Werewolf of London (1935)

75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(1,652 ratings)

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… More 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

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: Stuart Walker
Genres: Drama, Horror, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: May 13, 1935 Wide
On DVD: Mar 29, 2005
Studio: Passport

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
An abstracted-husband fable to go with the anxious-bachelor comedy of Mamoulian's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
...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.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
This double-feature disc sports two reasonably good prints preserved with reasonably good transfers. They look and sound fine.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
The combination of uninspiring leads and a somewhat half-hearted script makes it tough going, even at a trim 75 minutes.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Intriguing, if slightly stodgy, early werewolf shocker
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
For my money, Werewolf of London remains the best werewolf picture of all time.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A horror film that would have been better with someone else in the lead. Still, it's a classic.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lee ?

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… More
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.
Bruce B

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
AJ V

Sometimes entertaining, but sometimes unbelievable and silly. I had a hard time rating this movie. Overall it's okay.
Randy T

Though worthy of it's status as a bona fide horror classic, <i>Werewolf of London</i> is far too genteel to be overtly frightening. Stuart Walker is no James Whale, Henry Hull is no Boris Karloff and Warner Oland is no Bela Lugosi. Still, it's a landmark film… More
Though worthy of it's status as a bona fide horror classic, <i>Werewolf of London</i> is far too genteel to be overtly frightening. Stuart Walker is no James Whale, Henry Hull is no Boris Karloff and Warner Oland is no Bela Lugosi. Still, it's a landmark film that, for it's time, revolutionized special effects and elevated the werewolf to screen infamy.
E.J. B

(Review coming soon)
Byron B

This one predates the Lon Chaney Jr. version. According to the Monster by Moonlight! documentary provided on Universal's The Wolf Man Legacy Collection this script started heavily based on Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde with some of The Invisible Man mixed in to it. I can see these… More
This one predates the Lon Chaney Jr. version. According to the Monster by Moonlight! documentary provided on Universal's The Wolf Man Legacy Collection this script started heavily based on Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde with some of The Invisible Man mixed in to it. I can see these elements clearly. I am discovering that since the werewolf legend is not based on any single novel like the other classic Universal monsters there is no fixed mythology, though a couple ideas would be carried over from this story to Siodmak's creation. Warner Oland, most famous for playing Charlie Chan in a long string of mysteries, plays a doctor and werewolf who bites botanist Dr. Glendon (Henry Hull) early in the movie. Dr. Glendon, the botanist, somehow manages to take a specimen of a rare plant home to his laboratory in England. And Warner Oland, as Dr. Yogami, survives to follow him in hot pursuit. The two doctors have a one on one chat about the curse of werewolf-ism. Turns out the nectar of this plant is a temporary cure to prevent a man from turning into a murdering satanic beast. Too bad it is rare, the blossoms are stubborn about blooming, and there is definitely not enough to go around for two werewolves in the same part of town. Dr. Glendon's first transformation is pretty darn amazing for the year it was made especially since it is done while he is moving "outdoors." And Rick Baker's comment on the documentary about this being known as the Elvis werewolf is funny. In the meantime, Dr. Glendon's wife is reconnecting with an old childhood beau. Combine this with the doctor's long work hours and irritability over trying to manage this curse and it looks like marriage problems are on the way. The special properties of silver are never mentioned, an ordinary bullet seems to do the job. It is a big surprise that this werewolf speaks, at least as he is breathing his last. There are many plot holes and the studio executives had to keep the horror from being too graphic so overall it is still fairly weak.
Dimitris S

The Wolf Man / Chaney connection embraces the romanticism of the folkloric legends (hence why the remake was made) but it remains an undisputed fact that Werewolf of London possesses a staggering chill throughout its menacing aura, for the most accolades should go to Henry Lull's… More
The Wolf Man / Chaney connection embraces the romanticism of the folkloric legends (hence why the remake was made) but it remains an undisputed fact that Werewolf of London possesses a staggering chill throughout its menacing aura, for the most accolades should go to Henry Lull's exceptional intensity as the titular scientist who transforms himself into a creature of the night. And yet, moronic children prefer teen slashers for their entertainment, oh brother....
Anthony V

Good werewolf drama.