For those who've purchased Classic Monsters of the Movies' revised, Wolf Man edition (see early October post), the publisher offers a splendid tie-in.
In this regard, Classic Monsters of the Movies' writers/researchers Nige Burton and Jamie Jones have assessed 1943's Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman (take note of Universal making "Wolf Man" one word), in a 36-page, encyclopedic dissection of the profitable, crossover sequel to The Wolf Man and The Ghost of Frankenstein.
The authors explain how Lugosi segued from Ghost ... as the Frankenstein Monster, portraying Ygor in the tale, with Lon Chaney Jr. as the Monster, who gets Ygor's brain in the end, while being blinded by flames and speaking in the latter's voice. (Lugosi's Monster was to have verbalized his Ygor side to Talbot, but those scenes were, alas, cut.) And lest we forget, Lugosi plays the gypsy, Bela, who bites Chaney's Larry Talbot to turn him into The Wolf Man. Anyway, Lugosi's casting as the Monster, if only by Chaney association, seems ordained.
Regardless of its colliding "coincidences," Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman is significant for being Universal's breakthrough, monster team-up, and its box-office tally led to an ongoing, shared universe among its frightful figures, but the first brims not only of thrills, but touching camaraderie and treacherous confrontation: enough to make it one of the great sequels, or so some have argued.
In addition to their Chaney/Lugosi focus, Burton and Jones highlight the movie's supporting cast in an appreciated, biographical rundown: distinguished Maria Ouspenskaya (who as the compassionate Maleva is as meaningful in this follow-up as in The Wolf Man); dashing Patric Knowles (also in The Wolf Man, though recast as Dr. Frank Mannering); the always reliable Lionel Atwill (as the Mayor); the gorgeous Ilona Massey (as Elsa Frankenstein); the shrewd Dennis Hoey (as Police Inspector Owen); and stuntmen/understudies Gil Perkins and Eddie Parker in Jack Pierce's iconic, Monster makeup for those more physical scenes. Director Roy William (Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon) Neill, writer Curt Siodmak (who added so much to the werewolf mythology in the founding, Talbot chapter), producer George Waggner (director of The Wolf Man) and composer Hans Salter (who once again supplies his memorable cues) receive respectful mention and kudos.
As mentioned (and for a furthering, marginal note), Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman's impact led to even bigger, monster groupings, including House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, though its influence is just as evident in The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters and The Ship of Monsters. Paul Nashy, Jess Franco, Sam Sherman and Al Adamson's macabre mixes pay homage to it, in addition to Toho and Legendary's kaiju battles, along with a heap of Lucha libra efforts. There are also Freddy vs. Jason, the Alien vs Predator set (Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman is seen on a monitor in the first flick), plus a queue of related rallies that include Dark Shadows, Penny Dreadful, Mad Monster Party?, Monster Squad 1976 & 1987, House of Frankenstein 1997, Frankenstein vs the Creature of Blood Cove, Frankenstein vs The Mummy, Tales of Dracula, Monster Brawl and Monster Mash 1993 & 2024.
To make Burton and Jones' commemoration even more inviting, the "deluxe collector's item edition" is packed with stills and promotional materials, bridged by facts and trivia, all printed on luxurious, stock paper.
This comprehensive volume demands to be in your collection, especially if you have either or both Wolf Man editions. Order Classic Monsters of the Movies: Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman at
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/frankenstein-meets-the-wolf-man-1943-ultimate-guide/
No comments:
Post a Comment