Cry Wolf (1980) User Reviews

A Comedy of Transformations

[Wearysloth · 14 April 2003]

In this odd mix of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde and The Wolfman, Dr. Jack Russell accidentally takes his own potion and after the customary thrashing about on the floor becomes a werewolf...well not exactly a werewolf, his name should give you the clue.

This short film is the UK's answer to Young Frankenstein, it is a loving recreation of 40's horror movies, with perfect casting, acting and especially beautiful cinematography by veteran Robert Krasker. Alas where the film slips up is that it is simply not funny, even if it does predate Rob Schneider's The Animal for its punch-line. One of the better UK cinema Short Subjects nevertheless.

Appreciative audience.

[keithmp · 8/10 · 1 December 2007]

I saw this film, presumably in 1980, at the British seaside resort of Great Yarmouth, whilst on an idyllic camping holiday based at Lowestoft. What attracted me (and my lady friend at the time) to the cinema was not this magical little short but the fact that it was showing with the current screwball hit comedy, Airplane. I had no knowledge of Cry Wolf at all. The cinema was just about full to capacity, and on came the short B film. The cast is made up of lots of familiar names to British film and TV fans, but nothing could have prepared me for this little treat. The script is deliberately (I assume) as corny as possible with lots of obvious and overplayed comical nods to the old Universal horror classics, - and it's in traditional black and white. This is one weird short, great fun, and I'd love to see it again. One more thing, when the film finished, the audience burst out in spontaneous, loud applause!

Features my car as an 'extra'

[pfcoleman · 8/10 · 9 September 2016]

I saw this film once only, when it was showing as a 'B' film with 'Airplane' in 1980. I was especially interested in seeing it because it features my car, a 1952 Austin A40 Somerset. The location director saw the car parked when he was was arranging to use the building opposite my home for the film (St Benedict's Junior School) The bu ilding had an interesting front entrance with a rather grand set of steps and he saw my car parked in the road outside and hired it from me for £50 cash. I was interested to watch the section of film featuring my car being shot as the car was driven repeatedly during the course of whole morning. It was driven from the gates of the school and up to the steps of the house where it stopped abruptly and one of the cast got out quickly and ran up the steps to the front door. When I saw the film I was surprised that this scene appeared in the opening seconds of the film and equally surprised that it was set at night time and lasted only half a second! I would be fascinated to know if this 1980 'Ealing/Isle of Dogs' film still exists as it is definitely worth - for me at least - seeing a second time!

Has Anyone Seen this Movie Since 1980

[mdalziel-64820 · 10/10 · 14 September 2020]

Really keen to find a copy (if one exists!). Anyone have any ideas if it is able to be purchased and/or streamed?

Features my car as an 'extra'

[pfcoleman · 8/10 · 29 August 2016]

I saw this film once only, when it was showing as a 'B' film with 'Airplane' in 1980. I was especially interested in seeing it because it features my car, a 1952 Austin A40 Somerset. The location director saw the car parked when he was was arranging to use the building opposite my home for the film (St Benedict's Junior School) The school has an Edwardian front entrance with a rather grand set of steps and he saw my car parked in the road outside and hired it from me for £50 cash.

I was interested to watch the section of film featuring my car being shot with the car driven repeatedly during the course of whole morning from the gates of the school and up to the steps of the house where it stopped abruptly and one of the cast jumped out and rushed up the steps to the front door.

When I saw the film I was surprised that this scene appeared in the opening seconds of the film and equally surprised that it was set at night time and lasted for only half a second! I would be fascinated to know if this 1980 'Ealing/Isle of Dogs' film still exists as it is definitely worth - for me at least - seeing a second time!