House of the Wolf Man

The film opens with a thunderstorm as five people arrive at a spooky castle, all wondering if they are to inherit it. They are 'greeted' by Dr Bela Reinhart played with slow scornful menace by Ron Chaney of the monster-playing Chaney family. The guests are warned they will have to endure a thorough examination of their character in order for them to inherit. There is a long steady advance into the mystery as the guests try to fathom whether they truly do have a connection to the Reinhart family. The first hour is more like the 1930s mystery movie classics of 'The Old Dark House' and 'The Cat and the Canary' about family ties and inheritance. After the hour the old Universal monsters take charge starting with Ron Chaney's transformation into Wolfman. Michael R. Thomas, as Dracula, is particularly impressive in his last screen appearance. There is a creepy atmosphere throughout with some ghoulish characters in make-up. The two outstanding are Barlow the monstrous manservant, and the bedridden Vadoma reminding me of the ancient Femm character from 'The Old Dark House.' Fans of 'The Addams Family' and 'The Munsters' and possibly Scooby Doo may go for this although 'House of the Wolfman' is definitely not a spoof of old horror films. There is so much respect for old horror and mystery classics in this which faithfully observes the details of those old movies.