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The Howling (film)

The Howling
A woman screams from behind a sheet as a clawed hand rips through it.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoe Dante
Screenplay by
Based onThe Howling
by Gary Brandner
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJohn Hora
Edited by
Music byPino Donaggio
Production
companies
  • International Film Investors
  • Wescom Productions
Distributed byEmbassy Pictures
Release date
  • March 13, 1981 (1981-03-13) (United States)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$150,000[1] or $1.5–1.7 million[2]
Box office$17.9–20 million[1][3]

The Howling is a 1981 American horror film directed and edited by Joe Dante. Written by John Sayles and Terence H. Winkless, based on the novel of the same name by Gary Brandner, the film follows a news anchor who, following a traumatic encounter with a serial killer, visits a resort secretly inhabited by werewolves. The cast includes Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, Belinda Balaski, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens, and Elisabeth Brooks.

The Howling was released in the United States on March 13, 1981, and became a moderate success, grossing $17.9 million at the box office. It received generally positive reviews, with praise for the makeup special effects by Rob Bottin. The film won the 1980 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film and was one of the three high-profile werewolf-themed horror films released in 1981, alongside An American Werewolf in London and Wolfen.

Its financial success aided Dante's career, and prompted Warner Bros. to hire Dante and Michael Finnell as director and producer, respectively, for Gremlins (1984). A series consisting of seven sequels arose from the film's success. A remake is in development, with Andy Muschietti set to direct.

  1. ^ a b Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. UMI Research Press. p. 224.
  2. ^ Molyneaux, Gerry (2000). John Sayles. Renaissance Books. p. 96. ISBN 9781580631259.
  3. ^ The Howling at Box Office Mojo

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