THE WEREWOLF (1956)

Available to rent on Amazon Prime!
Directed by Fred F. Sears
Written by Robert E. Kent & James B. Gordon
Starring Steven Ritch, Don (Dan) Megowan, Joyce Holden, Harry Lauter, Ken Christy, S. John Launer, George Lynn

Having heard about this film for quite some time and being a diehard werewolf lunatic, when I saw that While THE WEREWOLF has many of the classic wolfman standbys of a monster on the loose, fleeing from an angry mob while pulling at the heartstrings of the audience, this classic is a standout in the werewolf subgenre for numerous reasons.

First and foremost, the werewolf makeup and transformation (a must for all lycanthropy films) are top notch. While it strays from the classic Lon Chaney Jr. design, it still maintains the feel with large wispy eyebrows and a prominent row of gnarly teeth. The classic fade through various stages of transformation is both cheesy and impressive.

The main distinction from other wolf man films is that actor Steven Ritch, who plays the werewolf, isn’t cursed by a demon or bitten by a werewolf; instead, he’s a product of science. Late in the film, a pair of scientists are introduced who set out to eliminate their escaped mistake. Adding a scientific element to the mix makes this a somewhat more an Atom Age take of science gone wrong rather than a classic Universal take on the beast.

THE WEREWOLF is high on drama with multiple scenes of talking heads (a detriment to many a monster movie of old)–due to limited budget, most likely. The high amount of melodrama might ring as schmaltz for some, but it also adds to the fun when the Werewolf’s family is negotiating with him as he hides out in the woods. Don Megowan plays the gung-ho sheriff set to bring the monster in for murder, while his nurse girlfriend Joyce Holden pleads for him to play nice. Steven Ritch amps up the sympathy factor as well and deserves some extra props for walking through snow in bare feet!

Much old timey fun is to be had with THE WEREWOLF: every bit the classic of Universal’s WOLF MAN with a bit of a modern sci fi twist thrown in for distinction.

Check out the trailer here!!