my problem from the get go
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olblueeyes40 — 16 years ago(March 06, 2010 01:05 PM)
First of all, let it be said that I'm a HUGE fan of these Universal films. However, the series contains numerous flaws that it's not even funny. (Well, I guess it is). My biggest beef has always been introducing the same great actors in these films but playing different parts. Perfect example, Lionel Atwill. First he's the Inspector, then a scientist, then the mayor etc etc.
Secondly, you have half the local residents reminiscing at times about their previous run-ins with various monsters, and the other half still denying that such things even exist! Example again, in House of Frankenstein.the local police tell Karloff's character that they've had peace since the Frankenstein monster and Wolfman were killed. Same moviethe local mayor scoffs at the Dracula legend as being "gibberishsuperstitious nonsense!" What's up with that? I guess the dear mayor wasn't kept in the loop about such matters?
ButI still cherish these films! -
haristas — 16 years ago(March 06, 2010 10:50 PM)
I think the case with Lionel Atwill was HE NEEDED THE MONEY! So, he was willing to accept whatever Universal would pay him, which wasn't much, but at least Atwill had a job and Universal had something of a name in its supporting cast. The reality of Hollywood movies and its actors, even the stars, is that you're basically just looking at people making a living.
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powersroc — 15 years ago(October 25, 2010 12:10 PM)
I love this movie,& the Wolfman is my favorite of the Universal monsters.Have to say though,if Talbot was so desperate to die why make it such a complicated matter? Purchase a gun,make silver bullets,get someone to shoot him dead. End of problem.
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tbrittreid — 15 years ago(October 25, 2010 01:29 PM)
Well, that's pretty close to what happens in the next entry,
House of Frankenstein
(1944), but Larry nevertheless turns up alive and growling in
House of Dracula
(1945), and for the first time no hint of an explanation!
The GREEN HORNET Strikes Again! -
CamelCamelCamel — 15 years ago(October 28, 2010 08:44 PM)
Bit of a spoiler there, tbrittreid.
Making Lawrence Talbot an unwilling immortal made him an interesting and sympathetic character, so I'm willing to overlook the inconsistent "reality." I do think it's different from Frankenstein's Monster's unexplained longevity, though, because in none of the Frankenstein movies was it made a plot point exactly how he could be killed! As far as the movies have told us, he can't be killed. -
tbrittreid — 15 years ago(October 29, 2010 01:58 PM)
Good point about the spoiler; I should have put a warning on.
Actually, this very film states categorically that Mannering could have killed the Monster by drawing off his energies with the very equipment with which the doctor instead instilled "full power" into him.
The GREEN HORNET Strikes Again! -
rixrex — 14 years ago(July 23, 2011 10:45 PM)
How are any of these Universal immortal monsters any different from modern horror film antagonists?
Jason is killed and always comes back, same with Michael Myers, same with Freddy Kreuger, same with every other monster, demon or ogre type that needs resurrecting for a sequel.
Even the one character who is an actual mortal human, Leatherface, manages to always survive.
And as far as actors filling various roles, Universal had studio contracts for many of them, so they were stuck in wherever needed.
The saddest thing about this one film of the series is that we can never see the film as it was written, meaning the whole brain of Ygor in the monster and how Lugosi played it, conversing with Chaney and all. See, that would never happen now, it's too valuable to throw away the alternate versions with the ability to re-release and resell the movie again and again.
If you ever get to read the original storyline, it's pretty darn good.
The Eyes of the City are Mine!
Mother Pressman / Anguish (1987) -
Skye_Reynolds — 9 years ago(October 31, 2016 12:51 PM)
The Wolf Man was such a great tragedy that I almost hate to see Larry Talbot brought back. If it weren't for Lon Chaney's performance, I'd almost feel like it might have been better to go the same route as
The Invisible Man
and just make it a new werewolf each time.