OMM2024 - Night 16: I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957)

 I'm going for a double-feature today! #OctoberMovieMarathon This movie was suggested by Caren!

Night 16

I was a Teenage Werewolf (1957)

6/10

Tony is an angry teenager, but reluctantly goes to seek help from a hypnotherapist- who might not have his best interests at heart.

A very solid movie! Not quite "scary" as much as a thriller, I did not expect there to be a man/werewolf hunt in the middle. There's a couple of scenes that drag a bit, but I really feel for our main character Tony. The characters are simple but effective- and you feel for them having to deal with this terrifying situation. The teenagers were also pretty convincing and felt like real people, and usually that's something I don't get from older films. It's not a super high score because it's not too scary and it does sag in the middle- but this is a great addition to a spooky movie lineup, especially if you want an older movie that isn't one of the "classics". Give this one a watch! I like it!

This one I actually found on YouTube. So that's an easy place to watch it if you're interested! (*cough cough SmartTube or YouTubeVanced cough cough*)

 

SPOILERS BELOW THE POSTER!

 

SPOILERS START HERE! 

I don't have too much to say in terms of deep thoughts. The ending morale is a bit forced I think... the "it's not for man to interfere in the ways of God" feels more like the ending punchline to a Twilight Zone episode than the wrap up of a movie. And though it features a doctor who's trying to- regress humanity to restart society (I think?) I don't really feel a pull between the natural/godly world and science as much as a pull between personal gains vs working with people. In fact, I think an ending moral about having to "adjust" to society and that being a good thing would have resonated more with the characters in the film.

Poor Tony, he really did want to find a way to be better and he had so many people pulling for him! If only the doctor he was recommended wasn't evil... Tony! No! :'(

If you've had anger issues in your life I think Tony will resonate with you. I just wish he got a happier ending... maybe he could have saved someone during the final fight instead of just killing the doctor... though I'm glad he got his revenge, I think...

Effects are good for this era, and I appreciate the camera effects to hide the makeup changes for the werewolf transformation. Perhaps it's a little goofy today, but it does what it needs to and I think it adds a bit of hazy, hypnosis-y feel to what's usually shown as a gruesome transformation. Overall, pretty fun- I like it!