Werewolf of London (1935)
NETFLIX SYNOPSIS: Botanist Wilfred Glendon (Henry Hull) is in Tibet searching for a rare flower that only blooms by moonlight when he’s attacked by a strange howling creature. After surviving the attack, Glendon travels back to London. But when the city is besieged by a series of werewolf attacks, Glendon learns the awful truth: He’s the werewolf! The only thing that can cure his affliction is the rare Tibetan flower in this horror classic from Stuart Walker.
REVIEW: This is actually the first mainstream werewolf movie, preceding the classic The Wolf-Man by 6 years. The plot is somewhat similar to the Universal Mummy movies, with a scientist who becomes afflicted with the “curse” abroad and returns home to share it with family and friends. There are plenty of Freudian interpretations that may be applied to the relationship between Glendon — before and after his metamorphosis — and his gal, if that’s your bag, especially once her old beau comes poking around. The makeup and special effects are quite good for the day, but the plot drags almost unforgivably, especially considering the short length of the feature.
3 stars
HAWK
