Ep. 08-28: Werewolf of London (1935) & An American Werewolf in London (1981)

WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935)—Botanist Dr. Glendon travels to Tibet in search of a rare plant, only to be bitten by a mysterious creature. Returning to England, he discovers that the bite has cursed him: under the full moon, he transforms into a savage werewolf. Blending gothic horror with early werewolf mythology, the film explores the struggle between man’s civilized self and the beast within.

AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981)—Two American backpackers are attacked by a werewolf while traveling in the English countryside. One is killed, and the other, David, survives—but finds himself slowly transforming into a werewolf himself. Combining shocking gore, dark comedy, and groundbreaking special effects, John Landis’s film is both a chilling horror story and a tragic exploration of fate, isolation, and the uncontrollable power of the beast within.

This week, Johnny Has the Keys takes a bite out of cinematic lycanthropy with Werewolf of London and An American Werewolf in London. Join us as we compare the early gothic atmosphere and suspenseful horror of the 1935 classic with the visceral effects, dark humor, and modern sensibilities of the 1981 reinterpretation. We’ll discuss transformations, makeup, storytelling, and the evolution of the werewolf on screen—from chilling folklore to unforgettable horror-comedy. Beware the full moon—it’s coming.

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