the howling

By and large, werewolves always play second fiddle to vampires in movies. They’re not sexy (except maybe that Twilight guy with the abs), not seductive, can’t speak, and have serious self control issues. We’re talking about poor, tortured souls who have a lousy time each full moon then can’t even remember the good parts! That’s not the case in 1980’s The Howling, which features a communal wolf pack that can shapeshift at will…and have a great time doing it!

Director Joe Dante, who would go on to great success in the ‘80s thanks to the Steven Spielberg produced Gremilns, Innerspace and Twilight Zone: The Movie, really found his groove with this down and dirty werewolf tale that skillfully jabs the California hippie movement, pays homage to past film classics and adds a few classic scenes of its own into the cinematic lexicon. Scripted by the legendary John Sayles (who also has a bit part), the fact that the story isn’t hard to second guess doesn’t detract from its enjoyment one bit.

When TV anchorwoman Karen White (Dee Wallace) barely survives an attack by a serial killer, her psychologist (Patrick Macnee) recommends some R ‘n R at his country retreat…which just happens to be the refuge for a clan of werewolves trying to fit into today’s modern society. Some are more appreciative of their “gift” than others, and less willing to go along with the diet imposed on them by the doctor. “Humans are our cattle,” proclaims John Carradine, just one of many horror icons Dante crams into the proceedings (keep a sharp eye out for Roger Corman and Famous Monsters of Filmland publisher Forrest Ackerman, too).

The Howling bounces from nudge-nudge-wink-wink parody to straight-up horror with such aplomb it could easily stand as the best werewolf movie ever made – if not for John Landis’ American Werewolf in London, which did the same thing in the same year, even! Both films also features impressive transformation scenes that stop the movies dead in the tracks, with duties on The Howling performed by Rob Bottin (The Thing) who was recommended to producers by Rick Baker himself, who left to work on Landis’ film.

The Howling is a bit cartoony for some tastes, but that’s completely in keeping with Dante’s style. His acting ensemble is well above par for an independent horror movie, the musical score (by frequent De Palma collaborator Pino Donaggio) is wonderfully dramatic, and the northern California setting is a great substitute for the old Universal soundstages full of fake trees and phony fog. The Howling is a movie that embraces its roots…but isn’t afraid to branch out, either.

Scream Factory’s blu-ray is a long time coming for fans (like myself) who just new the movie could look better than it did on the previous MGM special edition DVD. There are a slew of new extras (interviews with producers, editors and screenwriter), old extras (commentary, outtakes, even stop-motion snippets from the old laserdisc pressing) and an extra commentary from novelist Gary Brander who wrote the original book. But there’s just nothing to compare with how much detail and color the new HD transfer adds to the experience. The Howling has never looked this good. Finally, someone has given werewolves a little respect!