Classic Halloween TV Movie: Moon of the Wolf

 

Every October I like to look back on at least one of the classic TV horror movies, just in time for Halloween. And every year I realize, given the number of memorable films presented by the networks, especially in the 1970s and ‘80s, that I should probably explore this territory more often. 

 

This year the choice was particularly tough. Salem’s Lot, a worthy adaptation of the Stephen King novel? Scream queen Linda Blair in Summer of Fear? Should we travel across the pond for the classy but creepy The Woman in Black, which debuted on British television? Or watch Kim Darby and Jim Hutton contend with the demons in their fireplace in Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark? 

 

As I wrote in previous pieces like this, what makes these movies interesting is how they manage to frighten an audience without the graphic blood and guts mayhem employed by most contemporary horror movies. Through creative filmmaking technique and effective performances, they managed to comply with broadcast standards that placed strict limits on violence, and became triumphs of artistry over gore.

 

And if you don’t think a film that debuted in prime time a half-century ago could actually be scary, watch Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark from 1973 – and don’t blame me if you then jump at every noise in your house, and don’t get much sleep that night. 

 

But this year, I’m going with Moon of the Wolf, because you can’t go wrong with a good werewolf story, and because this 1972 classic stars one of my favorite Comfort TV actors, David Janssen. 

 

 

 

It’s arguably the least frightening of the titles I’ve already mentioned, but it’s also the most evocative. The first half plays more like a Southern Gothic murder mystery, after the body of a young woman is discovered in Louisiana marshland, with part of her torn to shreds.  Janssen plays Sheriff Aaron Whitaker, who is called to investigate. 

 

 

His search takes him to office of the local doctor (John Beradino), who had an affair with the girl, and to the ancestral home of the Rodanthe family, who established the community a hundred years earlier. The current heir, Andrew Rodanthe (Bradford Dillman) also had a hidden connection to the victim. The sheriff is pleased to see Andrew’s sister Louise (Barbara Rush) has come home, as their relationship dates back to high school.

 

 

Sheriff Whitaker focuses on three suspects and throws one of them in jail, but his investigation is upended after that suspect is mauled to death by someone – or something – strong enough to tear iron bars from concrete walls. 

 

Meanwhile the father of the murdered girl, already on his deathbed, keeps exclaiming the same mysterious word in French – “Lougaroug.” 

 

What does it all mean? It doesn’t take long to find out. Another benefit of these TV movies is that many of them unfold at a crisp 75-80 minute running time, long enough to deliver a layered story but short enough not to monopolize your entire evening. 

 

David Janssen was such a grounded actor that it was fun to watch his character contend with something supernatural. He had wonderful chemistry with Barbara Rush, which isn’t surprising as they had worked together before, most notably in the classic two-part Fugitive story “Landscape With Running Figures.”

 

I also enjoyed seeing John Beradino here, playing a doctor but one that was very different from the esteemed physician he played on General Hospital from 1963 to 1996. 

 

How does it end? That would be telling. But if you prefer Halloween stories with more subtlety than shock value, give Moon of the Wolf a try on YouTube. And take a moment to look back fondly on the time when three networks could turn out dozens of quality original films every television season, challenging us to choose between the ones that looked most interesting and our favorite regular series. How wonderful that so many we missed the first time around can now be enjoyed online.