I've always loved wolves, darlings! Not the ones I dated, but the real ones; who are so cute, and regal looking. Which is why one of my favorite breeds has always been Siberian Huskies, who are so gorgeous and wolf like, but are really quite sweet and affectionate. Just like my big Boxer friend, Cujo!!!!!!!!!!!
"Cry Of The Werewolf" was one of the iconic films of my childhood, which I would watch on TV!!!!!!! Let's start with Nina Foch--in her second movie; her debut was in another Columbia horror effort, "The Return Of The Vampire, with Bela Lugosi, and the unforgettable Frieda Inescourt, who just about steals the show--as Gypsy Princess, Celeste, daughter of New Orleans werewolf Marie La Tour, and Blanche Yurka--remember her as Aunt Bernarde in "The Song Of Bernadette?????????"--as Bianca, her sort of adoptive mother. Today, that would probably be Beyonce!!!!!!!!
I thought this film had been lost forever, and I always wanted to see it again! Well, girls, seek and ye shall find! It is on You Tube--all 62 minutes and 57 seconds of it! Which is its full length!!!!!!!!! And seeing it again is a revelation!
First, bits and pieces, easily recognizable, from Columbia's score from "The Return Of The Vampire," are used throughout! Maybe the entire score, though it was impossible to fully judge! But I did recognize certain sections!
Second, I had forgotten the film was set in New Orleans! But if you are looking for the New Orleans of "American Horror Story," forget it! This is Columbia back lot New Orleans, and this city is not so crescent looking. At times, it feel like outtakes from "Father Knows Best!"
Then, there is the opening, with John Abbott, as museum guard, Peter Althius. You can tell this one was turned out quickly and cheaply, because the writers did not do a bit of research, so when Peter starts his tour lecture, talking about "werewolfism," instead of "lycanthropy," and "voodooism," instead of, simply, "voodoo," I knew the writers really didn't know what they were doing.
Nina Foch and Blanche Yurka knew, but they are not given, really, strong enough scenes, to show their gifts. Blanche has the capacity to steal the show, but only is allowed to deliver assuring bromides, suggesting she only took the job because Maria Ouspenskaya, whom they probably wanted, in the first place, turned this down, saying, "Oh no! Not another gypsy woman role!" Can't blame Maria! But Blanche deserved better!
Nina looks great, but all she is called upon to do is look menacing and speak in softly, ominous tones. The real stars of "Cry Of The Werewolf" are the costumer, cinematographer, and editor. Like "The Return Of the Vampire," this is an extremely visual film; I think Columbia was trying to replicate here the horror films of Val Lewton, because very little of the wolf is seen! Shadow, sounds, screams--all suggestive, and in some ways more terrifying than if made today, where you would see the wolf tear out the victim's throat as he or she scream their death agonies. So, this part of the film is brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But, in the ends, darlings, the cute wolf steals the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have the time, darlings, see for yourselves! Here is the ENTIRE movie!!!!!!!!!!!
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