This month I've featured the Classic Monsters of the Movies issues for The Wolf Man and Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman. To continue the lycanthrope cycle, I'll now focus on Classic Monsters of the Movies: Werewolf of London, curated by writers Nige Burton & Jamie Jones, who do a grand job inspecting the 1935, Universal groundbreaker.
Werewolf of London may not have been as successful as The Wolf Man. However, the fable's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde mystique has been reassessed over the years, with Henry (Master of the World/The Fool Killer) Hull's resolute, calculating performance as botanist Dr. Wilfred Glendon (a verbalizing wolf man who sports a stylish cap) ranking as one of cinema's best, macabre personas, the influence of which can be found in later, werewolf movies, such as Mike Nichol's Wolf, starring Jack Nicholson.
Burton & Jones' 36-page volume covers the many participants who brought this amazing, terror tale to life, including director Stuart (Great Expectations/The Mystery of Edwin Drood) Walker; screenwriter John Colton; makeup artist Jack (The Wolf Man) Pierce; and joining the magnificent Hull, the wonderful Warner (Charlie Chan) Oland (as Glendon's lycanthropic rival, Dr. Yogami); Valerie (The Bride of Frankenstein) Hobson; Lester Matthews; Spring Byington; Lawrence Grant; J M. Kerrigan, Clark Williams; Ethel Griffies; Zeffie Tilbury; and a number of other consummate professionals and contributors.
In addition to spotlighting its cast, Burton & Jones relay the steps that Universal honcho Carl Laemmmle Sr. took to bring Werewolf of London to life, as it became a story of discovery and determination, with Hull's Glendon searching for a reprieve from his affliction through a Tibetan, Mariphasa lupina lumina plant. As such, Glendon's experimentation creates an ambiance comparable to the aforementioned Jekyll/Hyde, as well as The Invisible Man, The Invisible Ray, The Ape Man and Man Made Monster. One could, therefore, argue that the concept caters to science fiction as much as horror.
No matter how one categorizes it, Werewolf of London is first and foremost a monster movie: a fact celebrated in this "ultimate guide" (crammed as it is with photos, publicity materials, trivia and quotes). It's one of those movies that diehard, monster fans can't help but cherish, and now that Werewolf of London has reached its 90th anniversary-release mark, its place in historic monster-dom has become all the more revered.
Add Classic Monsters of the Movies: Werewolf of London to your library by visiting
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/werewolf-of-london-1935-ultimate-guide/
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