Souvenirs from Tibet
Werewolf of London (1935)
directed by Stuart Walker
rating: 3 out of 5 cravats
on DVD from Netflix
Werewolf of London has no fog but many shadows. The werewolf makeup predates the Cowardly Lion of Wizard of Oz by four years, and Lon Chaney Jr.'s more famous wolf man incarnation by six. Besides the incredible special effects, typified by an editing method that allows Dr. Glendon to "change" as he passes behind a series of columns, John Colton's screenplay provides surprisingly astute and understanding takes on class and marriage. The homoerotic undertones usually go without saying in Universal monster movies, but again, there is a gentleness and generosity here that sets Walker's film apart. Hardly camp, Werewolf of London is, instead, a fine sad tale about secrets, the past, and the circular transit of love.
directed by Stuart Walker
rating: 3 out of 5 cravats
on DVD from Netflix
Werewolf of London has no fog but many shadows. The werewolf makeup predates the Cowardly Lion of Wizard of Oz by four years, and Lon Chaney Jr.'s more famous wolf man incarnation by six. Besides the incredible special effects, typified by an editing method that allows Dr. Glendon to "change" as he passes behind a series of columns, John Colton's screenplay provides surprisingly astute and understanding takes on class and marriage. The homoerotic undertones usually go without saying in Universal monster movies, but again, there is a gentleness and generosity here that sets Walker's film apart. Hardly camp, Werewolf of London is, instead, a fine sad tale about secrets, the past, and the circular transit of love.
posted by NPK at 7:15 AM
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