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Friday, September 15, 2023

Bela Lugosi As The Frankenstein Monster ("Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man", 1943) (video)

 


Since the brain of Ygor (Bela Lugosi) was placed into the Monster's skull in GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN(1942)...

 
...Lugosi was chosen to play the Monster in the follow-up, FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943).
Thus, the Monster, now partially-blind, would speak with Ygor's voice.

But before the film's release, all references to the Monster's speech and blindness were removed.
The Monster's stiff, lurching walk is now unexplained...
...as are his silent mouth movements.  

At 60, Lugosi was in need of stand-ins for the more strenuous scenes.
Actor/stuntman Gil Perkins looked so good in the makeup, it is he whom we first see in close-up as the Monster.  
Another actor/stuntman, Eddie Parker, also plays the Monster.
 
Perkins and Parker then take turns as Monster and Wolf Man during their climactic fight.
...with Bela appearing in the close-ups.

Mystery and confusion as to "who did what", compounded by extensive reshoots, continue to surround the production.

Fans of the film mourn the missing footage, which will most likely never be recovered.
And they imagine being able to watch the film, and Lugosi's performance, in their original form.

Thanks to Joro Gaming for the music.

(Note: At about 2:35, it should say "no longer" instead of "longer." Can't believe I missed that.)

Originally posted on 12/22/21
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material. Just having some fun with it!



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