Friday, November 3, 2023

Re-Halloween Special!: Werewolf of London from Universal Monsters ReAction by Super7

 

   I've got another Re-Halloween special for all you spooky people out there: The Werewolf of London. Awooo!! While this figure doesn't come with a Chinese menu in his hand, he does have on a rather nice purple robe and his hair is indeed perfect. While the package simply says Werewolf of London, the figure is Dr. Wilfred Glendon in his werewolf form from the 1935 Universal Pictures horror film Werewolf of London. And, yes, the film (or at least the title) did inspire the song by the late, great Warren Zevon ("Excitable Boy" is easily one of my top 25 albums of all time). Henry Hull played a tortured werewolf in Werewolf of London six years before Lon Chaney Jr. played Larry Talbot in 1941's The Wolf Man, and while it's not the better film, Werewolf of London did come out first and has a unique charm to it. I quite like the movie and I was extremely excited to get this figure for my birthday a couple months back. I originally planned on reviewing this figure for The ABCs of 31 Days of Toy terror but he got bumped back to Re-Halloween. Ready to check out the Werewolf of London? Then join me after the break...




The Facts:

Height: 3 3/4ths

Articulation: Swivel hips, swivel shoulders, and a swivel neck.

Accessories: None

Non-Scalper Price: $20 dollars






The Packaging:




* There are very few toylines I could find any way to justify keeping in the package but Super7's ReAction figures are one of them. The fantastic art of Henry Hull as Dr. Wilfred Glendon by Ed Repka is just incredible and makes for a pretty impressive looking carded specimen.










The Positives:


* What a smartly dressed fellow! A tuxedo shirt with a black bowtie! A swanky maroon housecoat! I'd love to meet his tailor! The Werewolf of London is pretty nicely dressed, kind of capturing both sides of what Wilfred does: Go to fancy outings and hang around the house ignoring his wife, Lisa. The gorgeous Valerie Hobson was in three films 1935 that have fallen under the Universal horror banner (Werewolf of London, Bride of Frankenstein, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood), so while Wilfred was ignoring her, no one else was! Anyways, he's a cool looking figure that looks distinct from the Wolf Man, so no one should be mistaking him in your collection.









* Check out his claws! Wilfred's definitely engaged in some full blown werewolfery here. His nails are long and sharp and he has huge, furry paws. Just like a wolf, wouldn't you say? Dr. Yogami has better watch out!









* Since he's a ReAction figure, Dr. Glendon only has five points of articulation. That's all I'd expect from a faux retro figure like this so it's all good. I do like the feel of Super7's ReAction figures far more than most other companies shooting for the vintage Kenner aesthetic. They just feel right. Hard to explain. 

* Let's talk about the portrait. One of the things that still sets Henry Hull's portrayal of a werewolf apart from most others is that he's recognizable. People who see him in the film realize who he is. There's some good detail here and he definitely looks very vintage. But...

The Negatives:

* He looks far too much like Count Chocula. Yeah, these figures are vintage inspired but I'm usually more impressed by the likeness. This one looks a bit off.



   While Werewolf of London isn't one of the top tier Universal Monsters/ Universal horror films in terms of its pop culture appeal, it's definitely a solid B-tier movie and it's quite cool to see a figure of Dr. Wilfred Glendon. An accessory would have been nice (perhaps the mariphasa lupine lumina) and a bit stronger headsculpt would be welcome, but it's still a Good figure for fans of these classic films. Yeah, most people don't recognize this guy, but those of us who do probably get a thrill that he's able to hang out with the rest of the ReAction Universal Monsters crew. 





This is the first figure of Dr. Wilfred Glendon that I've reviewed. For more reviews from Super7's Universal Monsters ReAction line check out the following:

6 comments:

  1. Of the three figures made of Glendon over the years, why are two of them him his dang bathrobe? I know he does wear this in the movie, particularly the first time he turns into a werewolf, but he spends more time in the hat, Inverness and tweed suit. Which is a much more striking look than the bathrobe/smoking jacket. I have a similar problem with the insistence on Griffin from The Invisible Man in the bathrobe as opposed to the suit and tie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I'm not sure why the smoking jackets are the go to choice. That Sideshow 8 inch Dr. Glendon figure is really nice. I don't remember it at all, though I do have a few releases from that series.

      Delete
  2. Man, three Glendon figures since the 90s and two of them are this look. The bathrobe/smoking jacket. Much like the Invisible Man, it's a look I've never liked for the character, or in fact any character, at least not when the robe is that long; short smoking jackets look stylish. If only they had Glendon in the tweed suit with the Inverness and hat, I'd grab this instantly. But I am so tired of the bathrobe look I'm going to just be petty and spiteful. As for Griffin, although I prefer the suit and tie look with goggles to the bathrobe with sunglasses (I've always thought it was the least visually interesting of the character's two costumes), I'm happy enough with the fact NECA did the first look that I'm willing to consider getting Jada's figure, which has him in the robe and sunglasses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really want to see the Jada figures in person. I've never seen them at retail anywhere in the states.

      Delete
  3. For some reason I can't get this dang thing to cooperate. It keeps telling me it can't sign me in to comment. I don't know if these are going through. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Huh. That's weird. Not sure what would be causing that!

      Delete

What'chu talkin' 'bout?