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FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943)

The first Universal team-up movie (is it? I was guessing -Mr.Research) allows Lon Chaney Jr's wooden Wolf Man chance to meet Bela Lugosi's frankly rubbish monster.

It's impossible to image such a format being passed forward today. Not only would copyright laws from major studios have to be negotiated, but it would take years to get the project completed. The fact that this could be screened within two years of the original Wolf Man (**) is a testament to Universal's in-house cast of characters, but also a damnation of their conveyor-belt approach to filmmaking.

Yet despite the blatant money-making nature of its origins, Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man is a lot better than you might expect. I suppose it comes down to who was bringing what to the party. Frankenstein's Monster had passed his peak (this being his fifth movie), while the Wolf Man was a hot new property. From the Wolf Man's point of view this is a step up from his debut feature, with more plot and improved direction.

The plot itself is a bit of a contrived mess, even throwing in a song and dance number. Taken entirely from Chaney's perspective, it allows him to walk through the regurjitated remains of the Frankenstein mythos, often recreating its imagery. His rather morbid motivation is to uncover Dr. Frankenstein's work in order to enable him to die.

Ultimately the film has nothing to say, so its "monsters have a brief fight then get blown up" resolution falls short. Lugosi's mute parody has such a perfunctory role in the proceedings it's like he's in a different picture.

Enjoyable fluff to be sure, but completely lacking in anything approaching artistry.

**^1/2 really, but I don't do half stars like a girl. Nearly average, but not quite.

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• Don't worry Rich, you don't have to reply to my Rambo III review or that post about my holiday movies, I just did them for my health. You bastard! I'd give both the Blob films **1/2 - the original's kind of fun, although Steve McQueen looks about 40. Really convincing teenagers, all right! I agree with you about Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man - it's crap. I'll go and do a review in a minute. Interesting review from you there - "allows Lon Chaney Jr's wooden Wolf Man chance to meet Bela Lugosi's frankly rubbish monster" and "It's impossible to image such a format being passed forward today" are my favourite bits. English is your first language, isn't it, you illiterate baboon? Now reply to my posts before I have a mardy! (NT) -- Griff, 06:56:30 06/19/01 Tue