An American Werewolf in London

“An American Werewolf in London” is a 1981 film written and directed by John Landis. Prior to the film’s release, Landis directed the blockbuster comedies, “Animal House” and “The Blues Brothers.” Although Landis had written the first draft of “Werewolf” in 1969, he had shelved it for over a decade because financiers were worried that it treaded the line too ambiguously between comedy and horror. Despite the financiers’ doubts, the film would go on to achieve blockbuster commercial success and cult status.

The film centers around David Kessler, an American student traveling in Europe, who gets bit by a werewolf in Northern England. He wakes up in a London hospital days later, where he befriends a nurse with whom he shares a brief affair. He stays at her flat for the next couple of days while she works the night shift, and when the full moon finally arrives, he transforms.

The film’s most memorable scene is undoubtedly the transformation. Michael Jackson would later cite this scene as to why he hired John Landis to direct his legendary “Thriller” music video. What makes this film’s werewolf transformation special is that it is explicitly shown on-screen, instead of merely suggesting it using a series of cuts. Using time-lapse photography and close-up shots of particular body-parts, Landis was able to show the hair rapidly growing on David’s back, his hands and feet elongating, and his face morphing into that of a wolf’s.

To me, what is most striking, are the sound effects of this scene. A relaxing rendition of “Blue Moon” plays in the background. Juxtaposed against sound effects of crunching bones and David’s constant screaming, Landis’ odd choice of music and its soothing quality make the transformation seem all the more realistic.

The werewolf transformation in “An American Werewolf in London” is undoubtedly groundbreaking and influential.

Museum of the Moving Image

The trip to the Museum of the Moving Image was both informative and entertaining. Short attendance made the museum tour small and intimate, and our tour guide was able to give us lots of personal attention. We initially began the tour in chronological order, learning about the history and science of early film. As the tour progressed, we were able to learn about the different elements that go into film and television.

The most enjoyable part of the tour came early for me, when we first learned the science behind early film development and techniques. As we were explained the phenomenon of visual persistence, when the brain remembers pictures and connects them, we were able to actually interact and play with objects in the exhibit. We played with a zoetrope, and learned that breaks in between images allow the viewer to see movement. Using that same concept, Gregory Barsamian's art installation, "Feral Fount," used intervals of darkness at 13 frames per second to show an upward spiral of objects to transform into different objects. A faucet dripping a drop of water changed into a bomb, that morphed into a paper airplane, which ultimately changed into a broken plate.

Chronicling the advancements made in moving image technology, we were able to see how innovations have helped mediamakers tell more coherent and realistic stories. Three-strip technicolor technology, which was used for films such as "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone with the Wind," was exhibited. Using three strips of film, in red, blue, and green, bright colors were used to tell stories and present different worlds in these movies.

The Museum of the Moving Image was enjoyable because one could interact with the many of its objects. The trip was an educational experience fundamental to the topics presented in class.