FRIDAY NIGHT KNIFE FIGHTS: THE HOWLING (1981) vs. AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981)
PART 3 (Conclusion)
With Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Mark Onspaugh and Nick Cato
MICHAEL ARRUDA: Welcome back everyone to the third and final installment of our HOWLING vs. AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON debate. For the past two Fridays, our panel of Cinema Knife Fighters has been trying to determine which one of these werewolf classics is the better movie. I’m joined, as always, by L.L. Soares; and L.L., our bout between these two films has become somewhat lopsided, as AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF won the past couple of rounds and now leads THE HOWLING by a score of four rounds to one.
L.L. SOARES: I’m not surprised. While I like both movies a lot, I think we’re going to find that AMERICAN WEREWOLF is the better movie of the two.
MARK ONSPAUGH: Don’t count your werewolves before they transform! THE HOWLING is every bit as good as AMERICAN WEREWOLF and then some, and if you guys would listen to me, you’d understand why.
LS: Be quiet, you! We haven’t even introduced you yet!
MA: That’s right. L.L. and I are joined once again by Mark Onspaugh and Nick Cato. Thanks, guys, for being here on three successive Fridays. Having fun?
MO: Definitely.
NICK CATO: Always a pleasure to talk about these movies. And it’s a cheap date.
LS: What? No flowers? No beer?
MO: It’s been awesome, except my movie THE HOWLING hasn’t been doing that well in our debate.
MA: That’s okay. There’s still plenty of time left. On that note, let’s get back to the business at hand. It’s our final segment tonight, so before we go home this evening, one of these two movies will emerge as the winner.
On to Round 6.
The question is: Which film is scarier? Nick, let’s start off with you.
NC: I found THE HOWLING much scarier than AMERICAN WEREWOLF.
MO: Way to go, Nick!
NC: But then again AMERICAN WEREWOLF was a dark comedy of sorts, so I’m not sure how scary it was trying to be. But THE HOWLING is scarier.
LS: I didn’t really find either movie all that scary, but I guess THE HOWLING is the more visceral story. There’s a clear-cut representation of good and evil. In AMERICAN WEREWOLF, that line is more blurred, and the movie also balances out horror and humor extremely well.
I think THE HOWLING is more scary in a “meat and potatoes” way. AMERICAN WEREWOLF, however, is more satisfying over all, in my opinion. But I give this one to THE HOWLING.
MA: I’m with you in that I honestly don’t find either film all that scary, and to me, that’s a weakness of both movies. I’d call it a draw, here.
MO: THE HOWLING is definitely scarier. Even if some of the characters weren’t werewolves, they’re not people you’d want to be stranded in the woods with.
MA: That’s true.
Well, believe it or not, THE HOWLING won this Round as all three of you cited it as being the scarier film, and I called it a draw. Round 6 goes to THE HOWLING.
MO: Aaaawwwoooo!!! THE HOWLING is coming back!
MA: Yep, it has closed the gap somewhat, but AMERICAN WEREWOLF still leads 4-2.
On to Round 7.
Which film, if any, belongs in the same conversation as older classics like THE WOLF MAN (1941) and Hammer’s THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961)?
LS: Well, I think AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON definitely belongs in the same class as the older classics. It’s one of the best werewolf movies ever made. Even superior to something like CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1962).
MA: Whoa! Hold onto your wolfsbane!
Better than CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF? I don’t think so.
Oliver Reed in CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961), a great werewolf movie, but it really has nothing to do with this debate.
LS: Who asked you? And since when is CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF such a cinematic titan?
MA: Well, when ranking werewolf movies, I think it’s topped only by THE WOLF MAN.
LS: That’s the problem – you’re thinking again. As usual, you’re wrong. I like CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF, but both of the movies we’re discussing tonight are just as good, if not better.
MA: I disagree, but that being said, since AMERICAN WEREWOLF is a contemporary, updated tale with a devilish sense of humor, it is the more entertaining movie of the two, but I like the werewolf make-up on Oliver Reed so much more than the werewolf in AMERICAN WEREWOLF. It’s just the better werewolf movie.
LS: AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON blows CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF out of the water. Besides, what do you know? Has HAMMER FILMS ever made anything you didn’t like?
MA: I’m sure I could come up with one if I thought about it long enough.
MO: Hey guys, isn’t this a battle between AMERICAN WEREWOLF and THE HOWLING?
LS: Yeah, since when did this turn into a debate about CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF?? If you want me to tear apart what’s wrong with CURSE, just say the word, because it’s far from a perfect movie.
MA: That’ll be a debate for another night. Okay, let’s get back on topic.
LS (to MO): You really like THE HOWLING, don’t you?
MO: Yes!
LS: And I have to say, I don’t want to completely bash THE HOWLING. The truth is, I like it a lot, too. While I think AMERICAN WEREWOLF is better, I think THE HOWLING is still a classic of the werewolf genre and belongs in the same group with THE WOLF MAN, too, especially if Arruda is including CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF in that group. So I would say that both THE HOWLING and AMERICAN WEREWOLF fit the bill as genre classics.
YAAARGH!
MA: Well, regarding the two movies we’re discussing today, I strongly prefer AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF. However, I’m not sure I’d include it in the same conversation with THE WOLF MAN or CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF, which are my two favorite werewolf movies.
And I feel the same way about THE HOWLING.
The main reason? The weakest links of both these movies are the werewolves in them. Without decent werewolves in either movie, I can’t consider either one as a classic werewolf movie. I think AMERICAN WEREWOLF is a notch below THE WOLF MAN and THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF, and THE HOWLING is several notches below.
So, my answer is neither.
MO: I completely disagree with you.
Both films pioneered makeup effects, and both have a tragic protagonist. If you are having a conversation about important werewolf movies (as opposed to the dozens – it seems – HOWLING sequels or VAN HELSING) then you need to include both of these.
MA: I think our answers just cancelled each other out.
MO: You’re killing me, man!
NC: I’d include both, too.
MA: Well, I say neither, and the three of you say both. So Round 7 goes to both movies.
LS: Give them each a point!
MA: Okay, so now AMERICAN WEREWOLF leads THE HOWLING 5 to 3.
It’s time for the Final Round, when we ask: All things considered, which one is the better movie?
Now, remember, just like in real boxing, even though one fighter may be ahead on points, he can still be knocked out in the final round. So, there’s still hope for THE HOWLING.
MO: And how would that work exactly?
MA: In this round, we’re picking which one is the better movie, and so if we all picked THE HOWLING, that would be considered a knock-out. Mark, why don’t you get this final round started?
MO: Except for Baker’s awesome transformation, the make-up on the victims (including a terrific decapitation) and Griffin Dunne’s hilarious portrayal of undead best friend Jack, I have to give it to THE HOWLING. If the final werewolf in AMERICAN WEREWOLF had been better with more screen time—. Naw, I’m still going with THE HOWLING.
NC: Despite being a fan of horror comedies, I think THE HOWLING is the better werewolf film, as AMERICAN WEREWOLF is slowed down by a couple of non-wolf side-plots. So, like Mark here, I’m also picking THE HOWLING.
LS: I think AMERICAN WEREWOLF is the better movie, hands down. But THE HOWLING has a lot going for it, too. I think the two films make a great double-feature.
MA: No surprise here, I’m going with AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. It has the better script, the more memorable characters, and I like its story much better than the one told in THE HOWLING. Both movies attempt to update the werewolf story to modern times, and both succeed, although AMERICAN WEREWOLF succeeds more.
Had AMERICAN WEREWOLF been able to include a scary, ferocious, and realistic looking werewolf in its movie, it would be one of my all-time favorite werewolf films. I love everything about it except for the actual werewolf.
LS: Yeah, I gotta agree that the final werewolf is a letdown.
MA: So, our Final Round is a draw, as Mark and Nick chose THE HOWLING, while L.L. and I chose AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. So each one gets another point.
That means that our final tally is AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON - 6 and THE HOWLING – 4.
Which means the winner of tonight’s FRIDAY NIGHT KNIFE FIGHT is AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON.
AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON wins! Hurray!
LS: As it should be. It’s the better movie.
MO: Nope. It’s THE HOWLING, but I’ll concede that AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF OF LONDON is very good, and I can see why you guys chose it. You’re just wrong. (laughs).
MA: Well, before we come to blows here, it’s time to say so long, because we’re out of time. So for the final time tonight, thanks guys!
NC: You’re welcome.
MO: Any time.
LS: Any place! Especially if it has a bar!
MA: I’m Michael Arruda, and on behalf of L.L. Soares, Mark Onspaugh, Nick Cato and myself, thank you all for joining us, and we look forward to seeing you next time on FRIDAY NIGHT KNIFE FIGHTS!
Good night everybody!
—END—
© Copyright 2012 by Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Mark Onspaugh and Nick Cato
