Universal Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Werewolf of London
Beware the Stalking Being - Half-Human - Half-Beast!
A strange animal attack turns a botanist into a bloodthirsty monster.
- Original title
- Werewolf of London
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
John Chard
Mar 5, 2020 · via TMDB
The werewolf is neither man nor wolf, but a Satanic creature with the worst qualities of both. Dr. Wilfred Glendon (Henry Hull) is in Tibet searching for the rare mariphasa plant that apparently only blooms under moonlight. Upon finding the plant his joy is obvious but it's quickly short lived as he is attacked by a half-man half-wolf type creature. He manages to fight off the creature but it does draw blood before retreating off into the mountains. Back in London, Glendon works tirelessly to get the plant to bloom under artificial light, neglecting his wife Lisa (Valerie Hobson) in the process. But that's not the only worry he has to contend with, with the arrival of the mysterious Dr. Yogami (Warner Oland) comes news of lycanthrophobia and the true value of the mariphasa plant... The names Universal Studios and Werewolves go hand in hand (or paw in paw if you like). Automatically images of a pained Lon Chaney Jr howling at the moon come quickly into the conscious, yet quite some years earlier Universal had already ventured into the realms of lycanthropy. Firstly they had offered up "The Werewolf", a silent short film in 1913 that sadly is thought to have long been lost in a fire in 1924, and then in 1935 they released "Werewolf Of London". The first mainstream werewolf picture and first to feature anthropomorphic werewolves. It can't be understated just how important "Werewolf Of London" is in the pantheon of Universal classic horror. It also helps that it also happens to be a rather fine picture in its own right. Interestingly blending the werewolf legend with science fiction elements, the script is intelligent, the scenic sets impressive and director Stuart Walker keeps it taut and suspenseful. In spite of what you may have read on some internet sites, the cast deliver the goods, particularly Henry Hull who it should be remembered is playing a vastly different type of werewolf to the one Chaney would play six years later. This is after all a wolf-man who pops on his hat and cloak and strides out into the dimly lit night. Hull also comes up trumps with the emotional aspects of Glendon. Observe the expressive acting as Glendon's cat turns against him, the hurt and then the horrific realisation of what awaits him is vividly portrayed during one heartfelt scene. Another sees Glendon proclaim "Singularly Single, madame. More single than I ever realised that it was possible for a human being to be," this is fine stuff delivered with style and emotion by the well spoken Hull. The support is very tidy from Hobson, Oland, Lester Matthews and Lawrence Grant, but they are unsurped by the comic relief that comes in the form of Ethel Griffies & Zeffie Tilbury as batty bints, Whack & Moncaster. A right couple of old dears who stick their noses in where they shouldn't and enjoy knocking each other out! I kid you not. Yet perhaps surprisingly this humour sits easily within the structure of the story. Another testament to the good work done by all involved. While rounding out the treats is the make up work from pioneer supreme, Jack P Pierce (AKA Janus Piccoulas). This is not one for the boo jump scare brigade, or even for those after a bit of old fashioned blood letting. This is tight story telling with a good production and acting to match. Twas a pleasant surprise indeed. 8/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Henry Hull
Dr. Wilfred Glendon
Warner Oland
Dr. Yogami
Valerie Hobson
Lisa Glendon
Lester Matthews
Paul Ames
Lawrence Grant
Sir Thomas Forsythe
Spring Byington
Ettie Coombes
Clark Williams
Hugh Renwick
J.M. Kerrigan
Hawkins
Charlotte Granville
Lady Forsythe
Ethel Griffies
Mrs. Whack
Zeffie Tilbury
Mrs. Moncaster
Reginald Barlow
Timothy the Falden Caretaker (uncredited)
Egon Brecher
Priest (uncredited)
Herbert Evans
Detective Evans (uncredited)
Tempe Pigott
Drunk Woman (uncredited)
Harry Stubbs
Officer Jenkins (uncredited)
Eole Galli
The Prima Donna
Wong Chung
—
Boyd Irwin
—
Albert S. D'Agostino
Art Direction
Jack Pierce
Makeup Artist
Eddie Parker
Stunt Double
Harvey Parry
Stunt Double
Phil Karlson
Assistant Director
Stuart Walker
Director
Heinz Roemheld
Music
Mountain King
You and Me and You Again
holding hands with the moon
Goosebumps: The Blob That Ate Everyone
The Return of the Forest Monster
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Devil's Exorcist
Jaws
Nosferatu
Mary Poppins
Beauty and the Beast
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
The Time Machine
Repulsion
Don't Torture a Duckling
The Four Troublesome Heads
The Man with the Rubber Head
The Dark Crystal
Angel Heart
Sumikko Gurashi: The Pop-up Book and the Secret Child
Ladyhawke
Rudy Coby: The Coolest Magician on Earth
Snow
The Most Dangerous Game
Truly Madly Deeply
The Medusa Touch
Digimon Adventure tri. Part 6: Future
The One-Man Band
The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Stir of Echoes
Freeway
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2
Thanksgiving
Wes Craven's New Nightmare
Fullmoon
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Teen Wolf
Haunted
Castle Freak
Lady in White
Burke & Hare
We Are What We Are
Evil Nanny
Mother of Dawn
The Dunes
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Beyond Re-Animator
Dream Demon
Gappa, the Triphibian Monster
Rabbit Trap
Leprechaun
Doctor Blood's Coffin
Welcome to Arrow Beach
Dying Breed
Devil Times Five
The Pool
Aliens vs Predator: Requiem
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
Animal
Murder Obsession
Harvey
The Secret Life
Moon of the Wolf
Doppelganger
Meridian
Greywood's Plot
Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2
Bride of the Werewolf
Snowbeast
Jaws: The Revenge
Historia de un ciprés
Snuff
The Motivator
Blood Magick
Andrew
My Pet Brother
Worm
The Lights: Test Run
Buzzkill
Ebenezer
Ceremony of Innocence
Caronte
House of Rot
This May Be the End
Les Femmes
What's Left Inside
Honto Ni Atta! Noroi No Video 31
Honto Ni Atta! Noroi No Video 12
RadioPesadilla
Shaitani Dracula
The Fly
Ghostland
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf
Cheat
Ginger Snaps
Barbarian
Night of the Living Dead
Bad Moon
Dog Soldiers
Shadow Master
The Taking of Deborah Logan
28 Weeks Later
The Girl with All the Gifts
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed
30 Days of Night
Hunter Hunter
The Dogs
Come Play
Nightbreed
Wer
The Boogeyman
Die Alone
Whisper
Mirrors
The Limehouse Golem
Blood and Snow
Kill List
The Midnight Meat Train
House of 1000 Corpses
Compulsion
Wrong Turn 2: Dead End
Stephanie
Wolf Man
Tourist Trap
Never Let Go
The Kindred
Crimes of the Future
Vampyres
Doctor X
Daddy's Head
Wolfen
Blood Moon
Heartless
The Town that Dreaded Sundown
Alone in the Dark
Werewolves
May 13, 1935
