| | | | The Howling
(1980) |
he Howling, despite its low price tag, delivers far more than ten dollars worth of horror-flick.
Since this film came out in 1980, the year I was born, I never had the opportunity to watch it until probably 1988.
Even so, I do remember two things about the first time I watched it. The first is how scary I thought that one particular sentence in the description was: "Don't even try to run away, because by the time you hear "the howling" ...it's already too late!"
And the second... Wishing I hadn't decided to watch it at night!
But the description did what it was supposed to, it made you feel like a deer caught off guard by a predator, and given the importance of hooking a potential buyer with the first sentence or two, it's a good thing they got it right.
The movie, for the most part, centers around Karen White, a newscaster who has a very close call with a killer in a 'adult' shop. (Sounds strange so far, huh?)
The traumatic experience leaves her frazzled and shaken and, unable to pull herself together, she decides to go to "The Colony" to recover.
But what she does not know is that, rather that retreating to a safe place to rest, she is plunging right back into a far more dangerous situation.
Now, I must mention that there are attempts at humor in this film. Some are acceptable, some aren't that great, but you must understand that humor in horror is often a very necessary addition. It helps maintain a balance and provides relief so you can keep a more objective viewpoint about the film.
As you will see in the movie, there is a common thread between Karen's attacker and "The Colony", and some people theorize that the attacker is actually a designated person/wolf used to lure people to the colony, and that is why she escaped him. Personally I think that its possible and an interesting idea used by the author, but you judge for yourself.
At a big turning point in the movie, Karen hears strange noises in the surrounding forest and, of course, tries to investigate...BIG mistake! This is what ultimately leads to the "heart" of the movie, but just in case you haven't seen it, I won't go into detail.
Well, that just about wraps up my "review", but just remember... Don't ever accept an invitation from strange people that live in a spooky forest to come and stay with them!
 Don't forget that The Howling is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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My overall judgement for this movie is that it is very good, definitely worth the 9-10 dollars for a dvd copy. It gathers and constructs the elements of a horror film very well, and develops into a memorable, unique, and scary ending.
The special effects are superb for a movie made 22 years ago! Also, the performance by the fairly attractive soon-to-be "Mom in E.T." was very believable.
You have to remind yourself that it is not fair to judge a movie by current standards, you should attempt to compare it to other films of the same era and get an idea of how it stacks up to them.
For 1980, this films is fantastic. Definitely in the realm of must-see, but maybe not in the realm of must-own. However, it's good points outweigh it's bad, but the bad points are sometimes more noticeable in films that are 20 or so years old.
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Dante, who graduated from Roger Corman's school of low-budget ingenuity, used Gary Brandner's novel, The Howling, as a foundation and made use of the Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager, as Eddie, creating what is still considered a genre milestone. 
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When the credits draw to an end, there is a small sequence from "The Wolfman."
Dick Miller cameos as Walter Paisley, the bookstore owner. Not only did Miller cameo in many a Dante movie, (including Gremlins and its sequel), as Dante considers him a lucky charm, but he played characters called Walter Paisley in Chopping Mall (1986), Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), Hollywood Boulevard (1976) and for the first time, in Roger Corman's A Bucket of Blood (1959). -Thanks to John Paul Green
There were at least 10 characters in the movie that were actually named after directors of other werewolf movies.
CAMEOS: John Sayles- as the morgue attendant; Roger Corman - (notorious penny-pincher, made fun of); J. Ackerman - "Forrest".
Dee Wallace (Karen White) and Chris Stone (R. William Neill) were actually husband and wife, sadly, Chris Stone passed away due to a heart attack in October, 1995. -Thanks to Greg
Actually released 1st of January, 1981.
Joe Dante also directed "Piranha" and "Gremlins.
Dennis Dugan the actor that plays chris in 'The Howling' is the director of the movies, "The Benchwarmers", "Big Daddy", "Happy Gilmore", "I now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry", and the new Adam Sandler film "You don't mess with the Zohan". He often plays small cameos in his own films!
Slim Pickins is an accomplished rodeo rider and has appeared in films like Blazzing Saddles and 1941. -Thanks to M N
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Find much more great trivia in the filmmaker's commentary on the Howling DVD.
Rediscover your favorites! If you like
The Howling or 80's Horror classics, then be sure to
check out this list: ..... Lost Boys ..... Near Dark ..... Fright Night ..... Hellraiser ..... Shining ..... Poltergeist ..... Scanners ..... American Werewolf In London ..... Night of the Creeps ..... Nightmare on Elm Street ..... Paperhouse ..... One Dark Night ..... Re-Animator ..... Prom Night ..... Mausoleum ..... Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama .....[More]
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The p*rno that Karen goes to see when meeting Eddie, was shot especially for this movie by Joe Dante in his own garage. -Thanks to Dave Williamson
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|  |  |  | | The Howling
Locations |
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The campfire scene when they first arrive at "The Colony" was filmed at Paradise Cove next to Zuma Beach in Malibu, Ca. [Thanks to Jeff]
Can you help? Do you know any of the filming locations used for The Howling? [Please send them in]
|  | | | | ![[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]](16_9.gif) | ![[5.1 CH SURROUND]](dd5.gif) | Trailer, Commentary, Featurette, OutTakes |
| Our
Comments: Special edition DVD |
| | | | Trailer, Featurette, OutTakes |
| Our
Comments: Special Edition DVD |
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The score was written by Pino Donaggio, who also scored such 80's classics as "Body Double" and "Black Cat". The soundtrack was released on the Varese Sarabande label. [Thanks to Chad Wichterman]
Chris Carney and the 'The Round Oak String Band' supplied the 'Howling Chicken' and 'The Rocky Mountain Waltz' incidental music. We have been informed that he has found the original tape with more tunes on it, and is in the process of re-mastering it for a CD release, anyone interested are advised to contact us [Thanks to Howard]
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Click here to add new music trivia for Howling
Soundtrack Available:
Used Vinyl LP / Tape
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Year:
| 1980 | Studio:
| MGM | Director:
| Joe Dante | Starring:
| Dee Wallace Stone,
Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, Belinda Balaski,
Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens | | - | - | Genre:
| Horror | | | | + | Good special effects, atmospheric title, eerie settings, and an interesting storyline. | - | Some fairly obvious weaknesses, for example the screams in the night sound like an audio "loop", and the makeup for certain werewolves makes them look silly/funny, NOT scary. |
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The best links we've found for The Howling.
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Wow! Very well done site, this person must really like the film, has intro, possibly flash.
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Pretty darn good, lots of text, some good pics, and the transformation video! | | |
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Updated:
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