Villian(s)  Werewolf

Actor(s):  David Janssen, Barbara Rush, Bradford Dillman, John Beradino

Brief Description  Moon of the Wolf (1972) is a classic made-for-TV horror-mystery film that originally aired as an ABC Movie of the Week on September 26, 1972. Directed by Daniel Petrie and based on a 1967 Gothic horror novel by Leslie H. Whitten, the 75-minute movie leans heavily into a police procedural style mixed with classic werewolf folklore.

Plot:
The story takes place in the fictional bayou town of Marsh Island, Louisiana. The mystery begins when two local farmers, Tom Sr. and Tom Jr., discover the mutilated, scratch-covered body of a young local woman named Ellie Burrifors. Local Sheriff Aaron Whitaker steps in to investigate. The town doctor, Dr. Druten, attributes the immediate cause of death to a blunt blow to the head. Early suspicion falls on wild dog packs or local residents. Sheriff Whitaker questions Ellie's hot-headed brother, Lawrence, who reveals his sister had a secret wealthy lover. The victim’s terminally ill father repeatedly mumbles the words "loup-garou" (the Cajun-French term for werewolf). The Sheriff initial disregards this folklore.

Whitaker focuses his attention on the wealthy, high-society Rodanthe siblings, Louise and Andrew. He discovers that Andrew was indeed Ellie's secret lover. Soon, it becomes apparent that a terrifying family curse plagues the Rodanthe bloodline. Andrew is secretly the werewolf, a fact hidden by his sister. Andrew attempts to avoid discovery by volunteering as a deputy, but eventually escapes into the bayou after a hospital outbreak. A massive manhunt ensues. In the final confrontation, Louise is forced to shoot her own brother to end the terror. Upon his death, Andrew's body shifts back into human form, confirming the werewolf legend to the shocked town.