David Janssen

Barbara Rush

Bradford Dillman

John Beradino

Geoffrey Lewis

Royal Dano

John Davis Chandler

Claudia McNeil

Dan Priest

Robert Phillips

Serena Sande

George Sawaya

Dick Crockett

Sonny Klein

Emery Hollier

Teddy Airhart

Daniel Petrie

Alvin Sapinsley

Les Whitten

Everett Chambers

Edward S. Feldman

Richard M. Rosenbloom

Peter Thomas

Bernardo Segall

Richard C. Glouner

Richard Halsey

Hoyt Bowers

James Hulsey

George R. Nelson

Thomas Tuttle

William Tuttle

Richard Kobritz

Barry Thomas

Evelyn Rutledge

Arnie Lipin

Horror

Mystery

Thriller

TV Movie

Moon of the Wolf

Filmways Television

United States of America

_**Southern Gothic murder mystery with a werewolf**_

A young woman is found dead near a bayou town in Louisiana. Was she slain by wild dogs, a person or… a werewolf? The Sheriff (David Janssen) has several suspects: the doctor (John Beradino), the woman’s brother (Geoffrey Lewis), a swamp yokel (John Davis Chandler) and the town aristocrat (Bradford Dillman). Barbara Rush is on hand as the latter’s sister and the Sheriff’s potential romantic interest. 

“Moon of the Wolf” (1972) debuted on TV as a Movie of the Week, which was known for producing some really good or even great modest-budget productions, like “Tribes” (1970), “Duel” (1971), “The Night Stalker” (1972), “Kung Fu” (1972), “Short Walk to Daylight” (1972), “Go Ask Alice” (1973), “Pray for the Wildcats” (1974), "Dracula" with Jack Palance (1974) and “Trilogy of Terror” (1975).

As my title blurb says, this one’s a Southern Gothic murder mystery at heart. Despite the werewolf element, it should be enjoyed by anyone who likes Southern Gothics, whether crime dramas, mysteries or horrors, especially from the 60s-80s, like “In the Heat of the Night” (1967), “Squirm” (1976), “Cat People” (1982), “The Skeleton Key” (2005), and so on. 

Keeping in mind that it’s a television production from the early 70s with the limitations thereof, the cast is great and the Deep South ambiance is authentic.

The film doesn’t overstay its welcome at a mere 1 hour, 14 minutes, and was shot in Clinton (town) & Burnside (Rodanthe estate), Louisiana.

GRADE: B-

English

Moon of the Wolf - Trailer 1972 Movie