Anthology inaugurates an ongoing series called FROM THE PEN OF… to spotlight that brutally neglected figure most often forgotten in the filmmaking process, namely the screenwriter. Famously devalued by cinephiles more prone to celebrating auteurs and actors, screenwriters are rarely honored with the likes of critical studies or repertory retrospectives.
While a few classic Hollywood scribes continue to earn attention (Ben Hecht, Preston Sturges, Dalton Trumbo, etc.), most have never received their fair share of credit or acknowledgment. This is particularly true of screenwriters who emerged hot on the heels of the demise of the studio system in the 1960s. While audiences may associate the works they penned more closely with particular directors, a closer study reveals that the sensibility and ingenuity of particular screenwriters shines through in each of these films.
The Howling (1981)
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Theatrical release poster
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Screenplay by John Sayles and Terence H. Winkless, based on a novel by Gary Brandner.
With Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, and Slim Pickens.
A popular Los Angeles TV reporter is given doctor’s orders to visit a remote consciousness-raising retreat called ‘The Colony’ after a traumatic incident with a serial killer. The bizarre behavior of the residents begins to make sense once the reporter discovers that she is staying amidst a community of werewolves!
The Howling is not only a great werewolf movie, but also a witty and knowing commentary on the genre itself. The film is as full of impressive werewolf transformation scenes as of social satire, which is no surprise given that the special effects were done by Rob Bottin (“The Thing”) and the strong screenplay was written by John Sayles.”
The Howling digs deep into the “wolf” aspect of the werewolf angle, particularly in regard to packs, and imagines an entire community where everyone is a werewolf.
It takes the already horrific premise laid out in films like The Stepford Wives, where an ideal community is not what it seems, and throws a terrifying movie monster into it. Combining that with a suspenseful serial killer at the beginning makes the movie all the more frightening.
The werewolf design itself: The massive bipedal creature towers over everyone, and it clearly separates it from a normal wolf. Nobody would mistake this creature for just a normal wolf.
While The Howling sequels failed to live up to the first film’s genius premise, the first film still stands as one of the greatest werewolf movies ever made.
Cast Belinda Balaski, Christopher Stone, Dee Wallace, John Carradine, Patrick Macnee, Kevin Mccarthy, Dennis Duga
Directed by Joe Dante
Screenplay by John Sayles Terence H. Winkless, based on The Howling by Gary Brandner
Produced by Michael Finnell, Jack Conrad
Cinematography John Hora
Edited by Mark Goldblatt, Joe Dante
Music by Pino Donaggio
Production companies: International Film Investors
Wescom Productions
Distributed by Embassy Pictures
Release date: March 13, 1981 (US)
Running time: 91 minutes
Budget $1.5 million
Box office $17.9 million
