History Film / IWasATeenageWerewolf

* JerkAss: Tony again.

The film was both a financial and critical success when it was first released. It was also innovative in that while 'man turns into werewolf/vampire/whatever' movies were common, this was the first that had it happen to an adolescent. Creator/MichaelLandon's acting especially was praised by critics for being believable and sympathetic ([[JerkAss well, believable, anyhow]]), and helped make this his StarMakingRole, as he would go on to star on ''{{Series/Bonanza}}'' about two years later. Face it: you ''owe'' it to yourself to see Little Joe Cartwright/[[Series/LittleHouseOnThePrairie Mr. Ingalls]]/[[Series/HighwayToHeaven Johnathan Smith]] chucking a bottle of milk at the wall and pounding on his annoying classmate.

Tony has a problem: he's a bitter, abusive, [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers dairy-tossing]] asshole. His girlfriend Arlene has an even bigger problem: she's [[LoveMartyr slavishly devoted to him]], for unknown (but probably daddy-issues related) reasons. After he wails on yet another one of his irritating friends, Arlene finally gets Tony to visit a therapist and seek help. Too bad for him, he happens upon one of those "mad scientist" type psychiatrists who has big plans for violent and stupid Tony; he's going to make him even ''more'' violent and stupid. Yes, the crazy doc hypnotizes Tony into becoming a werewolf. Turns out lycanthropy is a placebo; who knew?

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: The detective played by Barney Phillips doesn't have much luck convincing Tony that he's on Tony's side and wants to help him.

Tony has a problem: he's a bitter, abusive, [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers dairy-tossing]] asshole. His girlfriend Arlene has an even bigger problem: she's [[LoveMartyr slavishly devoted to him]], for unknown (but probably daddy-issues related) reasons. After he whales on yet another one of his friends, Arlene finally gets Tony to visit a therapist and seek help. Too bad for him, he happens upon one of those "mad scientist" type psychiatrists who has big plans for violent and stupid Tony; he's going to make him even ''more'' violent and stupid. Yes, the crazy doc hypnotizes Tony into becoming a werewolf. Turns out lycanthropy is a placebo; who knew?

* CoolPet: The German Shepherd in the film. Not backing down from a fully transformed werewolf and even attacking him head-on is pretty cool indeed.

* SpiritualSuccessor: ''Film/TeenWolf'' is part this, part remake.

* TorchesAndPitchforks

* BittersweetEnding[=/=]DownerEnding: Tony dies, but he kills the evil doctor and destroys all traces of his experiment data and werewolf-making chemicals beforehand.

* TotallyRadical: Subverted. Being "bugged" by something is apparently "jive talk".

The film was both a financial and critical success when it was first released. It was also innovative in that while 'man turns into werewolf/vampire/whatever' movies were common, this was the first that had it happen to an adolescent. Creator/MichaelLandon's acting especially was praised by critics for being believable and sympathetic ([[JerkAss well, believable, anyhow]]), and helped make this his StarMakingRole, as he would go on to star on ''{{Series/Bonanza}}'' about two years later. Face it: you ''owe'' it to yourself to see [[Series/LittleHouseOnThePrairie Mr. Ingalls]]/[[Series/HighwayToHeaven Johnathan Smith]] chucking a bottle of milk at the wall and pounding on his annoying classmate.

!!This film contains examples of:

* ImprobableWeaponUser: Some men favor a gun, others a knife or maybe a sword. But Tony? He's a master of projectile dairy products! Piss him off and you might catch a carton of half-and-half right in the gob. It's not quite as absurd as it sounds; this came out when milk came in glass containers. Which becomes HilariousInHindsight when you think about ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2''. The Scout has his Mad Milk, which he throws. Possible reference?

The film was both a financial and critical success when it was first released. It was also innovative in that while 'man turns into werewolf/vampire/whatever' movies were common, this was the first that had it happen to an adolescent. Michael Landon's acting especially was praised by critics for being believable and sympathetic ([[JerkAss well, believable, anyhow]]). This was the breakout role for Creator/MichaelLandon, who would go on to star in ''{{Series/Bonanza}}'' about two years later. Face it: you ''owe'' it to yourself to see [[Series/LittleHouseOnThePrairie Mr. Ingalls]]/[[Series/HighwayToHeaven Johnathan Smith]] chucking a bottle of milk at the wall and pounding on his annoying classmate.

The film was both a financial and critical success when it was first released. It was also innovative in that while 'man turns into werewolf/vampire/whatever' movies were common, this was the first that had it happen to an adolescent. Michael Landon's acting especially was praised by critics for being believable and sympathetic ([[JerkAss well, believable, anyhow]]). This was the breakout role for Creator/MichaelLandon, who would go on to star in ''{{Series/Bonanza}}'' about two years later. Face it: you ''owe'' it to yourself to see [[Series/LittleHouseOnThePrairie Mr. Ingalls]] chucking a bottle of milk at the wall and pounding on his annoying classmate.

* BadassBystander: The German Shepherd who attacks Tony when he's a werewolf. Though he doesn't win, the dog lasts longer than just about any other human character against the werewolf in a straight up fight.

The film was both a financial and critical success when it was first released. It was also innovative in that while 'man turns into werewolf/vampire/whatever' movies were common, this was the first that had it happen to an adolescent. Michael Landon's acting especially was praised by critics for being believable and sympathetic ([[JerkAss well, believable, anyhow]]). This was the breakout role for Michael Landon, who would go on to star in ''{{Series/Bonanza}}'' about two years later. Face it: you ''owe'' it to yourself to see [[Series/LittleHouseOnThePrairie Mr. Ingalls]] chucking a bottle of milk at the wall and pounding on his annoying classmate.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, the [[TheJoyOfX oft-parodied]] "I Was a Teenage so-and-so" stock horror title originated with this movie.