When a shy teenager's new-found powers help him score at basketball - and with the popular girls - he has some pretty hairy decisions to make.
Michael J. Fox
Scott Howard
James Hampton
Harold Howard
Susan Ursitti
Lisa 'Boof' Marconi
Jerry Levine
Rupert 'Stiles' Stilinski
Matt Adler
Lewis
Lorie Griffin
Pamela Wells
Jim McKrell
Vice Principal Rusty Thorne
Mark Arnold
Mick McAllister
Jay Tarses
Coach Bobby Finstock
Mark Holton
Chubby
Scott Paulin
Kirk Lolley
Elizabeth Gorcey
Tina
Melanie Manos
Dina
Doug Savant
Brad
Charles Zucker
Malcolm
Lynda Wiesmeier
Rhonda
Troy Evans
Dragon Basketball Coach
Harvey Vernon
Old Man Clerk
Clare Peck
Miss Hoyt
Gregory Itzin
English Teacher
Doris Hess
Science Teacher
Rodney Kageyama
Janitor
Carl Steven
Whistle Boy
Richard Brooks
Lemonade
Richard Domeier
Linebacker
Brian Sheehan
Cadet No. 5
Jay Footlik
Student
Richard Baker
Referee
Fred Nelson
Meechum Basketball Coach
Tanna Herr
The Beaver
Kris Hagerty
Fan
Mark L. Flowers
Dragon Bowler
Larry B. Daugherty
Basketball Player
Director
Rod Daniel
Screenplay
Jeph Loeb
Screenplay
Matthew Weisman
February 26, 2018
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RELEASED IN 1985 and directed by Rod Daniel, “Teen Wolf” stars Michael J. Fox as a teen in Beacontown, Nebraska, who works at his Dad’s shop in town (James Hampton), plays basketball for his lousy school team and enjoys a friendship with a neighborhood girl (Susan Ursitti) while desiring the popular blonde (Lorie Griffin). Complications result when he starts turning into a werewolf.
This was actually Fox’s first theatrical film, made BEFORE the mega-successful “Back to the Future” but released afterward. By comparison it’s a decidedly small movie, but enjoyable for what it is (an 80’s teen flick). The second act takes a turn that I wasn’t expecting. No spoilers, but the movie poster tells all.
I liked the closing moral: Don’t lose yourself in your special talent to the point that you lose your family/friends. If people just love you for your extraordinary gift are they truly your friends? A good real-life example is Bobby Knieval who became world famous as ‘Evel’ Knieval, the radical motorcycle daredevil: Family members said they “lost Bobby to Evel” and the negative repercussions of fame (e.g. booze, babes, bucks and pomposity). Thankfully, in his later years he realized this and tried to make amends.
Griffin has one notable scene as the “hottie” without falling into tasteless sleaze.
THE FILM RUNS 1 hour & 31 minutes and was shot entirely in Southern California: South Pasadena (neighborhood & town), Los Angeles (school), Montrose (bowling alley) & Tujunga (liquor store). The credits acknowledge “Friends in Fremont, Nebraska” because the director traveled there and spent 3 hours talking to seniors for research. WRITERS: Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman. ADDITIONAL CAST: Matt Adler plays the protagonist’s bud and Mark Arnold his rival. Jay Tarses plays the coach while James MacKrell appears as Mr. Thorne.
GRADE: B-
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$1,200,000.00
Revenue:
$80,000,000.00