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Face of the Screaming Werewolf
Experimenting in hypnotic regression to past lives, Dr. Edmund Redding of the Cowan Institute in Pasadena has discovered that Ann Taylor is a reincarnated Aztec woman. Via her recovered memories, she is able to lead Redding and his associates to a hidden chamber in the Great Pyramid of Yucatan, where they hope to find the lost treasure of the Aztecs. Instead, they find two mummified bodies - one of a modern man, quite dead, and the other of an ancient Aztec, quite alive. They are able to return safely to Pasadena with both finds, but a rival professor, Janney, kills Redding and steals the body of the modern man-mummy. This he subjects to a resurrection experiment, which works - only the mummy proves to be a werewolf. Two supernatural menaces roam the city that night. This film is composed of footage from two unrelated Mexican horror movies, LA CASA DEL TERROR and LA MOMIA AZTECA, plus new footage shot in the U.S. by Jerry Warren.
Insights
Plot Summary
A mad scientist, Dr. Moran, experimenting with werewolf blood, injects himself and transforms into a monstrous creature. He plans to transfer his condition to others, creating a pack of werewolves. The authorities, led by Inspector Diaz, race against time to stop Moran and his terrifying transformations before he unleashes his lycanthropic curse upon the unsuspecting public.
Critical Reception
This low-budget Mexican horror film is often criticized for its rudimentary special effects, disjointed plot, and repetitive nature. Despite featuring Lon Chaney Jr., the film failed to impress critics and is generally regarded as a minor entry in the werewolf subgenre, primarily appealing to cult film enthusiasts.
What Reviewers Say
The film suffers from extremely low production values and a lack of coherent storytelling.
Lon Chaney Jr.'s presence does little to elevate the uninspired direction and weak script.
The special effects are notably poor, even for the era, detracting from any potential scares.
Google audience: Audience reception for this film is largely negative, with many viewers citing its poor quality, nonsensical plot, and unimpressive special effects as major drawbacks. It is often considered a forgettable and poorly made horror movie.
Fun Fact
This film is notable for being a re-edited and re-dubbed version of the 1957 Mexican film 'La Marca del Hombre Lobo' (The Mark of the Wolfman), with new scenes featuring Lon Chaney Jr. shot specifically for its American release.
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