BLAST FROM THE PAST: An American Werewolf in London

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

KEEP OFF THE MOORS: American backpackers Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne) and David Kessler (David Naughton) are attacked by a werewolf in the English countryside, in the horror comedy classic, An American Werewolf in London, screening at the Palm Theatre on Oct. 27.

An American Werewolf in London

What’s it rated? R

When? 1981

Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre on Friday, Oct. 27 (9:15 p.m.)

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Five words: The dream within the dream. Absolutely shocked the heck out of me. If you’ve never seen it, what are you waiting for? If you have, you know how absolutely amazing it is—a masterpiece of horror comedy. I was just out of high school, still living with my parents, when I first saw it, and as I came home late that night, it was foggy and spooky, and I raced into the house! “Keep off the moors.”

Helmed by writer-director John Landis (National Lampoon’s Animal House, The Blues Brothers), the film boasts Academy Award-winning makeup effects by Rick Baker. Its lead, David Naughton, was best known at the time for a Dr. Pepper commercial. Here he plays American backpacker David Kessler, who with his friend Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne) find themselves on the moors of the English countryside during a full moon. The film’s title tells you everything you need to know about what happens.

Jenny Agutter stars as love interest Alex Price, a nurse who cares for David as he recovers. He’s haunted by his physically deteriorating wisecracking dead friend Jack, who encourages him to kill himself before the next full moon. I’ve probably seen it 20 times. Brilliant! (97 min.)

—Glen Starkey