Oct 19 2024 12 mins 2
The Wolfman: A Hairy Tale of the Original Lunar Lunatic Greetings, moon howlers and lycanthrope lovers! Gather 'round the campfire as we sink our teeth into the shaggy story of everyone's favorite lunar-powered shape-shifter – The Wolfman! So grab your silver bullets, stock up on razors, and for the love of all that's hairy, keep an eye on that full moon. We're about to embark on a howling good tale that's sure to get your tail wagging! Our story begins not with the snap of a wolf trap, but with the rustling pages of folklore and mythology. Werewolves, or lycanthropes if you're feeling fancy, have been padding through human imagination for millennia. Ancient Greek and Roman mythology gave us tales of humans transforming into wolves, often as a punishment from the gods. Apparently, the deities of old had a flair for the dramatic when it came to teaching mortals a lesson. "You've been naughty? How about we turn you into a wolf? That'll teach you to eat grandma's cookies without permission!" But it wasn't until the Middle Ages that werewolf legends really started to grow some fur. European folklore was rife with tales of shape-shifting beasts, often linked to witchcraft and devilry. It was a time when any unexplained livestock death could be blamed on your suspiciously hairy neighbor. "Oh, Pierre's sheep went missing? Must be because Jean-Luc forgot to shave this morning. To the witch trials with him!" These legends persisted through the centuries, taking root in various cultures around the world. But it wasn't until the 20th century that our lupine friend really howled his way into the spotlight of popular culture. In 1935, Universal Pictures, riding high on the success of "Dracula" and "Frankenstein," decided it was time to let the dog out. They released "Werewolf of London," starring Henry Hull as the titular shape-shifter. While not a massive hit, it laid the groundwork for what was to come. It was like the werewolf's awkward teenage years – a bit gangly, not quite fully formed, but full of potential. But the Wolfman as we know and love him today burst onto the scene in 1941 with Universal's "The Wolf Man," starring Lon Chaney Jr. This film established many of the werewolf tropes we've come to expect faster than you can say "lycanthropic lore." In the film, Larry Talbot (Chaney) returns to his ancestral home in Wales. After a run-in with a gypsy fortune-teller and a wolf attack, Larry finds himself cursed to transform into a wolf-like creature during the full moon. It's like the worst case of lunar-induced mood swings ever recorded. Chaney's Wolfman was a tragically sympathetic character. By day, he was just a regular guy trying to live his life. By night, he was a snarling, hairy beast with a penchant for midnight strolls and impromptu sheep-bothering. It was like the ultimate allegory for man's struggle with his inner beast, or possibly just a really bad case of hormonal imbalance. The film introduced several elements that would become staples of werewolf lore: The Full Moon Trigger: Because apparently, lunar cycles are the ultimate mood lighting for monstrous transformations. The Silver Bullet: The only thing that can kill a werewolf. It's like lead allergies weren't enough of a hassle. The Wolfsbane: A plant that can supposedly ward off werewolves. It's never quite clear if it actually works or if werewolves just have a strong aversion to gardening. The Gypsy Curse: Because in old Hollywood, every supernatural problem could be traced back to a disgruntled fortune-teller. The Transformation Sequence: A painstaking process of sprouting hair, growing fangs, and generally looking like you're having the world's worst allergic reaction. Chaney's Wolfman was an instant hit, spawning several sequels and cementing the character's place in the pantheon of Universal Monsters. He appeared alongside other horror heavyweights in films like "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" (1943) and "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948). It was like the Avengers of its day, if the Avengers were all tragic monsters and bumbling comedians. But what is it about the Wolfman that keeps audiences coming back for more? Perhaps it's his relatability. Who among us hasn't felt like a completely different person when we're hangry? Or maybe it's the wish fulfillment of being able to blame all our bad behavior on the moon. "Sorry I howled at your grandmother and chased the mailman. It was a full moon, you know how it is." The Wolfman taps into our fascination with the duality of human nature. He represents the struggle between our civilized selves and our primal instincts. It's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but with more body hair and a greater risk of fleas. Over the years, we've seen many variations on the Wolfman theme. In 1961, Hammer Films gave us "The Curse of the Werewolf," starring Oliver Reed. This version leaned heavily into the tragic romance angle, because nothing says "date night" like uncontrollable lunar-induced transformations. The 1980s saw a werewolf renaissance, with films like "An American Werewolf in London" (1981) and "The Howling" (1981) bringing groundbreaking special effects to the transformation sequences. Suddenly, turning into a wolf wasn't just a matter of slapping on some fur and fangs. It was a bone-cracking, skin-stretching, hair-sprouting spectacle that had audiences both amazed and reaching for the antacids. "An American Werewolf in London" also injected a healthy dose of humor into the werewolf genre. Who can forget the scene of the newly wolfified David Kessler running naked through the zoo, apologizing to the wolves? It was like a furry version of streaking, with added existential dread. The 90s and 2000s saw werewolves adapting to the times. In "Wolf" (1994), Jack Nicholson played a book editor who becomes a werewolf, using his newfound animal instincts to navigate the cutthroat world of publishing. Because nothing says "corporate America" like marking your territory in the board room. The "Underworld" series pitted werewolves (or Lycans, as they preferred to be called) against vampires in a centuries-old war. It was like "Romeo and Juliet," if Romeo could bench-press a car and Juliet had a fear of garlic. And of course, we can't forget the "Twilight" saga, which gave us werewolves with a penchant for going shirtless and imprinting on infants. It was... certainly a take on werewolf lore. Let's just say it had some folks howling, and not always in a good way. More recent years have seen attempts to return to the Wolfman's roots. The 2010 remake of "The Wolfman," starring Benicio del Toro, tried to recapture the gothic horror of the original. It was a valiant effort, even if it did sometimes feel like watching a very hairy man run through Victorian England in slow motion. TV has also gotten in on the werewolf action. Shows like "Teen Wolf" and "Hemlock Grove" have brought lycanthropy to the small screen, often with a healthy dose of teen angst thrown in. Because being a teenager isn't hard enough without also having to worry about sprouting fur during algebra class. But no matter how he's portrayed, the Wolfman always maintains certain iconic traits. Let's break down the Wolfy Starter Pack, shall we? The Uncontrollable Transformations: Because self-control is overrated when the moon is full. The Excessive Body Hair: Putting Bigfoot to shame since 1941. The Heightened Senses: Great for hunting, not so great for walking past the local dog park. The Morning-After Amnesia: What happens under the full moon, stays under the full moon. The Torn Clothing: Apparently, Lycra wasn't a thing in werewolf fashion. The Tragic Romance: Because nothing spices up a relationship like the constant threat of being eaten. The Aversion to Silver: Making family dinners at Grandma's house a real challenge. Now, let's address some of our furry friend's... unique quirks. First off, there's his fashion sense, or lack thereof. For someone who knows they're going to transform regularly, you'd think they'd invest in some stretchy pants. But no, it's always the same routine: transform, rip through clothes, wake up naked in a field. It's like the world's worst walk of shame, every full moon. Then there's the whole silver allergy. You'd think after a few centuries, werewolves would have developed some kind of resistance. Maybe start small with silver-plated cutlery and work your way up? But nope, one touch of the shiny stuff and it's yelps and whimpers all around. And let's not forget the Wolfman's interesting relationship with canines. In many stories, dogs can sense a werewolf and react with fear or aggression. It's like the ultimate case of sibling rivalry. "Oh, you think you're a big bad wolf? I'll show you who's the real alpha around here, Mr. Part-Time Pupper!" But perhaps the Wolfman's most endearing quality is his monthly struggle with his inner beast. It's something we can all relate to, even if our version is less "uncontrollable transformation into a murderous wolf creature" and more "eating an entire pint of ice cream while binge-watching reality TV." The Wolfman, in all his hairy glory, represents something fundamentally human. He's the embodiment of our struggle with our baser instincts, the fight between our civilized selves and our wild nature. He reminds us that no matter how much we try to tame ourselves, there's always a bit of the beast lurking inside. He's also a testament to the power of a good skincare routine. I mean, have you seen how flawless his human form is after all that monthly fur-shedding? Werewolves must have one heck of an exfoliation regimen. So, the next time you're out for a moonlit stroll and hear a distant howl, don't run away in terror. Take a moment to appreciate the Wolfman and all he represents. Just maybe appreciate from a safe distance. And if you have any silver jewelry on you, well, no harm in keeping it handy. Remember, dear listeners, we all have a little bit of the wolf inside us. The
