Movie Info
Movie Name: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man
Studio: Universal Studios
Genre(s): Horror
Release Date(s): March 5, 1943
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Ah….a werewolf transformation. I just wish this was my movie instead of Frank’s
When grave robbers raid the tomb of Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) and remove the wolfsbane keeping him from being reborn, the Wolf Man stalks again! Seeking help for his affliction, Talbot turns to the old gypsy Maleva (Maria Ouspenskaya) who in turn seeks out the legendary Doctor Frankenstein. Uncovering Frankenstein’s monster (Bela Lugosi), Talbot sees the Monster as his only hope in death. Joined by Baroness Elsa Frankenstein (Ilona Massey) and a doctor named Mannering (Patric Knowles) following in Frankenstein’s footsteps, the Wolf Man and the Monster face off in a battle which could lead to their deaths!
Directed by Roy William Neill, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man takes place after The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) and The Wolf Man (1941). The movie was initially met with negative reviews, but is regarded as a horror classic.
Hey, it’s Frankenstein’s monster…too bad it’s so far into the movie
I loved the Wolf Man when I was little and Frankenstein (of course when you’re young you think the Monster is Frankenstein). The idea of both monsters set-up in a grudge match is a kid’s dream and has been emulated in countless movies since.
The story really should be The Wolf Man Meets Frankenstein instead of the other way around. Lon Chaney, Jr. is obviously the star of the movie and is featured throughout the film (while Bela Lugosi’s Monster doesn’t show up until the second half). The story is poor, but most of these old horror movies have the story being incidental to the monster…Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man is no exception.
Lon Chaney, Jr. might not have been the best actor of all time, but as Talbot, he does come off as sympathetic…he does a good job making you feel sorry for the guy. Ouspenskaya is great as the gypsy woman, and I find her to be a scene stealer. Lugosi was the monster by default. With Talbot playing the Wolf Man, he couldn’t return as the monster and Lugosi was pretty weak. Some of Lugosi’s problems involve the script which cut out dialogue and the revelation that the Monster has been blinded by his brain transplant. Ilona Massey and Patric Knowles feel kind of thrown in to the movie as the descendant of Frankenstein and the scientist stupid enough to carry on his experiments.
The fight you’ve been waiting for…and were disappointed by (it pretty much is the Wolf Man jumping on Frank repeatedly)
The movies are always about the monsters, and the Wolf Man and Frankenstein Monster are still great looking, iconic creations. The sets are pretty weak, but the black-and-white visuals at least make them look a bit classier.
As opposed to some of the later Universal monster movies, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man is still fun. The throw down promised by the title doesn’t last long, but with some great publicity stills for the film, it feels more memorable than it might really be. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man was followed by House of Frankenstein in 1944.
Related Links:
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)
