Day 21: The Wolf Man [Horror Film Review]

"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."

If there was ever a movie that just oozed Halloween season atmosphere, it's the Wolf Man.  I mean, the majority of the movie takes place in a foggy forest with Lon Chaney Jr. prowling around looking for his next victim.

The Wolf Man isn't my favorite Universal Horror film, but it's still a great film to view this time of year.  And what makes the movie so great, are the brilliant effects by Jack Pierce.  He had to use Yak hair to make Lon Jr. into the Wolf Man.  If you're not used to watching the classic black and white horror films, then the transformation scene will looked dated.  But trust me, in 1941 it was a huge freaking deal.  There was no adding effects in post production, so the transformation scene had to be done on the spot.  And trust me, for 1941, it's absolutely brilliant.

There really isn't a sequel to the Wolf Man.  However, Lon appeared many times as the Wolf Man in different Frankenstein and Dracula movies.  My favorite of these is Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.  So hey, it's Halloween.  If you haven't seen The Wolf Man, give it a go.