In his own way, Bela Lugosi is responsible for the creation of not one - but two - Universal monster movie icons. Though associated with a long list of classic horror movies, Lugosi’s name will always be tied to Count Dracula. In 1931’s big-screen adaptation of Bram Stoker’sDraculanovel, Lugosi became the first of several actors to play Dracula in an official capacity, and in doing so, helped form the image associated with the character today. That makes Dracula a defining part of Lugosi’s legacy, but because ofThe Wolf Man, there’s actually two major Universal monsters whose origins he had a hand in, albeit in a different manner from Dracula.
Primarily, the actor credited with the Wolf Man’s reputation as one of the four pillars ofUniversal’s monster movie libraryis Lon Chaney, Jr. In addition to other monsters,Chaney. Jr. played the Wolf Man five different timesin his storied career in Hollywood. That includes the first and most iconic werewolf movie, 1941’sThe Wolf Man. But while it’s true that Chaney Jr. was the star of the first Wolf Man movie, it’s worth noting that canonically speaking, he wasn’t the first Universal werewolf.
Bela Lugosi Played The Werewolf That Bit Larry Talbot
The Wolf Man Received The Werewolf Curse From Bela Lugosi’s Character
Interestingly, that title instead belongs to Bela Lugosi. In the 1941 movie, Larry’s journey as the Wolf Man took off when he, his love interest, and her friend met a fortune-teller named Bela (played by Bela Lugosi) at the beginning of the film. Later, one of the two women he was with was attacked by a wolf, which bit Larry when he intervened. The bite triggered Larry’s transformation, meaning that his assailant was secretly a werewolf, masquerading in the form of a simple wolf. Ultimately, it was confirmed thatthe creature that bit Larry was none other than Bela Lugosi’s character.
Without ever even appearing in werewolf form, Lugosi simultaneously served as Universal’s first interpretation of the monster and portrayed the character that was essentially the catalyst for Larry Talbot’s entire story.
By appearing as the mysterious fortune-teller inUniversal’s originalThe Wolf Manmovie,Bela Lugosi played a unique role in the monster’s origin at Universal.Without ever even appearing in werewolf form, Lugosi simultaneously served as Universal’s first interpretation of the monster and portrayed the character that was essentially the catalyst for Larry Talbot’s entire story. Due largely to Bela being a minor role for the actor and not actually wearing the famous Wolf Man costume and makeup, it’s a bit of an unsung piece of Lugosi’s legacy, but it still gives an important link to the Wolf Man nonetheless.
Bela Lugosi Also Fought The Wolf Man In A 1948 Movie
Bela Lugosi Appeared In 2 Wolf Man Movies
Lugosi gained another connection to the Wolf Man in 1948 when he appeared in theUniversal horror comedyAbbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein. Acting as a crossover movie for the comedic duo and three of the studio’s biggest monsters, the movie brought back Bela Lugosi’s take on Dracula and Lon Chaney, Jr. as the Wolf Man. The movie made horror movie history when it brieflypitted Dracula against the Wolf Manduring the finale.
Like The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, And Dracula? They Made 3 Great Movies Together
An incredible 1940s horror film boasts appearances from three great monster movie icons: Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf Man, and Dracula.
As if Dracula and the Wolf Man fighting each other wasn’t fascinating enough on its own, Lugosi’s role inThe Wolf Manadded a special flavor to it. Because Lon Chaney, Jr. was reprising his most famous role, his last fight as the Wolf Man was effectively a rematch of sorts, and one made all the more fitting by the fact that it was the actor’s last time playing Larry Talbot. In a sense, Chaney, Jr.’s time as the Wolf Man began and ended with him squaring off against a Bela Lugosi character.
The Wolf Man
Cast
The Wolf Man, released in 1941, follows Larry Talbot, who returns to his family estate after his brother’s death. Upon his arrival, Larry becomes entangled in ominous events after being bitten by a werewolf, setting the stage for exploring themes of identity and fate.
