forever an outsider. Let’s be honest, the special effects are laughably cheesy. The werewolf makeup makes Chaney look about as scary as a teddy bear. It’s Chaney’s first-class acting that sells the story. His heartbreak and horror as he becomes a beast feels honest. Anyone with a heart can’t help but feel sorry for him.

The Classic Quote: Larry: "What big eyes you have, Grandma.”

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)