The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 14, 1981, Page Page 8, Image 8
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Attack!
By DOUG BELL
Film Critic j
"An American Werewolf in London" is an off-beat horror j
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campus humor that made his "Animal House" so successful
(financially). It also contains moments of graphic, accentuated
violence. The combination is unsettling: like a
cannon randomly blasting during a waltz tune.
The film's center of attention is unwaverinelv David
_
Naughton, the cheerful lad who dances in Dr. Pepper commercials.
He brings that same bright buoyancy to
"American Werewolf," in which he plays the title role.
The plot is an opportunistic variation on the old werewolf
theme. Nauehtnn and a poIIpcp rhum (flriffin nnnnp^ nut
to see Europe ? on foot. Orte night as they roam on the
English moors, their trivial banter is suddenly and fatally
interrupted by a wolf: Dunne is killed and Naughton
critically injured.
While recovering in a London hospital, Naughton has
gruesome, violent dreams and even worse awakenings. The
mauled, progressively decaying ghost of Dunne visits him
regularly. Dunne flippantly explains his predicament: he
must remain one of the "Undead" until Naughton, who he
insists will become a werewolf on the next full moon, commits
suicide, thus lifting the curse. Because their scenes
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savagery and seriousness of the situation. !
Naughton gains two allies in the hospital ? a doctor (John
Woodvine) and nurse (Jenny Agutter). He strikes up an |
affair with the pretty Agutter and eventually moves in with
her.
The full moon arrives and, sure enough, Naughton undergoes
an excruciating metamorphosis ? a "tour de force"
of special effects and make up (designed by Rick Baker) that
leaves him four-legged and furry.
Though he wreaks terrible devastation on his periodic
prowls, Naughton cannot bring himself to commit suicide.
The abrupt, unsatifsying finale comes in Piccadilly Square
and proves that Beauty cannot save the Beast.
It's an uneven film. The fusion of humor and horror doesn't
totally succeed: it's jarring but not really disturbing. The
movie s Desi momenis are us more amusing ones, sucn as
Naughton's nude dash across London. But if you liked
"Animal House" and can stand brief glimpses of gore, " An
American Werewolf in London" will keep you entertained
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I Sept 14, 8:00pm
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