Originally intended as a vehicle for Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, this Universal production predated The Wolf Man by six years, but failed to whip up audience enthusiasm for the monster popularized by Lon Chaney, Jr. in the studio's later classic. Henry Hull stars as botanist Dr. Glendon, whose foray through Tibet in search of a rare night-blooming "marifasa lupina" ends when he is savagely attacked by man-beast Yogami (Warner Oland). Recovering back in London, Glendon begins to undergo the
hideous transformation into a wolf-like monster at the next full moon (courtesy of makeup work by Jack Pierce), and learns that only the bloom of the marifasa can reverse his condition -- a cure which is currently being sought by yet another lycanthropic predator. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
...a 1935 thriller that's one of the most well-crafted and polished suspense movies of the era. The plot blends new components of the werewolf 'legend' with some science-fictional elements.
Slow and too talkative early on and not quite as atmospheric as other early Universal horror. It does have some effective moments though and some pretty decent effects for its time including the earliest depiction of a CCTV camera that I've seen which obviously wasn't invented and put into use for a good few decades
afterwards.
July 1, 2011
Lee ?
Super Reviewer
This film is just what it is a 1935 werewolf film. What can you expect for special effects in 1935. Overall a good story line. Also has a few comical parts. Done by Universal Studios, part of a double feature by Universal Studios. 3 Stars
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