The Howling
1981
Not currently streaming on CaSTV
Synopsis
After a bizarre and near fatal encounter with a serial killer, a newswoman is sent to a rehabilitation center whose inhabitants may not be what they seem.
Key facts
Cast
John Carradine, Dennis Dugan, Patrick Macnee, Christopher Stone, Dee Wallace, Belinda Balaski, Kevin McCarthy, Slim Pickens
Original language
English
First release
January 21, 1981 (Finland)
Production companies
AVCO EMBASSY PICTURES CORPORATION, International Film Investors
Home video distributors
20th Century Fox Video (United States), Embassy Home Entertainment (United States), Nelson Entertainment (United States), Constantin Video (Germany), MGM Home Entertainment (Canada)
Based on
The Howling
Setting
Los Angeles
Crew
Screenplay
John Sayles, Terence H. Winkless
Producer
Jack Conrad, Michael Finnell
Cinematography
John Hora
Editing
Joe Dante, Mark Goldblatt
Music
Pino Donaggio
Special makeup effects
Greg Cannom, Joe Beserra, Margaret Prentice, Rick Baker
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- Popcorn Frights Film Festival 2025 - Features
- Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival 2022 generic
- Nightmares Film Festival 2021 generic - 4K restoration; 40th anniversary screening
- Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival 2021 generic
- Fantasia International Film Festival 2018
- Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival 2009
- Locarno International Film Festival 1999 generic
Titles
| Original title | The Howling | English |
| Québec French title | Hurlements | |
| VHS home video title | Das Tier |
VHS & home video releases
| VHS | 20th Century Fox Video (cat. no. 4075) | 1982, United States, fox box |
| VHS | Embassy Home Entertainment (cat. no. 1615) | 1983, United States, slipcase |
| VHS | Nelson Entertainment (cat. no. 1615) | 1984, United States, slipcase |
| VHS | Constantin Video (cat. no. 6031 -3) | 1997, Germany, clamshell |
| VHS | MGM Home Entertainment (cat. no. 1000813) | 2000, Canada, slipcase |
Soundtracks
| Vinyl LP | The Howling (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Pino Donaggio (1981) | 5 releases, 1981-2016: JVC, Varèse Sarabande, Victor, Waxwork Records |
| CD | The Howling (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Pino Donaggio (1981) | 1 release, 2005: La-La Land Records |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | Finland | January 21, 1981 |
| Theatrical | France | January 21, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | January 21, 1981 |
| Theatrical | United States | March 13, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Denmark | April 20, 1981 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | May 14, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Spain | June 22, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Germany | July 30, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Portugal | October 15, 1981 |
| Streaming | France | May 11, 2010 |
| Theatrical | France | October 31, 2021 |
| Theatrical | France | December 15, 2021 |
| Classification | Germany | 16 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | 18 |
| Classification | United States | R |
Versions & editions
| Original version (English) | ||
| Home video VHS | United States | 1982 4075 |
| Home video | United States | February 17, 1982 |
| Home video VHS | United States | 1983 1615 |
| Home video VHS | United States | 1984 1615 |
| Home video VHS | Germany | 1997 6031 -3 |
| Home video | France | June 9, 1999 |
| Home video VHS | Canada | 2000 1000813 |
| Home video | United States | August 28, 2001 |
| Home video | France | October 25, 2004 |
| Home video | France | May 11, 2010 |
| Home video | United States | June 18, 2013 |
| Home video | United Kingdom | October 25, 2021 |
| Home video | France | October 27, 2021 |
| Home video | United States | February 15, 2022 |
Full credits
| Director | Joe Dante |
| Cast | John Carradine, Dennis Dugan, Patrick Macnee, Christopher Stone (R. William 'Bill' Neill), Dee Wallace, Belinda Balaski (Terry Fisher), Kevin McCarthy (Fred Francis), Slim Pickens (Sam Newfield), Elisabeth Brooks (Marsha Quist), Robert Picardo (Eddie Quist), Margie Impert (Donna), Noble Willingham (Charlie Barton), James Murtaugh (Jerry Warren), Jim McKrell (Lew Landers), Meshach Taylor (Shantz), Robert A. Burns (Porn Store Patron / Porn Store Patron (uncredited)), Kenneth Tobey (Older Cop), Dick Miller (Walter Paisley - Bookstore Owner), Don McLeod (T.C. Quist), Bill Sorrells (Kline), Ivan Saric (Jack Molina), Steve Nevil (Young Cop), Sarina C. Grant (Hooker), Wendell Wright (Man at Bar), Herbie Braha (Porno Cashier), Joe Bratcher (Radio Man), Chico Martínez (Man on Street), Daniel Nunez (Liquor Cashier), Michael O'Dwyer (Drunk), Roger Corman (Man in Phone Booth (uncredited)), John Sayles (Morgue Attendant (uncredited)), Jonathan Kaplan (Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)), Forrest J. Ackerman (Bookstore Customer (uncredited)), Michael Chapman (Man at End of Bar (uncredited)), Mick Garris (Man with TV Guide (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | John Sayles, Terence H. Winkless |
| Producer | Jack Conrad, Michael Finnell |
| Executive producer | Daniel H. Blatt, Steven A. Lane |
| Cinematography | John Hora |
| Editing | Joe Dante, Mark Goldblatt |
| Music | Pino Donaggio |
| Special makeup effects | Greg Cannom, Joe Beserra, Margaret Prentice, Rick Baker |
| Visual effects | Roger George |
| Costumes | Jack Buehler |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
