Well, it’s Halloween time and I run a website, so I figured the least I could do was write something Halloween related. But, this assignment quickly turned from task to something indubitably better. I went to the local Dollar Tree, and for those unfortunate enough to not have one nearby, you’re missing out on a treasure trove of cheap goodness. They had a relatively impressive collection of Halloween goods, ranging from bulk candy, to stretchable vampires, and so on. But, having only a dollar in my wallet, I had to choose wisely. My choice? Look above, and just maybe, you’ll feel what I felt when I first laid eyes upon this miniature wolf/man hybrid behind a plastic prison. Much like a common prostitute, he was begging to be freed and fondled, but not necessarily in that order.
The first major misconception I had was that I prematurely assumed I was taking home a figurine based upon the famous film The Wolf Man (1941). I was mistaken. As you’ll see on the left, that’s the most recognizable werewolf of them all, from the aforementioned horror masterpiece. So, if not him, what werewolf did I now own? Peer upon the mysterious austere figure to the right for the answer to that query. From the film The Curse of the Werewolf (1961), I now owned Leon Corledo, which sounds neither scary nor appropriate to me.
At first, before doing the proper research, I must admit I wasn’t particularly awestruck by this figurine. The attention to detail provided nice touches, but overall, it wasn’t doing much to warrant its admittedly cheap price. Once I found out that it was in fact based upon an actual film, and that my werewolf wasn’t wearing dress clothes for the hell of it, I was definitely more satisfied. Based upon what meager photos I could find of the film, the figurine’s ripped shirt and pointy ears are extremely close to its cinematic counterpart.
In fact, here’s a side-by-side comparison of our wolf-like pal Leon in his two unique forms. You’ve got to admit, just the fact that now, 45 years later, this obscure horror character is being immortalized as a figurine sold exclusively in dingy dollar stores is kind of bizarre enough to be noteworthy.
Even after the ghoulish holiday is over, Leon Corledo now has a permanent home on my stove amongst the spices. Subsequently, to make him feel more at home, I ripped the shirt I’m wearing now to shreds.
Thus ends Review the World’s foray into the wicked world of Halloween for 2006. I made this rad image for you all as a token of my sincere and genuine appreciation of your support. Although we weren’t deeply steeped in the holiday on the site, it’s always been one of my personal favorites; also, albeit a bit premature, I do already have some great ideas for next October.
In conclusion, if anyone’s got a copy, be it an original or homemade dub, of The Curse of the Werewolf and be willing to mail it to me I’d be forever grateful. I’d also be remiss not to recommend my all-time favorite werewolf film to anybody looking for a fun horror movie, and that’d be The Howling (1981), which is available on DVD. I hope everyone has a swell Halloween.
Overall Grade: B+
- Brian