The first Hollywood feature film about werewolves stars Henry Hull as Dr. Glendon, a botanist. He'd travelled to Tibet to obtain a very rare flower - which only blooms in moonlight. Fatefully, while he's there he's attacked and mauled by a mysterious beast. When he gets back to London, he receives warnings from the strange Dr. Yogami (Warner Oland), warnings about what will happen to Glendon during the full moon. And this flower is the only thing that can temporarily prevent the transformation from occurring. Poor Dr. Glendon, realizing what is happening to him and horrified by the murders he commits while in wolfish form, tries everything possible to contain himself - all to no avail.
It wouldn't be until "The Wolf Man" six years later that tropes associated with werewolves would become part of the popular culture. There's no mention of silver here, for example. While "Werewolf of London" isn't particularly iconic, there's no denying its value as a trailblazer. Now, it's not going to have enough of a horror quotient to satisfy some in the audience. The makeup effects are quite good for something done 80 years ago. Again, however, people are more familiar with the look sported by Lon Chaney Jr. than the way that Hull looks here. The film, although decently directed by Stuart Walker (whose name was referenced in "The Howling" 46 years later), just doesn't have all that much atmosphere. It begins quite well in Tibet, but really hits its stride once Oland, the actor best known for playing Charlie Chan, makes his first appearance. As it plays out, there might be too much comedy for some tastes, with a lot of time devoted to dotty old landladies Mrs. Whack and Mrs. Moncaster.
But the performances are quite capable, with Hull managing to evoke some sympathy, Oland delivering the most fun performance in the show, and Valerie Hobson being lovely and appealingly feisty as Glendons' wife, who turns to Paul Ames (Lester Matthews) for companionship as her relationship with her husband doesn't seem to be very loving.
Must viewing for any fan of the werewolf sub genre.
Seven out of 10.
It wouldn't be until "The Wolf Man" six years later that tropes associated with werewolves would become part of the popular culture. There's no mention of silver here, for example. While "Werewolf of London" isn't particularly iconic, there's no denying its value as a trailblazer. Now, it's not going to have enough of a horror quotient to satisfy some in the audience. The makeup effects are quite good for something done 80 years ago. Again, however, people are more familiar with the look sported by Lon Chaney Jr. than the way that Hull looks here. The film, although decently directed by Stuart Walker (whose name was referenced in "The Howling" 46 years later), just doesn't have all that much atmosphere. It begins quite well in Tibet, but really hits its stride once Oland, the actor best known for playing Charlie Chan, makes his first appearance. As it plays out, there might be too much comedy for some tastes, with a lot of time devoted to dotty old landladies Mrs. Whack and Mrs. Moncaster.
But the performances are quite capable, with Hull managing to evoke some sympathy, Oland delivering the most fun performance in the show, and Valerie Hobson being lovely and appealingly feisty as Glendons' wife, who turns to Paul Ames (Lester Matthews) for companionship as her relationship with her husband doesn't seem to be very loving.
Must viewing for any fan of the werewolf sub genre.
Seven out of 10.