Main Cast: Brendan Hughes, Bruce Payne, Michele Matheson, Sean Gregory Sullivan, Carol Lynley
Release Year: 1991
Country: US
Run Time: 102 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Part of a pointless string of sequels ostensibly based on the werewolf novels by Gary Brandner, this entry deserves credit for taking the creatively dead series in an interesting new direction. Set in the barren rural town of Canton Bluff, the story centers on the enigmatic figure of Ian (Brendan Hughes), a likeable but severely solitary drifter who takes a job making repairs to the local church. Eschewing human contact, Ian seems unnaturally leery of the impending full moon, a fear shared by a man named Harker (Bruce Payne), the owner of a sleazy traveling carnival. Aware that Ian is a genuine werewolf, Harker is able to blackmail the young man into working for his carnival, where he is put on display with other human oddities. To further complicate matters, Harker is revealed to have a monstrous secret of his own -- he's a vampire, who sees Ian's condition as a cover for preying on the blood of local folk. In a nod to Tod Browning's Freaks, Ian joins forces with the other carnival freaks to destroy their evil master. Director Hope Perello's taut, suspenseful debut makes clever references to classic horror films without lapsing into parody or imitation, and the production has a classy look and feel, helping to shrug off the unpleasant stigma normally associated with the otherwise mediocre Howling franchise. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Jered Barclay - Dewey; Gerry Black - Towny #2; Carlos Cervantes - Sheriff Fuller; Antonio Fargas - Bellamey; Ben Kronen - Hank; William Marquez - Towny #1; Randy Pelish - Pruitt; Deep Roy - Toones; Elizabeth She - Mary Lou; Jeremy West - Lester; Joe Gieb - Midget #2; Al White - Carny Worker; Christopher Morley - Carl/Carlotta
Credit
Peter A. McRae - Associate Producer, John C. Broderick - Co-producer, Hope Perello - Director, Adam Wolfe - Editor, Patrick Gleason - Composer (Music Score), Patrick Gleeson - Composer (Music Score), Richard Reams - Production Designer, Edward J. Pei - Cinematographer, Steve Lane - Producer, Robert Pringle - Producer, Edward Simons - Producer, Ronna Wallace - Producer, Rick Barker - Stunts, Kevin Rock - Screenwriter, Gary Brandner - Book Author
