The Werewolf (1956 film)

The Werewolf is a 1956 American science fiction horror film directed by Fred F. Sears and starring Steven Ritch, Don Megowan, and Joyce Holden. The film blends elements of classic werewolf lore with Cold War anxieties, presenting the werewolf as a victim of accidental scientific experimentation rather than supernatural curse.

The plot centers around a man named Duncan Marsh (Steven Ritch) who, while suffering from amnesia, wanders into a small mountain town. Unbeknownst to him, he has been subjected to radiation exposure from a newly developed experimental isotope created by a government scientist and a local doctor working in secret. This exposure triggers a transformation into a werewolf, leading to a series of brutal murders.

The town sheriff (Don Megowan) investigates the killings, initially suspecting a wild animal. As the body count rises, suspicion falls on Duncan, particularly as his amnesia prevents him from remembering his whereabouts during the attacks. The scientists, realizing the horrific consequences of their experiment, desperately try to find a cure.

The film diverges from traditional werewolf narratives by emphasizing the scientific cause of the transformation and the protagonist's lack of control over his actions. Duncan Marsh is portrayed as a sympathetic figure, a victim of circumstance rather than an inherently evil monster. He is ultimately killed, a tragic end highlighting the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition.

The Werewolf is considered a low-budget B-movie, but it has gained a cult following for its unique blend of genres and its reflection of Cold War fears about radiation and government secrecy.