DRACULA (1931)

Bela Lugosi first portrayed the bloodthirsty Count Dracula on Broadway for 261 successful performances in 1927. Then between 1928 to 1930, Lugosi continued with the production touring the United States. The play was written by Hamilton Deane and John Balderston, which was loosely adapted from the literary masterpiece by Bram Stoker. When Universal Pictures purchased the rights of the play in 1927, Bela Lugosi was not the first choice for the role of Dracula instead it was Lon Chaney. But as fate would have Chaney passed away in 1930 and Lugosi was able to reprise the role on to the big screen. Lugosi was paid $500.00 a week for a seven-week shooting schedule, which was considered meager by Hollywood standards, even in the depression era.

Lugosi would go on to reprise his iconic role only one more time in the screwball comedy ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948), which would be Lugosi last A-list film. Lugosi 'career declined rapidly into the skids of obscure low budget films. Instead of reinventing himself, Lugosi clung on to his typecast persona as the bloodthirsty count. He continued to act and dress as his signature role in his personal life. When Lugosi passed away, he requested to be buried wearing his trademark vampire cape.

 Our film opens with Act 2 of Swan Lake, which dramatically prepare us for the journey on a stagecoach filled with passengers climbing up the mountainside. Among the passengers is Renfield (Dwight Frye) who has traveled a long way to meet his employer, Count Dracula. The villagers implore Renfield not to continue on to Castle Dracula. But Renfield dismisses their warnings as local superstitions and goes to meet the carriage at midnight sent by Count Dracula. As the stagecoach continues on with Renfield being its only passenger up the mountainside. In the distance, we see Castle Dracula.

The next scene moves ahead, beyond the stagecoach, to inside the Castle Dracula. Down to the bowels of the castle lies four coffins which occupy the undead. Hands reaching out and then opening coffins creates the ambiance that prepares us for the coming out of Count Dracula ( Bela Lugosi) and his brides dressed in white. Then the howling sounds of wolves can be heard as it fills the air.

Renfield is quickly dropped off at Borgo Pass, where a carriage awaits. The driver bears a strong resemblance to Count Dracula. He never says a word, only points to Renfield to climb aboard. While aboard the carriage, Renfield leans out to speak to the driver only to discover, that the driver had vanished. His eyes widened with fear when he sees a BAT guiding the horses.

Once at Castle Dracula, Renfield learns that he was not dreaming that the driver had vanished into thin air. That moment Renfield could hear the creaking the castle door behind him opening inviting him in. With some reservation, Renfield climbs up the stairs into the looming castle. Inside the castle, Renfield was taken back by its present state of ruin, filled with cobwebs and critters roaming about. One could tell that the majestic castle had seen better days. The next question would come to mind, would be where was the staff? 

Silently, Count Dracula ( Bela Lugosi) makes his grand entrance in his dapper attire which includes a black tuxedo and cape. The only thing missing would be a top hat, but that would mess up his perfectly slicked backed hairstyle. Renfield was surprised when he turned around to see his employer. Count Dracula who was halfway down the staircase holding a candle says his infamous quote " I am Dracula... I bid you WELCOME."

Renfield follows Count Dracula to his appointed room. We learn that Renfield was sent secretly to deliver papers of the lease of Carfax Abbey and that Count Dracula had charted a ship to England, which would be leaving Transylvania tomorrow evening. Then Renfield accidentally receives a paper cut, trying to put away the important documents. Immediately Count Dracula is drawn to the blood spilling out of Reinfield's finger. But is saved by the crucifix that the village woman had insisted him in taking. But that won't stop Count Dracula the next time. Immediately after Dracula's departure, Renfield falls unconscious after an appearance of a BAT. Dracula's brides move in on the prey who lives helplessly on the floor but are quickly dismissed by Count Dracula. The bloodthirsty count shows his true colors as he crouches down to feed on Renfield.

Renfield now lives only to his serve his master Count Dracula, as they journey across the ocean to England on board The Vesta. Before the ship would dock in London, DEATH would descend upon its crew and its captain. Renfield would be the sole survivor found amongst the crew of corpses left behind by Count Dracula. Classified as a raving maniac, Renfield becomes patient under observation at Dr. Seward's Sanitarium. While Count Dracula is free to roam amongst the living in London. Dracula's next victim would be a poor flower girl who was unfortunate to be in his path of destruction.

After satisfying his hunger for human blood from the flower girl, Dracula decides to attend the theater. It is there where Count Dracula has his chance meeting with Dr. Seward (Herbert Bunston), who is the attending physician to Renfield. The Count would also meet his lovely daughter Mina ( Helen Chandler ) and her fiancée John Harker ( David Manners) and the beautiful Miss Lucy (Frances Dade) who is visiting them. We learn from Count Dracula that Dr. Seward's sanitarium is the adjoining property to where he is leasing Carfax Abbey

The next evening Count Dracula would pay Miss Lucy an unannounced social call in her boudoir. That what happens when you leave your bedroom window open for any BATTY intruder can fly in. The next day, Miss Lucy's dead body would be examined by a group of physicians who would notice the two same marks on her neck that resemble the other victims of the most recent killing. spree.

Edward Van Sloan brilliantly plays Dr. Van Helsing, a role that he originated on Broadway. Dr. Van Helsing has a theory that there a VAMPIRE behind all those recent unexplained deaths. But his colleagues are not buying into his native superstitions and folklore. Dr. Van Helsing also believes that Renfield is somehow linked to these unsolved cases. While assessing Renfield, Dr. Van Helsing learns that he had been talking to the wolves at night. To prove his theory, Dr. Van Helsing whips out some wolfbane causing Renfield to shrink back. Before Renfield is escorted back to his room, he gives the warning to be sent away or he cannot be responsible whatever happens to Miss Mina.

The next morning, Dr. Helsing overheard Miss Mina telling John about her bad dream she had last night. The dream consists of her bedroom filling with mist, that it was thick that she could only see two RED EYES staring at her. Then a white livid face came out the mist that came closer and closer. Then Mina became very upset, which prompt Dr. Helsing to her side. He questioned her about her dream and why she was wearing the silk scarf about her neck. Dr. Van Helsing persuaded Mina to remove the scarf, which reveal two puncture mark on her neck. The same mark that bare resemblance to the marks on Miss Lucy and the other victims. When Dr. Van Helsing inquired when she received the marks on her neck. Mina replied after her dream. Ironically, when John questioned his fiancée how she receives the marks, Count Dracula was announced into the room.

During Count Dracula's impromptu visit, an important aspect was revealed about the visitor to Dr. Van Helsing. The fact that Count Dracula does not cast a reflection in a mirror of a cigarette box, concludes that he is one of the undead. Which would mean that Count Dracula is VAMPIRE? But unfortunately, Count Dracula is aware that Van Helsing is unto him after Van Helsing tipped his hand exposing the mirror trick to him. After knocking the cigar box out of Van Helsing hand, Count Dracula politely excuse his behavior as not liking mirrors and that Dr. Van Helsing would explain. Then Count Dracula made his exit out to the patio.

After Count Dracula 's sudden exit, Dr. Van Helsing explains the principles of a vampire like it must drink from the living to survive, it's power only lasts from sunset to sunrise, during the day it must rest in the earth it was buried to Dr. Seward and John Harker. Then sinister laughter could from the behind the closed door, it was Renfield eavesdropping. Renfield encourages Dr. Seward to be guided by Dr. Van Helsing. Suddenly a maid ( Joan Standing)burst in the room telling them that Miss Mina was found unconscious on the grounds. Dr. Van Helsing, Dr. Seward, and John Harker ran to see Miss Mina, leaving the maid alone with Renfield. His sinister laugh must have got to the maid rendering her unconscious on the floor. Renfield then crawled across the floor to the prey that laid helpless before him. It's not certain what Renfield did to the maid, because the scene cuts out when he reaches her and she does appear later very much alive.

Miss Mina was found alive, but not out of danger. We also find out that Miss Lucy presumed dead and buried, is now one of the undead. She is the mysterious woman in white, who entices children and slightly bites them in the neck. Miss Mina told Dr. Helsing that she saw Miss Lucy when she was out on the terrace one evening. Miss Lucy came out of the shadows towards her looking like a hungry animal like a wolf. Then she turned back and ran into the night. Dr. Helsing promises Miss Mina that after tonight he will save Miss Lucy's soul from this horror. Miss Mina begs Van Hensling if the time comes she wants her soul saved as well. Miss Mina's bedroom room has been prepared with wolfbane to keep away the bloodthirsty Count.

When Count Dracula returned that evening,  he seeks out Van Helsing giving him the warning to go back to his own country. But Van Helsing was determined to protect the people, he would destroy. Count Dracula confessed that it was too late for Miss Mina because his blood now runs through her veins. Van Helsing threatens Count Dracula that he will kill him by driving a stake through his heart while resting in his coffin.

Count Dracula became outraged and held out his arm from his cape, pointing at Van Helsing.  Count Dracula demanded that Van Helsing come to him.  Van Helsing tried to stand his ground but felt himself being compelled against his will to comply. Van Helsing drew closer and closer, fighting against every step he took brought him closer to certain death. Suddenly, Van Helsing began to regain his own will defeating that of the bloodthirsty Count who stood before. Count Dracula complimented Van Helsing on his strong will and then started to lunge towards him. Van Helsing whipped out his crucifix which made Count Dracula drawback and retreat.

 Miss Mina became intolerable, making demands to her rid the wolf bane that would protect her life. Miss Mina clearly has lost her mind going against doctor orders, going out onto the terrace.  John tries to comforts Mina but is disturbed by a large bat that has been seen there before. Mina seems to be conversing with the bat. John then shoos the flying pest away. Mina then makes her move on John trying to bite his neck. Luckily, Van Helsing was able to rescue him from his bloodthirsty fiancée. Mina confesses to John that Count Dracula made her drink his blood.

Later that evening, Count Dracula compelled the Nurse to take down the wolfbane for he could enter Miss Mina 's bedroom. Dracula takes Miss Mina to Carfax Abbey. Renfield joins Dracula at Carfax Abbey with Van Helsing and John Harker following behind. But Dracula soon discovered that Renfield had been followed. Thinking that Renfield had betrayed him, Dracula kills him and throws his body down the stairs. Dracula makes haste carrying Miss Mina down to the cellar.  Mina's screams could be heard from the cellar. Van Helsing and John make their way to the cellar to save Miss Mina from a fate worse than death.

Suddenly they come across his and her coffins.  Van Helsing finds Count Dracula resting peacefully in his coffin, but the other is unoccupied. Where is Miss Mina? John goes searching for his bloodthirsty fiancée, while Van Helsing drives a stake into Count Dracula's heart. Every strike at the stake seems to render Miss Mina from Count Dracula's influence. Miss Mina was able to escape being apart of the undead because the daylight stopped Dracula from killing her. Which is the reason she was not able to occupy her coffin? The finale has the two lovebirds walking away without Van Helsing who remains behind. Maybe Van Helsing is waiting for Miss Lucy perhaps.

                                   FILM FACTS

Bette Davis was considered for the role of Mina, but Universal Head Carl Laemmle thought she lacked sex appeal.

Universal sent a memo to Director Todd Browning stating only scenes of Dracula attacking women would be allowed.  The studio wanted to void any perception of any Gay subtext.

Lon Chaney was originally chosen to play Dracula, however, he died in 1930 before the film went into production. His son Lon Chaney Jr. would later play Count Dracula's son Count Alucard in the second sequel SON OF DRACULA (1943).

Bela Lugosi would reprise his role as Dracula only one time in the spoof comedy ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948). Lugosi would play Dracula - like characters in other films like RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE (1943) and PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959).

The SPANISH version of DRACULA (1931) with Carlos Villarais was filmed at night on the same set at the same time.

Edward Van Sloan (Dr. Van Helsing) and Herbert Bunston ( Dr. Seward) were the only actors along with Bela Lugosi (Dracula) to reprise their roles from the original 1927 Broadway production of DRACULA  that ran 261 very successful performances.

DRACULA became the SIXTH most popular film of 1931.

Bela Lugosi was honored in U.S. Postal Stamp series in 1997.

The ORIGINAL shooting script has Dr. Van Helsing destroying  Lucy Weston when she has become one of the UNDEAD. The scene has Dr.Van Helsing bringing John Harker to the graveyard to prove that vampires exist. There they witness the not so dead  Miss Lucy walking into the mausoleum. Dr. Van Helsing pulls out a parcel and follows her with the intention of eliminating her. Strangely there was cut back to a scene with Dracula abducting Miss Mina. Which is quite unfortunate because the film introduces the fact that Miss Lucy has become vampire lurking in the shadows preying on small children. But the character never gets her demise as she does in other Dracula films that follow.

IMMORTAL DIALOGUE

"Take this for your MOTHER'S SAKE ."

"I am Dracula "

" Listen to them, Children of the Night, What Music they make."

Dracula; " This is a very old wine. I hope you like it.

Renfield: " Aren't you drinking ?"

Dracula: " I NEVER drink wine."

Renfield: "Who WANTS flies?"

Martin: " You do, You Loonie  !!"

"To die, to be really DEAD. That must be GLORIOUS !!!"

" Come here !!!"

" My blood, now runs through her veins."

      " I am loyal to you MASTER, I am your SLAVE, I didn't betray you! Oh, no, don't KILL me! let me live, please, punish me, torture me. but let me live! I can't die with all those lives on my conscience. All that BLOOD on my hands !" 

FABRICATED DIALOGUE

"YOU are just what we been LOOKING for a HOT BLOODED MAN."

" You've put on some WEIGHT, since the last time I carried you!!"

   

                           THE CAST                  

Count Dracula ... BELA LUGOSI

              Renfield ... Dwight Frye

Dr. Van Henslig ... Edward Van Sloan

Dr. Seagrove ... Hebert Bunston

Miss Mina .... Helen Chandler

John Harker ... David Manners

Lucy Weston ... Frances Dade

Martin ... Charles K. Gerard

Maid ... Joan Standing

MY BOTTOM LINE is ...

DRACULA (1931) is a classic horror masterpiece. Todd Manning raised the bar high with the first entry of the Universal Monsters. Many could have played Dracula, but I feel lacked the charisma that Bela Lugosi brought to his signature character. Lugosi embodied the role so much that it was hard to differentiate the actor from the character. Lugosi delivers his dialogue with such swagger like  " Listen to them, Children of the Night. What music they make." The film is filled with memorable quotes that make it enjoyable for continuous viewing and a Cult Classic. Some may find this film a period piece that doesn't quite hold to today 's standards of blood and gore. Frankly, I can do without the blood and gore. Unlike Christopher Lee and all the others who came after him, Lugosi played his bloodthirsty Count totally FANG FREE.  I highly recommend this film for those who appreciate horror classic films.

                        

                                                       

                              

THE WOLF MAN (1941)

Lon Chaney Jr. was overshadowed by his famous father Lon Chaney Sr, star of the silent era, who was well known for his shocking transformations of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1923) & THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925). But the apple didn't all far from the tree, like father, like son, Lon Chaney Jr would follow in his father's footsteps into the movie monster genre. Chaney Jr would be transformed into many famous universal monsters throughout his career, including The Mummy, Dracula, Frankenstein in their sequels. The role of The Wolf Man is how Chaney Jr would be best remembered. But Chaney Jr. would never achieve or surpass his father's fame.

By the 1950's, Chaney primarily appeared in low budgets horror films such as  INDESTRUCTABLE MAN (1956), BRIDE OF THE GORILLA (1951) and ALLIGATOR PEOPLE (1959). However, Chaney Jr was able to be a supporting player in two films that are now regarded as classics which are HIGH NOON (1952) and THE DEFIANT ONES (1958). Eventually, Chaney Jr gave up his dream of becoming more famous than his father. Years of heavy drinking and heavy smoking would take it toll on Chaney Jr's health. He battled throat cancer and chronic heart disease among other ailments that would plague his life. Unfortunately, Chaney Jr's swan song would not be in a grand universal horror film production, but that of a low budget variety called FRANKENSTEIN VS. DRACULA (1971) as Dr. Frankenstein's deaf-mute henchman.

Our film opens with a homecoming of the prodigal son, Larry Talbot ( Lon Chaney Jr) of Sir John Talbot ( Claude Rains) returning to his childhood home, Talbot Castle. Larry had been estranged for eighteen years, after learning that his older brother would be the sole heir to the family castle. Unfortunately, it would take the death of his brother, who was killed in a hunting accident to return him back to his father's estate. Now, reacquainted Sir John and Larry decide to put the past behind them and focus on the future. Sir John wastes no time in trying to groom Larry to be the heir of Talbot Castle. 

While repairing his father's telescope, Larry catches a glimpse of a local beauty in her boudoir, who lives above an antique shop. Larry decides to go down to the village to take in the local color. Inside the antique shop, Larry immediately put the moves on the counter girl, who happens to be the same one, he saw through the telescope. He learns that her name is Gwen Conliffe ( Evelyn Ankers) and her father owns the shop. Larry continues to flirt with Gwen while rummaging through some canes. He selects a silver-topped cane with werewolf's head and pentagram. Gwen recites the legend of the werewolf to Larry, telling him that every werewolf is marked with pentagram and see it's in his next victim's hand. Larry decides to purchase the cane.

Now, outside the shop, Larry is still trying to coax Gwen on a date, who had followed him out. Then a wagon rolls by with a couple gypsies. Gwen tells Larry that they are fortune tellers and they come every year at this time.  Larry then informs Gwen that they are going to get their fortune read. Gwen declines his offer. But Larry doesn't take no for answer, telling her that he will pick her up at eight and walks away.

When Larry returns to pick up Gwen for their date, he finds that three is definitely a crowd. Gwen had asked her best friend Jenny Williams (Fay Helm) to join them. On foot, the three make their way through the woods towards the gypsy camp.  Jenny discovers some wolfbane along the way and delivers the werewolf poem ...."Even a man who is pure in heart, and say his prayers by night; may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright."

Once at the gypsy camp, Jenny wants to be the first to have her future read by Bela, the fortune teller (Bela Lugosi). Originally the Wolf man was to be played Lugosi.  Unfortunately, by the time the project was greenlighted, Lugosi was considered to old for the role at the age of 58. As a consolation, Lugosi was given a smaller part as the werewolf who turns Larry Talbot into a wolf. Back to the synopsis, While reading Jenny 's palm, Bela sees the pentagram. He immediately sends Jenny away refusing to read any more about her future, because he knows that she is his next victim. Jenny flees from the wagon, looking for Gwen and Larry who took a stroll. Suddenly, the still of the night is disrupted by the howling sound of a wolf. Immediately it was followed by the shrieking scream from Jenny. Larry instructs Gwen to stay behind, while he investigates the situation. When Larry came to Jenny's aide, he saw that she was being attacked by a large wolf.  He tried to get the wolf away from her. The wolf leaps up and bit him in the chest. Larry defended himself with new silver-topped cane and beat the wolf to death.

Gwen finds Larry seriously injured by being bitten by the wolf. Thankfully, Bela's mother Maleva ( Maria Ouspenkaya) was just passing by, helps Gwen bring Larry back to Talbot's Castle. News gets out that Jenny William's body is discovered in the woods and that she had been murdered. Jenny's throat had been savagely ripped open.  It appears to be afflicted by a wild animal like a wolf. Then another body is discovered, that of Bela, the Fortune Teller. But Bela's cause of death is quite different than Jenny's. His skull had smashed by cane with a heavy silver topper of the wolf, which was found alongside the dead body.

There are some unexplained questions that need some answers on what happened the night Jenny Williams was killed. The next morning Sir John receives some uninvited guests to the Talbot Castle, who are there to question his son. Colonel Montford ( Ralph Bellamy) and Dr. Lloyd ( Warren William) show Larry a cane and ask if it belongs to him. Larry in turn, say that the cane does belong to him and that he had just purchased at the antique shop that very night. Larry learns that Bela, the Fortune Teller was murdered with his cane. Larry insists that he killed a WOLF, not a MAN !! Speculations are that maybe Larry and Bela, both ran to Jenny's rescue, but were confused in the fog. Larry tries to prove that he did kill a WOLF, by showing them his wolf bite. But his confirmation seemed to be fruitless because his wound magically healed.

Maleva confirms the fact to Larry, that he did kill a wolf. But the wolf was her son Bela, who was a werewolf. She continued to state that a werewolf can only be killed by a silver bullet, silver knife, or a stick with a silver handle. Larry doesn't want to believe it.  He would rather believe the old gypsy woman is insane, instead of him killing a man instead of a wolf. Maleva offers Larry a charm of the pentagram of the wolf that will break the evil spell. She also adds "Whoever is bitten by a werewolf... and lives becomes a werewolf himself." Larry takes the charm and gives it to Gwen for protection against him.

Larry races back to Talbot's castle to his bedroom. There he discovers after taking off his shoes and sock, that his legs and feet are growing hair. Then the transformation is complete, sending Larry outside into the moonlight looking for prey. He immediately comes upon a gravedigger and kills him. The next morning, Larry awakens back in the bedroom.  He notices that he has the sign of the pentagram. As he climbs out of a bed, he sees muddy wolf tracks leading to the window sill. He quickly tries to wipe them away. From the window, Larry could see Colonel Montford had been following the wolf tracks to the castle. Larry learns from his father that the gravedigger was killed last night and that animal tracks lead to their house. Larry asks his father about the folklore of The Werewolf, which scientific name is Lycanthropia. Sir John tells his son that he does not believe that man can turn into a werewolf. But he believes that anything can happen inside a man's mind.

The very next night, Larry as the Wolf Man finds himself caught in a bear trap set by the frantic villagers. The Wolf Man bear laid helpless, until Maleva discovers him. She immediately crept down beside the monster, reciting the same poem she did for her son Bela in his casket..."The way you walk is thorny, through no fault of your own. But as the rain enters the soil, the river enters the sea, so tears run to a predestined end. Find peace for a moment, my son." The Wolf Man transforms back to Larry Talbot, who is aware of why he is caught in a trap. The sounds of yapping dogs and men could be heard trekking the woods, Maleva quickly helps Larry out of the trap. Larry makes a break only to be discovered by two of the townsmen. When asked why he was out in the woods. Larry answered the same reason you are hunting. But Larry is not carrying any weapons. Larry makes his way to the antique shop to tell Gwen that he is going away. Gwen wants to go with him, but Larry refuses because he saw the pentagram in her hand .

Larry returns to Talbot Castle to pack. But his father won't let him go. Sir John refuses to believe that his son is a werewolf. To appease his son's outlandish testimonial that he is the werewolf, Sir John strapped Larry to a chair in his bedroom. All windows have been locked, the door has been bolted for nothing can come in or out. Sir John is out to prove that the evil thing is only in his son's mind. Instead, of staying with Larry and helping fight this battle, Sir John joins the others in the woods to find the wolf. But before he went, Larry insisted that his father take his cane with silver handle with him.

Larry makes his final appearance as the werewolf dodging bullets, as he wanders through the woods. Also, in the woods wandering is Gwen looking for Larry. She should have heeded to Maleva's warning and stay with her in the wagon. Now. Gwen about finds herself to be Larry's next victim as foretold by the pentagram he saw in her hand. The Werewolf sees her. He slowly closing in on his prey. The werewolf manages to get ahead of Gwen so that she meets up to him. The werewolf jumped into plain sight for that his victim could see him. Gwen's eyes widened as he came closer, then attacked her. Gwen piercing screams could be heard throughout the woods.

Sir John was the first one to come to Gwen's rescue. Sir John could not believe his eyes that a werewolf stood before him. The werewolf releases Gwen, then he turns his sights on Sir John attacking him. Sir John protects himself with his son's cane, striking the werewolf over and over until it was dead. Maleva comes onto the scene, to recite her werewolf poem which transforms him back to Larry Talbot. Sir John could not believe his eyes, his son was telling the truth. The finale ends with Colonel Montford stating that Larry was a hero, who was killed by the wolf saving Gwen's life.

                                      FILM FACTS

Bela Lugosi was the original choice to play The Wolf Man, but at the age of 58 Lugosi was regarded to old for the role, when the film went into production. Universal decided to use a much younger actor  Lon Chaney Jr, who was only 33 years old at the time. As a consolation prize, Lugosi was able to play the werewolf who turned Chaney Jr. into The Wolf Man.

Maria Ouspenskaya would reprise her role as Maleva, two years later in FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943).

Claude Rains made three Universal Monster movies through his very impressive acting career which include THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933), THE WOLF MAN (1941), and THE PHANTOM OF THE  OPERA (1943).

According to Actress Evelyn Ankers. she was constantly being PRANKED on by Lon Chaney Jr while making THE WOLF MAN. Chaney Jr apparently resented Ankers for taking his dressing room, when the studio gave it to her after Chaney Jr . had vandalized studio property while drunk. Ankers added that he would call her SHANKERS too irritate her, sneak up behind her in full monster makeup and scare her. It was just a countless array of childish pranks one after another through the production.

Evelyn Ankers was Universal's scream queen with several horror movies in her filmography which includes  THE WOLF MAN (1941), THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942), CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN (1943), SON OF DRACULA (1943), THE MAD GHOUL (1943), JUNGLE WOMAN (1944), WIERD WOMAN (1944), THE INVISIBLE MAN'S REVENGE (1944) and THE FROZEN GHOST (1945).

Lon Chaney Jr. was  honored in one of U.S. Postage series in 1997.

                    IMMORTAL DIALOGUE

"Even a Man who is PURE at heart, and says his prayers by night; may become a WOLF when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright."

" The way you walk is thorny, through no fault of your own. But as the rain enters the soil, the river enters the sea, so tears run to the predestined end."

                      FABRICATED DIALOGUE

"Hey Mack, do ya think after you're done fooling around with my fur. Can you give me a manicure ?"

     "I told you that I get a little CRAZY during the FULL MOON."

          " Didn't I tell you there's was going to be a SEQUEL"

" I guess I should WARN you what happened to my last BARBER who gave me a BAD haircut."

MY BOTTOM LINE IS ...

THE WOLF MAN (1941) is not only an iconic Universal Monster but well-regarded horror film from heydays of Universal Studios. The picture succeeds as first-rate storytelling with superior acting. Claude Rains gives another tour de force performance, this time, not the lead as he was in THE INVISIBLE MAN (1931) but in a co-starring role as Sir John. Rains would go on ironically to play his co-star Chaney's Jr 's famous father's role PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Lon Chaney Jr was not the first werewolf to appear on the silver screen, But its Chaney Jr's performance, which leads to the role to become iconic. I do highly recommend this film to those who enjoy classic horror films and are fans of the Universal Monsters. Today's generation may find it tame compared to today's standards. The special effects are dated and the body count in the film may be low for some horror fans. But for my generation who grew who watching UHF channels on television, this film is a classic masterpiece.

                                 Artwork By Alex Ross