When most folks think of Universal horror, certain images spring to mind.
He also said Jack Pierces famous Wolf Man makeup design was tested on Chaney in color.
Audiences would instantly know this is Lawrence Talbot, Lon Chaney Jr.s doomed antihero on his good days.
Unfortunately, this evening is not one of those good days.
In fact, when hes unearthed the full moon is kissing his forehead.
The experiment is of course a success.
[The doctor] does not see the patients eyes slowly open, wrote Schubert.
At first their expression is vague, uncomprehending.
It is all very theatrical and part and parcel for Chaney.
She even wrapped her arms around him in her final breaths.
While it is brewing, old Larry simply asks when the next full moon is.
I believe its full tonight, the intern responds while craning his head toward the window.
You cant see it at the moment its behind a cloud.
It doesnt end well for the white coat.
Curt Siodmak wrote most of his films and the Wolfman character was his baby.
As withMeets Frankenstein,vs.
Draculawould be about Larrys desire to find a new way to kill himself.
And this time, that quest would bring him to the far flung reaches of Transylvania.
But she is so glum about being forced by papa to marry the suitor that shes contemplating running away.
You dont really want to leave your father do you?
She shakes her head.
If there was only some way to get rid of our friend [the other suitor], youd…
He trails off until she asks what hes thinking about.
Oh, one idea just occurred to me… What sort of idea?
Oh, just a wild one too crazy even to talk about.
In the next scene, Larry and Yvonne return from town to announce theyve gotten married.
Better still, he bought her a nice dress and some makeup, and it turns out shesgorgeous!
But as Larry reveals to Anatole, thats the point.
It begins poorly with Dracula introduced in silhouette as he haggles essentially over a price from her father Anatole.
Properly groomed, Yvonne would be a credit to any class.
At least the script later confirms that on this subject the Count remains a man of good… taste.
What happened to the Transylvanian brides he left unharmed in the 1931 movie is also a mystery.
For better or worse, though, this seems unlikely.
That film even had a werewolf, Universals marquee monster in the WWII years.
Its a role Carradine played more times onscreen than Lugosi, but never a tenth as well.
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Or perhaps they were mistaken.
Admittedly, some lines in the screenplay seem written in a way favoring Lugosis long and distinctcadence.
They fare ultimately better as the film goes on too.
Dracula gets him to agree to give him Yvonnes crucifix as a fee for his services.
Alas, by this time it is too late for Larry to find any help.
(Before turning, Larry even saw the pentagram in Yvonnes palm!)
At last a true believer, Anatole sees the beast transform back into the man.
You mustnt [cry] Yvonne, Larry tells his wife.
Your father only did what I asked him to do.
Turning to dad, he adds, Thanks friend.
Now I can rest in .
His eyes, plus the credits, close in before he can finish the last sentence.
Conversely, theHouseswere always disjointed vignettes and set-pieces thrown together.
Still, in some ways it might be best that we gotHouse of Draculainstead ofThe Wolf Man vs. Dracula.
Furthermore,House of Draculais the only Wolf Man movie wherein poor Larry gets a happy ending.
Chaneys still earnest and pitiful as the re-cursed Wolf Man, and Bela Lugosi isfinallyback in the cape.
