Coverage of the Universal horror classic The Wolf Man (1941) including the emergence of its star Lon Chaney Jr. This article also covers the second wave of Universal horror releases and the timing of this particular release, five days after the attack upon Pearl Harbor. Previously published in Classic Movie Monthly #2.
Terror Aboard (1933) – Grand Hotel of Murder on the High Seas
One passenger drops after another in Terror Aboard (1933), Paramount’s pre-Code preview of the far-off slasher genre. An all-star cast of B-players is led by John Halliday in this tale of multiple murders at sea.
Dracula, Frankenstein 1938 Reissues Revive Universal Horror
How Universal horror died in 1936, only to return after a Beverly Hills exhibitor paired Dracula and Frankenstein reissues at his theater in August 1938.
Man Made Monster (1941) Introduces Lon Chaney Jr to Universal Horror
Universal casts Lon Chaney Jr in his first horror role, the exciting 59-minute thriller Man Made Monster starring Lionel Atwill as the man, and Chaney Jr as the monster. Includes a look at Chaney Jr’s career to date, and Atwill’s career thereafter.
The Cat Creeps (1930) – Universal’s (Mostly) Lost Dark House
A look at lost Universal horror film The Cat Creeps (1930) starring Helen Twelvetrees. Contemporary reaction. Piecing the lost film together from Boo! and various versions of The Cat and the Canary.
Lightning Review: Dr. Cyclops (1940) Starring Albert Dekker
Brief look at Dr. Cyclops (1940) a sci-fi/horror blend from Paramount. Plays like ’50s science fiction, but a little slow in doing so. Albert Dekker stars.
King Kong (1933) in New York, March 1933
A look at the very specific time and place of King Kong’s March 2, 1933 premiere at Radio City Music Hall and the Roxy in New York City.
The Cat and the Canary (1927) – Old Dark House Classic Starring Laura La Plante
Settling in for silent old dark house classic The Cat and the Canary (1927) starring Laura La Plante. Same story as the 1939 movie with Bob Hope, though the earlier movie is more thriller than comedy.
Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932), Universal Horror With Bela Lugosi
Universal’s 1932 horror adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s Murders in the Rue Morgue made quite a few changes, the best of which was inclusion of Dr. Mirakle, the villain played by Bela Lugosi. Lugosi covered extensively, plus comparisons of the story to the film, and an overall positive appraisal of the movie as it was made. Except for the ape.
The Mad Doctor of Market Street (1942), Universal Horror With Lionel Atwill
An early B movie from director Joseph H. Lewis, The Mad Doctor of Market Street (1942) is a minor Universal horror entry highlighted by horror icon Lionel Atwill’s performance.
