Thanks to the Greek myths of people turning into werewolves after eating human flesh, the legends of such creatures have continued to scare, enlighten, and entertain the masses. Just like with any good beast, the movie industry has capitalized off of the imagination and supposed real life stories of coming in contact with hairy men that have an appetite for humans. This article presents facts and trivia regarding some of the most popular movies concentrated on the werewolf.
The Howling (1981)
Directed by Joe Dante, the Howling is one of the most popular werewolf movies in history. Although the approach of the film took on a black comedy feel, it nonetheless presented disturbing visual effects for the transformation of the beast. A TV reporter character played by Dee Wallace Stone (of Stephen King’s Cujo fame) discovers a local secret after she investigates the events taking place at a California psychiatric retreat. The special effects were pretty eye-catching, as the crew was able to create the transformations of the werewolves in real time.
Visually, it was the blend of fake heads, hidden air bladders, rubber limbs operated by mechanics and motors, and mini-hydraulics that added to the lifelike presentation of the creatures. Creative lighting also helped to boost the realistic transformations. As for the sound effects, the creaking of bones and snapping of tendons enhanced the overall experience.
After the original Howling was made, about five sequels followed , all directed by a different individual. For example, in 1987, Howling III with a marsupial creature as the main character was filmed in Australia with Philippe Mora.
The Howling is certainly a classic film centered on werewolves. A couple of facts and trivia include:
· The entire movie was filled with puns on the whole werewolf theme. For instance, in the scene where character Bill is reading a book in bed that is titled, “You Can’t Go Home Again” by Thomas Wolfe.
· The movie was shot in 28 days, not including the days set aside for re-shooting.
· Throughout the film, characters were named after movie directors that have filmed a movie about werewolves. This includes Erle C Kenton, Sam Newfield, Charles Barton, George Waggner, Roy William Neill, Terence Fisher, Freddie Francis, Lew Landers, and Jerry Warren.
In “Howling II: Stirba , Werewolf Bitch” (1985), we encounter Ben, the brother of one of the werewolf victims from the first movie. He is told that the world has werewolves all over and they are making plans to take over. At first, he is skeptical, but after listening to what werewolf hunter Stefan has to say, he agrees to join forces with a group of lycanthrope hunters in Transylvania for a mission to kill Stirba , the Queen of the Werewolves.
“Howling IV: The Original Nightmare” centers on an author that is sent to a town called Drakho after suffering a nervous breakdown. It is here that she becomes entangled in a mystery surrounding demons and werewolves. Ghosts start appearing to her. At first, she ignores the visions, but it doesn’t take long before she starts having her suspicions about the strangeness of the town and the past that it holds.