The Wolf Man: The Legacy Collection (DVD, 2004, 2-Disc Set)

The Legacy Collection is a wonderful compliation of thev following: WEREWOLF OF LONDON 1935 (6 years before Lon Chaney Jr) with Henry Hull & Warner Oland (of the CHARLIE CHAN series) which explores, not a cure of, but a 4-6 hour relief from, lycanthropy through the use of the "Marifasa Lupina" flower, which blooms only in moonlight. Next, THE WOLF MAN 1941 with Lon Chaney Jr, Claude Rains (wonderful performance) & Bela Logusi (a gypsy, responsble for the whole mess, whose character name is also "Bela," but pronounced "BAY-la." Then, FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN 1942 (which happens in the latter half of the movie) with Lon Chaney Jr & Bela Lugosi (as the Frankenstein monster--which he had refused to play in an earlier movies because he thought it would tarnish his reputation as "Dracula"). Finally, SHE-WOLF OF LONDON 1946 with June Lockhart (can you imagine dainty, effeminate June Lockhart morphing into a werewolf) & Don Porter (which you'll recognize from manny films of the 40's & 50's). There is background information provided by Stephen Sommers, Tom Weaver, David Skal & the documentary MONSTER BY MOONLIGHT. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy!!

WHEN I WAS A LAD OF TEN YEARS,I SEEN A XCELLENT MAKEUP ARTIST,JACK PIERCE APPLY HIS CRAFT TO LON CHANEY.CHANEY BECAME THE WOLFMAN IN 1941.MAN!IT WAS GREAT TO WATCH LARRY TALBOT SUCCUMB TO HIS CURSE AND SLOWLY TRANSFORM INTO A WEREWOLF.IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE WOLF MAN,KEEP IN MIND,YOU'RE TRAVELING BACK 66 YEARS INTO A CINEMATIC ERA AN ATMOSPHERE THAT WAS LEGACY AND IS. MY ALL TIME FAVORITE "WEREWOLF OF LONDON".HENRY HULL IS PERFECT SCIENTIST,BUT IGNORANT IN HIS LOVE FOR HIS WIFE.HIS OBSESSION FOR THE "MARIFASA LUPINA" A FLOWER THAT BLOOMS ONLY AT MIDNIGHT.THIS RARE FLOWER IS HIS LOVE LAST RESORT TO KEEP HIM SAVED.NOW THIS IS 1941 CINEMA AND ATMOSHERE.THIS WERE IS GOOD! CHECK OUT HIS TRANSFORMATION TO WEREWOLF.HEY,HE'S LIKE A ROCK STAR,XCELLENT! THE "SHE-WOLF OF LONDON,SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER STAYING HOME,EH!FRANKENSTIEN MEETS THE WOLFMAN WAS GOOD.BELA LUGOSI PLAYS FRANKENSTIEN'S MONSTER AND CHANEY AS THE WOLF MAN IN THIS 1942 FILM.IF YOU USED TO SNEAK TO THE TV SET TO WATCH THESE CLASSIC MONSTERS,YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND THAT'S WE'RE GETTING OLD (just kidding)seriously,I BOUGHT THIS DVD SET IT'S A KEEPER.IF YOU HAVE'NT SEEN THIS MOVIES,I ENVY YOU.THERE ARE THE OTHER CLASSIC MONSTER LEGACY AS THE MUMMY,DRACULA,CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON AND THE INVISIBLE MAN.IT DEFINATELY MAKES FOR A GOOD COLLECTION.

I purchased the 2010 Wolfman that features a download of the original film that did not run properly, so I purchased this collection on Ebay. It includes the original WOLF MAN, WEREWOLF OF LONDON, FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN, and SHEWOLF OF LONDON (not really horror, but a mystery drama). These are very good remastered transfers, and brings back fond memories of these classic films. There are enjoyable supplements (MONSTER BY MOONLIGHT). Very nice packaging as well. Well worth owning if you are a fan of these Universal films from the 1940's!

These 'Monster' Legacy Collection DVDs are terrific. The extra features could have been more extensive, with more discussion/documentary information about the extensive range of monsters based on these classic films and classic characters. However, at the time they were first distributed, these DVD sets were a cut above anything else on the market. When obtained at reasonable prices, they are still wonderful additions to a DVD/Film collection. Just make sure you don't pay retail. At this writing you should be able to pick them up for under $12.00 including shipping.

THis movie is an active time capsule of a lost generation that not many people of today's generation appreciate. Universal's monster movies have become a notable part of film history that needs to be revived for those who have not yet seen the beauty of film in its early years of birth. The Wolf Man will forever be one of my favorite horror films, not because its scary or because it didn't make me sleep, but because it made me truly appreciate history.