Scream of the Wolf

One of Clint Walker’s best roles and certainly his most intriguing

People are found slain in the coastal Los Angeles region from what appears to be a vicious animal. The Sheriff (Philip Carey) enlists the help of a former hunter turned author, John Wetherby (Peter Graves). He in turn seeks the assistance of his mysterious big game hunter friend (Clint Walker), who seems entertained by the heightened fear that the attacks have created. Jo Ann Pflug is on hand as the author’s girlfriend.

“Scream of the Wolf” (1972) debuted on TV as a Movie of the Week. The 70s produced some really good or even great television films, like “Tribes” (1970), “Duel” (1971), “The Night Stalker” (1972), “Kung Fu” (1972), “Short Walk to Daylight” (1972), “Go Ask Alice” (1973), “Pray for the Wildcats” (1974), "Dracula" with Jack Palance (1974), “Trilogy of Terror” (1975) and many more.

This one was directed by Dan Curtis, known for Dark Shadows and the first two Kolchak movies, the aforementioned “The Night Stalker” and the just-as-good sequel “The Night Strangler” (1973). It’s similar in tone to those movies, just without Kolchak (Darren McGavin), and is superior to “Moon of the Wolf,” another ABC Movie of the Week from two years prior. Actually, I think Peter Graves makes for a superior protagonist to the somewhat goofy McGavin and I could see this becoming a series, like Kolchak, wherein Wetherby (Graves) encounters and endeavors to solve mysterious phenomena each episode.

But what makes this flick so worthwhile is Clint Walker’s character, Byron. He’s a Zaroff-type (from “The Most Dangerous Game”) and Walker is perfect for the quiet, enigmatic loner who respects primal emotions, fair hunting, cunning and strength above all. Wetherby’s girlfriend (Pflug) naturally discerns Byron’s dark eccentricity, which he finds amusing in his thoroughly nonchalant way.

The film doesn’t overstay its welcome at a mere 1 hour, 14 minutes, and was shot at Universal City, California, and the nearby coast.

GRADE: B