The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973/Blu-ray/Scream Factory) Review

Richie Bridgestone’s parents are getting a divorce, but that’s the least of his problems at the moment. Richie is hoping his parents will reconsider and on a visit to his father ’s secluded cabin, he witnesses his dad being attacked by a werewolf. Much like the tale of the boy who cried wolf, no one in the town will believe Richie’s claims that his father will change into a werewolf at the next full moon. 

Of all the werewolf films I have seen and or heard of I have to say that I cannot remember ever hearing about the film we have here today. The title reminds me of something that would of came out more in the 60's than in 1973. Now if you go by the belief that the style of the previous decade rolls over into the first couple of years of the new decade then this would explain it's style and kinda goofy title. Going into this film I pretty much knew that what I might get is a campy werewolf film. What I got pretty much was that, but that's not to say I did not have fun with this film.  

For the most part the acting was pretty good even with the actor playing Richie was a bit annoying from time to time. Honestly the character that I found myself enjoying was the leader of the hippie jesus freaks. He was quite funny and over the top even though I don't think that's what they were going for necessarily. Sadly I am really not too familiar with the cast on this film besides the actor playing Richie's fur covered father Kerwin Mathews who I have seen in "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad". 

When it comes to the werewolf makeup effects well you get pretty much what looks alot more like a halloween mask. Now they did make it a bit better than a Halloween mask, but nowhere near as cool as some thing like the original Wolf-man makeup from the 1941 film. It's nothing great, but not as bad as it could be. As far as anything gore related there really was not much and when there was some it was pretty basic. It would of been a bit more affective if they could of used just a little bit of hair glued to his hands instead of gloves made to look like a werewolfs. 

Overall this was a pretty fun film that I think fans of more low budget horror films will enjoy. One very cool thing is that this is this films first ever proper home video release and in HD nonethless! Sadly the special features only include a trailer and a still gallery. I would of loved to of heard stories from any of the still living cast about the making of this film. Sadly in 2002 the director Nathan Juran passed away so there would of course be no way to get his imput about making this film. 

-Daniel Lee


Director: Nathan Juran
Lead Actor/Actress:
Genre: Horror
Blu-ray Release Year: 2016
Theatrical Release Year: 1973
Time Length: 93 mins.
Rating: PG
Region Code: Region A
Release Company: Scream Factory
Website: www.shoutfactory.com