aycorn wrote:
wilbursbrain wrote:
I have no problem with the movie taking place in Victorian England. Although it's not true to the original Wolf Man, I do believe that it would work better for visual and atmospheric purposes. While 1941 wasn't exactly yesterday, it's still considered somewhat modern, especially compared to Victorian England. Perhaps they were afraid that keeping the timeframe somewhat modern would draw comparisons to American Werewolf in London?

Looking back at the original, it could have taken place in the 19th century, really. About the only thing linking it to the present (of 1941) was Chaney's performance, since he plays Larry as pretty much a (then) contemporary American. That and some of the clothes the girls wear. Otherwise - the Talbot home, the village, the gypsies, it could easily have been taking place in the 19th century.


Didn't Larry talk about working on the Mt. Wilson Observatory? They broke ground on that in 1904, which is pretty darn close to the 19th century.

I've always suspected that scripter Curt Siodmak never meant to set it in contemporary times at all, as really, in addition to the dresses (which aren't necessarily modern) only the latter day cars and Larry's loud ties tie it to that decade, and these aren't specific to the script (as far as I know).