The White Witch and Maugrim from a 1967 BBC production. As it was customary for the BBC to record over all videotapes, the actual show has been lost.
Although Maugrim — or Fenris Ulf, depending on your edition — is only a minor character in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe he takes greater importance in stage adaptations. In the play he serves as the White Witch’s right hand man and is the villain of the first major conflict, when he chases Susan up a tree. Aslan and Peter arrive to save the day, with Peter killing the wolf with his sword Rhyndon (not named until the second book) for which he is knighted by Aslan. For a children’s stage production it’s a flashy, exciting moment.
Though wolves soon disappear from the story the actors likely returned later in other roles due to the economy of casting. They might have changed costumes and become soldiers in the Witch’s army, for example.
Like Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, and often Aslan himself, Maugrim is anthropomorphized for stage productions. Usually this is in the manner of the musical Cats, where the species is merely suggested. But in the hands of a good production designer Maugrim should not only suggest wolf but also military officer, along the lines of the Nazi Gestapo or the East German Stasi.
The costumer who created the getup above does both, outfitting him in a brown military coat ornamented with fur. He has wolf ears and a neck ruff, though they are not integrated well with his captain’s hat. His armband reads SP for Secret Police.
Another take on Maugrim as military officer. His wolf ears are attached directly to his hat and he sports a dress shirt and tie. His makeup gives his eyes just the right emphasis, though his expression seems quizzical. I bet in this production the scene was played for laughs.
Another nicely done Maugrim in a brown jacket, however it doesn’t have the budget of the first one. I can tell you how it was made: A pair of men’s black jeans, patched and distressed, one of those anthro, furry-headed scarves that were popular a few years back, and an altered suit jacket with sewn cording and round brass buttons. Any amateur theater group can imitate this getup even if their costumer isn’t professionally trained.
Here Maugrim is styled after the comic book hero Wolverine in black leather. He has a tail, though you can see only a hint of it by his left hand. To me he he’s more Maugrim than the previous three costumes, despite not looking like a military officer. He’s more outlaw and gangster.
But there are also conceptions of Maugrim that emphasize his beast nature. In the 2005 Walden/Disney movie, he was an actual wolf (CGI’d of course.) In the text, too, he is more wolf than humanoid. He sleeps on the ground like a giant dog, alarming Edward when he wakes, and rears and snaps at Susan’s ankle when she is trapped in the tree. His fur rises and he growls.
The costume below emphasizes his lupine aspect, with the actor sporting a horrendous mask full of teeth and a bare, athletic body.
This also brings up the point that whether wolf or man-wolf, Maugrim must be able to move, and move quickly. So no bulky fursuits or heavy headpieces.
An effective Maugrim done with with just a black bodysuit and a puppet head.
Maugrim with a double cane? I can guess they were necessary so the actor could imitate a four-limbed canine lope, but they do look silly in this still from a Danish production.
