Change Your Image
KeoghStawski-1
Reviews
The Wolf Man (1941)
The Wolfman
I have always admired this film. It is carefully constructed and builds to an inevitable,yet moving climax. The musical score is superb. This is a film of marvelous, telling little touches and nuances in both the actors delivery of their lines and their facial reactions. This is also a fine example of ensemble acting, as each actor takes his or her lead in a scene and then ably underplays or plays to the other actor in another scene. Chaney is sensitive, moving and truly memorable in this role. What a fine supporting cast put together for this film. I love the way the movie opens with the opening of an old book in a study and we are led right into the story. I have always felt that this film is one of Hollywoods' finest attempts to put a pure fairy tale onto film. Fine job. Check out the scene in the church where Chaney stands alone in the back, and the camera moves up pew by pew until it rests on Rains and the vacant spot next to him. Nicely done.
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Creature From The Black Lagoon.
The underwater photography is excellent and the musical score is quite good. But I love the Creature. Here's a thought. You can laugh at all the old monster films and movie monsters from the old days. But no one ever laughs at the Creature, do they? He has never once been called corny or cheesy or hackneyed, has he? Nor will he ever. He is a superb design, imaginatively conceived and executed, that has withstood the ravages of time and the sneers and snide remarks of younger viewers and subsequent generations of viewers. What a fine, winning conception he truly is- an image for the ages in the realm of the fantastic and the unreal. I love the Gillman. Alongside the Wolfman, he is my all time favorite Universal monster. Period! As one critic so aptly said: " He is a finny delight." Yes, and he always will be!