I Was a Teenage Werewolf is a B-level cheapie that can most easily be summed up as a cross between
The Wolf Man and
Rebel Without a Cause.
Michael Landon stars as Tony, a hot-headed teenager whose lightning-quick temper has led to social troubles and created concern from his father, his girlfriend Arlene (Yvonne Lime), and local lawman Detective Donovan (Barney Phillips). After belting his buddy Vic (Ken Miller) for no reason, Tony agrees to see Dr. Brandon (
Whit Bissell), a psychologist who uses hypnosis to help his patients. In reality, Brandon is a mad scientist who has designs on regressing Tony to his most primal state using drugs and hypnosis. Not long after Tony's first session, a teen is killed by what the police believe is some kind of animal, but when Tony transforms in front of Arlene at their school, the truth comes to light: Tony is a werewolf. With the townsfolk paralyzed by fear, the police organize a manhunt, which the werewolf manages to evade. After returning to his human state, Tony heads back to the treacherous Dr. Brandon. The shrink's desire to witness Tony in his primal "werewolf" condition goes awry when the frothing Tony goes mad, leading to a violent conclusion. ~ Patrick Legare, All Movie Guide