We love seeing stars pay their respects to those who came before them. It helps us better understand their craft. By tracing the lineage, we can shed new light on what these stars do on camera. Sure, we're watching the latest matinee idol up on the big screen, but we can also see the giants whose shoulders he stands on. When it's showcased carefully, that influence can be a delightful, winking acknowledgment for fans to clue into, a kind of "if you know, you know" for savvy viewers. 

Here's a less-than-obvious source of inspiration, though: Did you know that Christopher Lee held horror icon Lon Chaney, Jr. in high regard?

In a 1974 interview for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Lee bared his fangs and his truths, diving deep into the horror greats that came before him. Editor-in-Chief Forry Ackerman was perhaps better suited than anyone else (supernatural or otherwise) to pose questions to Lee. His understanding of the horror genre was second-to-none, so when he asked Lee about the differences between films of his era and those of the past, he was careful to mention Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, who played characters Lee would go on to inhabit as well.

Watch Svengoolie on MeTV!

Saturdays at 8 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

And while Lee clearly held Karloff and Lugosi as influential actors in his own right, he was quick to add a third name to the pantheon.

"Of course the era of the '30s and '40s you're obviously thinking of many others as well— Lon Chaney earlier on. The great master, I think. THE master, beyond any doubt. To me, any way."

No doubt was Lee inspired by the humanity Chaney, Jr, brought to his roles, particularly that of Larry Talbot, the title star of The Wolf Man. What could have been a crude caricature of a monster was instead imbued with real pathos in Chaney's performance. And just like that great actor before him, Lee would himself bring unexpected layers and elements to the monsters he portrayed.