Nick Groff Investigates… Werewolves!

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Nick Groff is one of the most respected names in television and beyond when it comes to the paranormal. He has had incredible experiences in some of the most haunted locations in the world. As a friend to Arrow in the Head, we’ve shared some very exciting experiences with Nick including a couple of wild and spooky moments that we’ve managed to capture on camera. Thus, we’ve decided to work with the television host and producer extraordinaire so he can share his knowledge and insight on all things that go bump in the night. With this bi-monthly column, we plan to delve into everything from urban legends to ghostly apparitions, to his take on some of the coolest genre flicks ever. This is Nick Groff Investigates…!

WEREWOLVES!

Horror has its share of monsters. You can party all night with vampires. Perhaps you’d rather go for a swim in the Black Lagoon, or even in the ocean near Amity Island. And if you happen to be in Egypt, you could always “wrap” with a mummy or two. Yet one of my own favorite ferocious frights that genre has presented only come out when the moon is full – generally speaking of course. And it all started for this viewer with the one-two punch of a couple of my favorite scary movies, and both came out the same year.

In 1981, two fantastic tales explored the nature between man and beast. Both THE HOWLING and AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON proved that comedy/horror, smarts and amazing special effects could make you afraid of the glowing moon, or if you are London, convince you to stay off the Moors. Even still, these two magnificent films remain prime examples of how to do a monster movie right. Each offers up a compelling story and script, terrific performances and impressive direction. And boy those practical effects are still pretty damn glorious today.

The idea of a man turning into a wolf didn’t start there. Not even close. These stories started well before Hollywood made Lon Cheney Jr. a legend in the 1941 feature THE WOLF MAN. As well, this classic story has been explored in a number of exciting ways including everything from the UNDERWORLD series, to Neil Marshall’s impressive DOG SOLDIERS to the underrated Eric Red flick BAD MOON featuring Michael Pare and Mariel Hemingway. And that’s only a few of the many iterations of bad old beasties hunting down their human prey.

With the upcoming sequel, THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT, there was some speculation that we’d hear more about Ed and Lorraine Warren’s investigation of the "Southend Werewolf." This very subject was hinted at in the thoroughly entertaining ANNABELLE COMES HOME. However, it’s highly unlikely that Satan will be conjuring up a wolf man for the third chapter in the franchise.

Yet this had me thinking about the myth and legends behind a man transforming into a wolf. With the hint of  werewolves among us, and supernatural scares, it felt like the perfect topic to explore on this weeks Nick Groff Investigates. Before we started, Nick and I had a quick chat about the subject, and I became curious about his take on not only the many movies made about them, but the history of the lycanthrope. So let’s spin that excellent Warren Zevon tune “Werewolves of London” and get ready to take a bite out of the history of the wolf man.

Here’s what Nick had to say about this very subject. And as always, please share with us your favorite werewolf flicks and stories in the comments below. This is definitely a howlingly fun topic!

“As a movie fanatic and an explorer of the unknown, I am always looking for the next thrill to experience. Werewolves have always fascinated me. I love a good film based on a plot revolving around a werewolf. Some films that come to mind are “An American Werewolf in London”, “Silver Bullet”, “The Howling” “Dog Soldiers”, “Ginger Snaps”, “Bad Moon”, “Teen Wolf”, “An American Werewolf in Paris”, “Wolf” and “The Werewolf”. Yes, I love all these films for certain reasons, and not in any order, yet my go to always has been “An American Werewolf in London”.There’s something fun about it but also frightening at the same time.

Traveling to different locations all over the world has led me to learn more about creatures within the unknown that could’ve existed a long time ago, or still remain hidden within the shadows of our reality. Although movies are an escape from our everyday life, the scary part is they are depicted from some story that started a long time ago. People will always be interested in the werewolf subject because the idea of a half man, half beast is a fascination to most because they are looking for something frightening. Just like anything else in the supernatural where death isn’t the end, when you become a werewolf it’s the beginning of a new life.

There are also true tales of unidentified half man and half beasts, including The Werewolf of Southend, which Ed and Lorainne Warren were involved in. These stories and eye witness accounts start somewhere and evolve over time. I believe we live in a world that is vast and we don’t have all the answers into the unknown. Even though we personally can’t see these supernatural beasts, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. The Werewolf of Southend case was interesting but I would like to learn more about the conclusion and evidence to back it up.

I have personally experienced weird creatures and have been surrounded in the dark forest at the Hinsdale house by coyotes and other Cryptids. I only can talk about what I’ve experienced through my journey so I am open to the possibility of other interesting creatures that hide in the darkness. Human beings have labeled werewolves as different names throughout the time that we have walked this earth. I know someday I will cross paths at a location that will hold some of these answers that I still question, and will wait for that next experience that opens my mind up even more.

Watch one of these films that I have listed and research more information about werewolves to see what you think. Explore the unknown and be aware of your surroundings as you walk through this bizarre world. Enjoy the journey.”