Moon of the Wolf (1972) (TV)

Are you left-handed?, 27 July 2005

Younger people may find it hard to believe, but there was a time when horror fans actually looked forward to movies like Moon of the Wolf. Before cable/satellite television and home video libraries, fans were at the mercy of the three major networks to satisfy some of their craving for horror movies. The networks would occasionally oblige the horror fan with made-for-television movies. When one of these movies appeared in the TV lineup, I couldn't wait. Titles like Satan's School for Girls, The Night Stalker, Death at Love House, and Bad Ronald have become fond childhood memories. I somehow missed Moon of the Wolf when it was originally aired, but I didn't miss much.

The story begins with the discovery of a woman's body in a swamp. Because of the way her body was ravaged, the townsfolk immediately put the blame for her death on "wild dogs". But the local doctor doesn't see it that way. He notes a human element present in the woman's death. As the sheriff begins his investigation, more people die brutal deaths. An old man in the swamp insists that the deaths are caused by a "loup-garou". But that seems like nonsense to the sheriff. Surely there's not a werewolf loose in the swamp.

As far as 70s made-for-television horror goes, Moon of the Wolf is far from the best. Too much of the movie plays like a soap opera. You've got: the dead girl's mysterious pregnancy, the rich man in town who treats it and the people who live there like his personal fiefdom, the budding romance between the sheriff and the rich man's sister who has returned to town under a cloud of uncertainty, and the drugs the dead girl was stealing from the hospital. It's all too corny and does nothing to help the horror aspects of the film. By the time the werewolf shows up (the final 10 minutes), it's too late.

The movie attempts to make a big mystery out of who the werewolf is. The sheriff quickly comes up with three possible suspects, but as a fan of horror, if you can't spot the real killer, you need to have your horror card taken from you. The answer to the mystery literally beats you over the head. The sheriff also has a very unique way of trying to uncover the truth. Instead of long, drawn-out interrogations, the sheriff's entire investigation consists of asking almost everybody in town, "Are you left-handed?" because the doctor has told him that the killer may (or may not) be left-handed. What amazing police work! I'm surprised CSI hasn't' picked-up on this method of crime solving.

You may be asking yourself if the movie is as bad and silly as I've described, why haven't I rated it any lower? Well, I can't help myself. It's a nostalgia thing with me. I grew up with these movies and still enjoy them no matter how bad they are. I'm a sucker for this stuff.

4/10