Could a young heiress who says she has a werewolf’s blood running through her veins be responsible for a series of murders in early 20th century London? Her ex-finance investigates. She Wolf of London is a welcome detour in the series of Universal Classic Monsters series as, firstly, it’s set in England, and secondly because …

Continue reading Universal Classic Monsters Reviewed- Day 29- She Wolf of London (1946)

From IMDB- ‘Dracula arrives at Dr. Edelman's office asking for a cure to his vampirism, but this is a ruse by Dracula to get near Dr. Edelman's beautiful female assistant and turn her into a vampire. Meanwhile, a sincere Lawrence Talbot, AKA the Wolfman, arrives seeking a cure for his lycanthropy. When Dr. Edelman's first …

Continue reading Universal Classic Monsters Reviewed- Day 28- House of Dracula (1945)

This is basically The Mummy goes to Louisiana and the bayou. It acts as a sequel to The Mummy’s Ghost from the same year (how’s that for a quick sequel!) But, unfortunately, there’s little to differentiate the two films except their setting and it could be argued that not enough is made of the Louisiana …

Continue reading Universal Classic Monsters Reviewed- Day 27- The Mummy’s Curse (1944)

Dr. Gustav Niemann escapes prison and revives Dracula, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster, seeking revenge while unleashing chaos. House of Frankenstein is a thoroughly enjoyable Universal monster movie. I also love the fact that all of the heavy hitters are together in one movie. It’s value for money and actually works. It reminds me …

Continue reading Universal Classic Monsters Reviewed- Day 26- House of Frankenstein (1944)

The Mummy’s Ghost continues Universal’s Kharis series as the bandaged high priest, controlled by a modern cult, returns to claim his ancient love, Ananka, whose spirit now inhabits a young woman. It’s a solid entry in the Mummy series that whiles away a hour but is a bit too formulaic for my tastes. Lon Chaney …

Continue reading Universal Classic Monsters Reviewed- Day 25- The Mummy’s Ghost (1944)

A scientist uses an escapee from a psychiatric hospital as a guinea pig for his invisibility serum. It works and Robert Griffin goes on a revenge spree. Whilst Jon Hall was great in The Invisible Agent, his character here is so bland and frankly unlikeable especially as a lead character. But at least we also …

Continue reading Universal Classic Monsters Reviewed- Day 24- The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944)

Count Alucard (Lon Chaney Jr.) arrives in the American South after being invited by an occult-obsessed heiress, Katherine Caldwell. Their marriage unleashes a chilling vampire curse, forcing her loved ones to confront the undead threat. In this entry, Chaney becomes Dracula and is, as ever, excellent. There’s great suspense, and interesting twists on the by …

Continue reading Universal Classic Monsters Reviewed- Day 23- Son of Dracula (1943)

You should know the story by now… If this remake was a recipe, the ingredients would be- 3 parts lavish sets 3 parts opulent costumes 3 parts beautiful Technicolor 1 part horror Do you see where the problem lies? Also, Claude Rains feels miscast here. There’s not enough of him and he isn’t grotesque enough. …

Continue reading Universal Classic Monsters Reviewed- Day 22- The Phantom of the Opera (1943)