Dr. Mannering is a jerk

[gwynnega]

Last night I rewatched Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), and today I keep thinking about what a jerk the doctor character in the movie is. Early in the film Larry Talbot tells Dr. Mannering, "I'm a murderer! Call the police!" (because he turned into a wolf and killed someone the night before). Dr. Mannering says it's all in Larry's mind, just calm down and let me help you, etc. About half an hour later in the film, Mannering has done his research and tracks down Larry. "You're a murderer!" Mannering proclaims. To which Larry
hilariously replies, "Prove it."

The second half of the film deals with Larry's quest to learn the secrets of dead Dr. Frankenstein in the hopes he can be put out of his misery. Mannering also learns Frankenstein's secrets so that, at the behest of the freaked-out townspeople, he can destroy the Monster, who is operating at half steam but still snarling and destructive (and unfortunately played by Bela Lugosi). Then, nearly at the end of the film, Mannering decides, Nope, I can't destroy the Monster! I have to see him at "full power"! Which is just as ill-advised as it sounds. A (brief) epic battle between the powered-up Monster and the Wolf Man ensues, and Mannering (after being knocked around a bit by the Monster) escapes scot-free, though he really doesn't deserve it.

Comments

[usedtobeljs]

Yikes. He doesn't sound like a winner, certainly.

Hugs!

[gwynnega]

I've seen the film at least a couple of times before, but for some reason his awfulness really struck me this time!

::hugs::

[sovay]

A (brief) epic battle between the powered-up Monster and the Wolf Man ensues, and Mannering (after being knocked around a bit by the Monster) escapes scot-free, though he really doesn't deserve it.

I am so sorry no one dismembers him.

[gwynnega]

That would have been more satisfying.

[sovay]

That would have been more satisfying.

You should write the correct ending.

[gwynnega]

I'd say the Wolf Man should be the one to kill him, except Larry would feel guilty about it later, so I guess the Monster could do the job.

[sovay]

except Larry would feel guilty about it later, so I guess the Monster could do the job.

The Wolf Man would be appropriate considering how cavalierly the doctor's treated him, but I am firmly on Team Good Lord Larry Has Like Three Lifetime Supplies of Guilt Already, so I approve this plan.

[oracne]

Mannering should have been eaten.

[gwynnega]

Yes.