Director: Stuart Walker
Stars: Henry Hull, Valerie Hobson, Lester Matthews, Warner Oland
Famous botanist Wilfred Glendon (Henry Hull) is in the mountains of Tibet, searching for the legendary Mariphasa plant. One dark night, he manages to find it, but is immediately attack by a howling, humanoid beast, which leaves him a nasty bite mark. Back at his home in London, Wilfred is approached by Dr. Yogami (Warner Oland), another botanist, who informs him that he was the werewolf who bit him, and that mariphasa is the only know antidote for the disease. But will it be enough to keep Wilfred from killing his true love, Lisa (Valerie Hobson), once the moon is full?
Six years before the world was introduced to The Wolf Man, master make-up artist Jack Pierce created a different type of werewolf. Less bestial in appearance, and also in nature. Before his first killing spree, Wolf Wilfred takes the time to put on a hat and scarf before heading out! He's more like a serial killer than a raging monster, which, along with Wilfred's mad scientist-like demeanor, gives this more of a Jekyll and Hyde feel than your standard werewolf tale.
And that's where a lot of the problem lies; there's too much going on here. For being the first major werewolf film, the plot is just unnecessarily convoluted, and also nonsensical. Yogami warns Glendon about the nature of the Mariphasa, even though he's planning on stealing it the whole time. Isn't that a bit counterproductive? Why make Wilfred a scientist, when his scientific discoveries have nothing to do with his transformation?
It's a good looking film, but the stark images aren't used in a suspenseful way. A woman walking the street alone saunters by the werewolf, standing in plain sight, who (GASP!) reveals himself by removing his scarf, and then sllloooowwwwllllyyyy chases her to her doom. It's too bad, because the make-up is actually quite effective and freaky looking, but quite goofy when you hear the monster begin to talk (Yep. This werewolf is a jabberjaw towards the end).
Significant as a historical work, slightly (unintentionally) hilarious at times, and mercifully short. A must see for horror aficionados (like myself), but let's not view this through rose-tinted glasses. It's kind of a mess.
FREDERICK OPINES: MIDDLING
Werewolf of London / She-Wolf of London (Universal Studios Wolf Man Double Feature)
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