However, horror will always be what Lon Chaney Jr. is most closely associated with.
Particularly during the 1940s, Chaney, Jr. was a top choice for Universal’s monster films.
The studio seemingly discovered that Chaney, Jr. was talented enough to portray a variety of creatures.
This triggered Larry’s revival, allowing him to resume his periodic transformations into the Wolf Man.
For this film, his goal was to find a way to die permanently.
Making this more impressive is the rapid succession in which he took on these roles.
Lon Chaney, Jr. played the other three Universal monsters all within his seven-year stint as the Wolf Man.
He originated the Count Alucard version of Dracula inSon of Draculaand played Frankenstein’s Monster inGhost of Frankenstein.
Aside from the Wolf Man,The Mummy is the only Universal monster that Chaney.
Interestingly, all of these roles preceded Chaney Jr.’s final Larry Talbot appearance inAbbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Jr. put his irremovable stamp on Larry Talbot.
Various iterations of Larry Talbot have since materialized over the years, both on the big and small screen.
Benecio del Toro stepped into Lon Chaney, Jr’s shoes to take over the role of Talbot.
The film will remain theonly proper remake ofThe Wolf Manuntil 2025when Universal releases another adaptation of the story.
