This week, over at Wandering Through the Shelves, It is Werewolves. There is a theme each week where you pick three films that work with the topic. Every time I hear the word Werewolf...I think of Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein saying to Gene Wilder..."There Wolf...There Castle". Cracks me up and makes me giggle every time. This can lead to weird moments when people just look at me as if I just stepped off the weird truck but, then again, I have. Here are my picks:
1. THE WOLF MAN-1941
This is the granddaddy of them all...in my book. I think this started the happy go lucky life of the werewolf even though this was not the first film depicting the werewolf. This poor man didn't ask for this curse but as the great gypsy, played by the wonderfully weathered, Maria Ouspenskaya, told him, he's in for it now. Lon Chaney picks up where his famous dad left off and had a less than stellar career than his dad but he should be known, in his own right, as a famous monster. I love it that Claude Rains is in this film because anything he did just made a film that much better. I should also mention Jack Pierce, the great make up artist, created this look which is iconic.
2. I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF-1957
I love this movie especially since it stars "Little Outhouse on the Prairie", Michael Landon. This is before Michael Landon gained huge fame as Little Joe in Bonanza (I love Bonanza). I had to choose this campy poster because it looks like they just had a great time kissing-her lipstick looks smeared and it looks like he has some on him as well. Anyhoo, Landon plays a mixed up teen(wow what a shock) with an attitude and in bad need of anger management. He ends up going to a very bad psychologist who injects him with some serum to bring out the beast within. I thought all that took would be a scolding and taking away his cell phone...oops wrong era. Yes, Landon is over the top but I just love this campy film and it is fun to watch.
3. VAN HELSING-2004
It stars Hugh Jackman (hubba, Hubba). The main plot involves the evil Dracula and his 3 wives but there is a sub-plot with a werewolf. Throw in Kate Beckinsale for some men to drool over and you have a fun flick. It is nothing to overwork your brain but I find it fun to watch. I enjoyed the special effects and the masquerade ball was really quite good. I think my favourite character was the sidekick monk/friar played by David Wenham. Leave your brain at the door and enjoy the fun, besides did I mention it stars the luscious Hugh Jackman? Did I? Yummy.
Which Werewolf movie do you love to watch or scared you? As you can see, I did not pick some really scary ones because I haven't seen them...too scary.
Any werewolf film is too scary for me!
ReplyDeleteAnabel's Travel Blog
I know..I almost went with the Abbott & Costello film
Deletehi Birgit.....could I watch a scary film...Hugh Jackman.....mmmmm maybe....I have to watch scary stuff in the afternoons or I don't sleep...have been a bit poorly so watching to in bed......xxxx
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are not feeling well. Yes anything with Hugh is good
DeleteEvery time I think of Van Helsing, I think of that stupid boom mic being in a shot and how I'm floored nobody saw that in the editing process. lol
ReplyDeleteYou know what's sad-I don't know where the boom mike is-Hahaaaaa but then again, my hubby says he could be jumping up and down in front of me and I wouldn't notice. Which scene do they make that huge boo-boo? It isn't good but it is fun
DeleteYou certainly had a lot to chose from with werewolves. (And yes, that Marty Feldman line is hilarious.)
ReplyDeleteMy pick would be the Underworld series.
I have yet to see any of those films because I scare so easily
DeleteNo love for Teen Wolf of Teen Wolf 2 lmao
ReplyDeleteCan't go wrong watching Kate Beckinsale. Van Helsing is the only one I've seen of those three. Really have to set your brain to off or just stare and drool lol
Nope I have avoided those 2 flicks with Michael J Fox. You can drool over Kate and I will drool over Hugh:)
DeleteGreat choice of the original Wolf Man. It would have been a pity if it didn't make a list since it was the start of the whole thing and I agree wholeheartedly that Claude Rains makes anything better. It may seem rather prosaic now but it's still a good film.
ReplyDeleteI Was a Teenage Werewolf is a hoot and a half! At least Michael Landon never derided it when he became famous always referring to it as the movie that at least gave him his first lead.
I hated Van Helsing despite the presence of Hugh Jackman. I was shocked at just how bad it was when I saw it in the theatre. At first I thought it was me since I'm not much for this type of film but the buddy I saw it with, a much bigger horror fan than I, hated it too.
I didn't plan it this way but all mine are from a single decade, one that was rife with horror films owing to the success of my first pick.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)-Inventive, fun/sad twist on the old werewolf legend. A couple of young Americans are backpacking through the English countryside when they are attacked by a wolf and one of them is killed…or so it seems. The surviving young man comes out of a coma in a London hospital unsure of what’s happened. Suddenly his now dead and quite mutilated friend appears to inform him that they were attacked by a werewolf and unless he kills himself by the next full moon he will become one too. Then there’s also the problem that his friend and any other victims can’t rest until he dead. He doesn’t believe him but then the full moon rises. Scares, and a fair amount of nudity, leavened with humor and Oscar winning makeup.
Ladyhawke (1985)-A young thief played by Matthew Broderick escapes from a dungeon in medieval France. While on the run he befriends Captain Navarre, also a fugitive and discovers that he and his beloved the Lady Isabeau, Michelle Pfeiffer, are cursed by the evil Bishop who pursues them. During the day she becomes a hawk and he transforms into a werewolf at night so they only catch a glimpse of each other at dusk. Navarre recruits the young man to help him try and free them both from the curse.
The Company of Wolves (1984)-Director Neil Jordan adds elements of mystery, dream imagery, werewolves and a slight sexual twist to this adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood that has Angela Lansbury as Grandmother.
Honorable Mention-Silver Bullet (1985)-When a small town is plagued by horrible killings and mutilations the townfolk begin to think it may be a monster doing the killings. A small handicapped boy comes in contact with the werewolf and with his older sister and uncle set out on a search for the monster. What they discover will be shocking. Good, tense compact chiller with a standout performance by Gary Busey as the uncle.
Oh yes Van Helsing is my guilty pleasure because it is so silly. If I am sick I can watch it and not feel I miss much. I had to mention the original because without that film the rest wouldn't be here. You're right about Michael Landon-he had a great humour about it and was glad it gave him his break. I LOVE Ladyhawke! I feel almost bad I didn't pick it!! I fell for Rutger Hauer when i saw this film. I think it's a hidden gem. I remember with American Werewolf was coming out in the theatres and just the trailers scared the crap out of me...one day I will find the nerve to see it. I heard The Company of Wolves is quite good and quite suggestive-again fear has prevented me from seeing. I have never heard of Silver Bullet and it sounds quite good actually. So These have to go on my list.
DeleteOf the three you haven't seen American Werewolf is by far the best. It has an excellent cast of British actors, except for David Naughton in the lead, a sweetness and humor to the story points that aren't horror but the violence is at times graphic and realistic thanks to Rick Baker's Oscar winning special effects. It also has a nice feel for its London locations and beautiful shots of the countryside.
DeleteI'll have to put this on my lengthy list for sure
DeleteMy gosh; I don't think I have seen a werewolf movie. I must lead a very sheltered (and boring) life :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Hahahaaa-I have seen only a few and the few I didn't find scary:)
DeleteI agree with Alex about Underworld (they aren't that scary, btw). If you can watch Van Helsing, you can watch Underworld.
ReplyDeleteI'm also throwing a vote for Michael Jackson's Thriller. I know it's a music video, but it's the LONGEST video ever AND it's got a plot. It's a mini-movie.
I will have to see Underworld now. Yes Thriller is a lengthy video/movie for sure. I just felt bad for Vincent Price who was screwed by Michael Jackson and his voice really adds to the mini film
DeleteHi, BB! Horror is my favorite genre. I was raised on a steady diet of scary flicks, TV shows and and comic books. Lon Chaney Jr. is one of my favorite actors of the genre. I saw The Wolf Man several times in my youth. Ironically, the scene that stands out in my mind does not involve scary monster make-up and violence. It is the quiet yet gripping scene in which the old gypsy woman played by Maria Ouspenskaya breaks the news to Larry Talbot that he was cursed by the bite of the werewolf and will transform into a bloodthirsty beast with each full moon.
ReplyDeleteI saw I Was a Teenage Werewolf several times and recently mentioned the movie in a post saluting Michael Landon's lovely co-star Yvonne Lime on her 80th birthday.
http://shadydell.blogspot.com/search?q=yvonne+lime
Character actor Whit Bissell is also a favorite of mine and showed up in many other horror flicks including I Was a Teenage Frankenstein.
Thanks, dear Birgit!
I agree with you about that scene with Maria because that stuck with me also. Good ole Whit Bissell was in quite a few. I will check out your post on Yvonne.
DeleteI remember seeing that old werewolf movie as a kid and it terrified me.
ReplyDeleteI found it scary and well done
DeleteMy mind is now blank for a title. Anthony Hopkins and Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt? The Wolfman?
ReplyDeleteDarn Scary.
Yup..I believe that is what it's called and I have seen it. The worst part is when Del Toro's character is tied up and he is warning all the men to let him free..they don't listen.
DeleteMy favorite is the werewolf in Abbot & Costello Meets Frankenstein. That's the only one I've ever seen all the way through, because, as you know I'm bwak, bwak, bwak. I did see Young Frankenstein, but I can't remember the werewolf. Since you say Van Helsing is not scary, I shall have to see it. I like the hubba hubba guy, too.
ReplyDeleteI almost picked Abbot & Costello because I thought it was funny and the same actor, Lon Chaney Jnr, plays the wolf man. There is no werewolf in Young Frankenstein. Gene Wilder hears a wolf and asks something and then Marty Feldman says that line. Afterwards Wilder's character asks why does he speak like that. It's a funny scene amongst many funny scenes.
DeleteAh ha! It's time to see that movie again. I Loved Putting on the Ritz.
DeleteI love The Wolf Man! Van Helsing, not so much. By the way, if you can sit through that then Underworld should be a breeze. It plays like The Matrix, but with vampires and werewolves. I've never seen the Landon flick (lol at The Little Outhouse on the Prairie), but I've come across it in a few cheapo DVD bins. Kinda wish I had bought it, now.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I recommend seeing Teen Wolf. Picked it myself. Stay far far away from Teen Wolf Too. It's THAT bad. FYI, the sequel stars Jason Bateman, not Michael J. Fox.
Others have said that about Underworld so I shall give it a shot.
DeleteAgain I see The Wolfman but the older version. I wonder if it got a remake. Anyway, Van Helsing is a surprising pick. I thought nobody will pick it, but it has the chance anyway.
ReplyDeleteleave it to me to pick my guilty pleasure:) I enjoy that flick
DeleteNot my scene at all I'm afraid. Never watch that type of movie.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think so:) I thought you might have seen the original film but that's it
DeleteI've never been too big on werewolves. But lately I've been reading a lot of werewolf books. Which I mostly picked up by accident.
ReplyDeletePoor werewolf seems to get little respect:) You're not the onlt one which is why there are fewer films about them
DeleteLon Chaney Jr's portrayal of Larry Talbot is one of my all-time favorite movie roles. For one thing I think the name Larry Talbot is so cool. Weird, huh.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Not weird at all-It has a ring to it:)
DeleteNow this is a list that's close to my heart! The older one's are slightly campy now, but made my heart race many many moons ago!
ReplyDeletehugs, Asha
I tried watching Van Helsing, but either Kate Beckinsale or Hugh Jackman's character has a (was it?) Russian accent that was a little too fake for me. Plus I didn't like the special effects, so yeah, just could not see it till the end.
ReplyDelete