HAPPY HALLOWE'EN, EVERYBODY !!!!!!!
Well, Boils & Ghouls... the BIG DAY has arrived !! Yes, October 31st is here at last and FINALLY we can REALLY get into the spirit of things (ahem!) and celebrate HALLOWE'EN in fine style !! Of course, this also means that the Countdown To Hallowe'en 2017 is now over, and this will be the last post in the month-long blogathon that gave you "Awesome Horror Streams for Hallowe'en On Roku"!
If you read my Hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - published on 30th September, then you will know that I've been posting one Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, each featuring one horror movie from the current 'Shudder UK' content library. With recommendations for thirty-one of the best fright flicks I could find, this means you should now have plenty of great choices for your macabre movie viewing while you celebrate Hallowe'en tonight as well as providing some top-notch cinematic scares to enjoy over the coming weeks and months! ;-)
Stay on the Road. Keep clear of the moors. Beware the moon...
David Naughton in "An American Werewolf In London" (1981) - PHOTO CREDIT: IMDb.com
For my thirty-first and final instalment in this series of posts I'm going to suggest one last movie from the United States but, this time, directed by John Landis and first released in 1981 under the original title of "An American Werewolf In London" but, although it comes from the same guy who directed "Animal House", this monster movie (a masterpiece of terror) presents a different kind of animal! ;-)
Based on a screenplay also written by the director, John Landis, that came about following his tenure as a "Go-fer" for the production of "Kelly's Heroes" (1970) in the (then) Yugoslavian countryside. An incident occurred, while driving along a country road, which resulted in his witnessing the funeral of a gypsy. The cadaver was being buried in a massively deep grave, feet first, and was wrapped from head to toe in garlic, so that the body would not rise from the dead... and somehow this strange ritual sparked what was to become the cult classic which I am recommending to you today! Anyway, it tells the story of David Kessler (David Naughton) and Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne), a couple of college students from the USA, who are backpacking around Britain when they are attacked by what seems to be a large wolf-like creature. David manages to survive the mauling, though he does get bitten, but Jack is brutally killed. The creature that attacked them is killed, but somehow reverts to human form, and the local townspeople are unwilling to acknowledge it's existence. As David heals in hospital, he is plagued by nightmares of his mutilated friend, Jack, who warns David he's becoming a werewolf. Other victims appear to him, demanding he release them from the curse, as they are trapped between worlds on account of their unnatural deaths. When David learns the truth, he contemplates his suicide before the next full moon causes him to transform from man to murderous beast! :-O
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [British Quad Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter
If you haven't seen the film before, here is a brief taster in the shape of a trailer for this cult classic comedy horror, courtesy of a video uploaded by 'MovieTrailerFan 1980 to their 'YouTube' channel:-
If you'd like to know more... there's a full list of the cast & credits on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) listing for "An American Werewolf In London" (1981), FOUND HERE, which also includes a full storyline / plot summary as well as box office stats, technical specs & much more. For die-hard fans, there's more to be had from Wikipedia on "An American Werewolf In London" (1981) info for which is available VIA THIS LINK, and may help to fuel your appetite for (yet) another screening. Although if you're as much a fan of this werewolf movie as I am, or enjoy fantasy horror interwoven with dark comedy, it probably won't take too much persuading for you to watch this film again! ;-) :-)
Griffin Dunne as 'Jack Goodman' in "An American Werewolf In London" (1981)
PHOTO CREDIT: Cryptic Rock
Anyway... you probably guessed already but, if not, this film (like the others from this series of posts) is also available via the 'Shudder' streaming service and can be easily viewed on any Roku device via their dedicated channel (app) for these streaming media players. There are other opportunities for UK Roku users to view "An American Werewolf In London" (1981), including multiple purchase options from 'Amazon Video' so feel free to simply "Rent" for £2.49 (SD) / £3.49 (HD) or else "Buy & Keep" it for £5.99 (SD) / £6.99 (HD) - the choice is entirely yours. Having said that, I'd suggest taking a look at the possible alternatives before parting with any money... because there might be some free sources available online that offer file formats compatible with Roku. However, as my idea for this month-long blogathon was to suggest thirty-one Hallowe'en / Horror movies from 'Shudder UK', I'm recommending that you stream it via their channel - if possible! ;-) :-)
If you haven't already added it to your channel selection, you will find "Shudder" listed among the "Film & TV" channels in the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. You can easily install it on your Roku by navigating to the built-in 'Channel Store' (accessed via "Streaming Channels" from the home screen on your Roku device) and scrolling through the options until you see the channel icon (pictured above). It's completely FREE-TO-ADD so, once you've located it in the list of channels, just click the "OK" button on your Roku remote to select it and then click "OK" again where it says 'Add channel' to install it on your Roku player(s). Having done that, it's simply a case of launching the channel via the 'Go to channel' option and navigating the on-screen menu to log-in (if you already have an account, but haven't yet done so) or start your free trial (if you are new to the service) and, once you see 'Shudder TV' playing on the screen, just push the "DOWN" arrow on your Roku remote to get to the main menu... from where you can 'Search' for "An American Werewolf In London", then press 'OK' on your remote to select and 'Play' this cult dark comedy horror which runs to 1h 37mins.
LINK TO WATCH 'An American Werewolf In London' (1981) VIA 'SHUDDER UK' WEBSITE
Unfortunately for Roku users in the United States, this film is (currently) not available for streaming via the 'Shudder' service in the USA... although, options to rent "An American Werewolf In London" (1981) for only USD $1.99 (SD) or USD $2.99 (HD) do exist from either 'Google Play Movies & TV' or 'Fandango Now' which can then be watched on your TV through their respective Roku channels. Conversely, there's good news for Canadian streamers because, as in the UK, this film can also be streamed via the 'Shudder' subscription service in Canada. However, should you prefer to rent this film (rather than subscribe to watch it) there are no Roku-compatible services through which to stream this movie in Canada. That said, as suggested for UK Roku users above, there could well be one or two other streaming resources you can use, so it might be best to check for free alternatives online if you're not eligible for a 'Shudder' trial. Should you get stuck, trying to find a compatible stream, just message me via Twitter: @ukrokuchannels and I'll try to sort out a link for you! ;-) :-)
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Meanwhile, for that full cinema experience, here's a few movie posters and other related images film fans in 1981 (or more recently) would've encountered depending on their location around the world:
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Finally, to round-off this thirty-first and final instalment in my month-long Hallowe'en blogathon on 'Day Thirty-One' in the 'Countdown To Halloween' for 2017, here's my usual accompanying batch of FRIGHTENINGLY FUN FILM FACTS... for example: did you know that only four American work permits were requested of the British government for this production: one for Director John Landis, another for Make-up Artist Rick Baker, plus the two actors David Naughton and Griffin Dunne. The first three work permits were granted by the British government without question... however, the British office of Actors' Equity questioned the necessity of a work permit for Griffin Dunne, claiming that there were already plenty of young American actors living in Great Britain, who could portray the role of Jack Goodman. It was only when Director and Screenwriter Landis threatened to re-write the script, and re-title the movie "An American Werewolf in Paris", that the equity office reconsidered the application and granted Griffin Dunne his work permit!
David Naughton as 'David Kessler' in "An American Werewolf In London" (1981)
PHOTO CREDIT: IMDb.com
Meanwhile, for that full cinema experience, here's a few movie posters and other related images film fans in 1981 (or more recently) would've encountered depending on their location around the world:
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [USA Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Finnish Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [French Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Mauvais-Genres
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [German Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Italian Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: CineMaterial
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Japanese Poster #1]
PHOTO CREDIT: Vintage Movie Posters
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Japanese Poster #2]
PHOTO CREDIT: Imgur
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Alternative Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [PolyGram Records Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Blu-Ray Front Cover]
PHOTO CREDIT: Horror Freak News
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Special Screening Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Thai Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Monster Brains
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Universal Studios Poster]
Halloween Horror Nights 2014
PHOTO CREDIT: Truly Disturbing
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [USA Insert Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [USA Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: 1001 Movies... Before I Die!
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [USA Lobby Card #1]
PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [USA Lobby Card #2]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Contemporary Poster by Jidé]
Based on an Original Painting by Daryl Joyce
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
"An American Werewolf In London" (1981) [Contemporary Poster #2]
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
Finally, to round-off this thirty-first and final instalment in my month-long Hallowe'en blogathon on 'Day Thirty-One' in the 'Countdown To Halloween' for 2017, here's my usual accompanying batch of FRIGHTENINGLY FUN FILM FACTS... for example: did you know that only four American work permits were requested of the British government for this production: one for Director John Landis, another for Make-up Artist Rick Baker, plus the two actors David Naughton and Griffin Dunne. The first three work permits were granted by the British government without question... however, the British office of Actors' Equity questioned the necessity of a work permit for Griffin Dunne, claiming that there were already plenty of young American actors living in Great Britain, who could portray the role of Jack Goodman. It was only when Director and Screenwriter Landis threatened to re-write the script, and re-title the movie "An American Werewolf in Paris", that the equity office reconsidered the application and granted Griffin Dunne his work permit!
Other interesting tidbits of trivia include how in the opening scene of the movie, which depicts the two friends David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) on a walking tour of Yorkshire, the cold and dampness of the location caused Dunne's nose to run. While delivering a line of dialogue, Naughton glanced over at Dunne just in time to see Dunne catching and wiping away a stream of snot from his nose. Naughton laughed at the sight of Dunne's discomfort, making Dunne laugh as he tried to respond to Naughton's line of dialogue. The spontaneity of the shot, and the largely improvised scene, led to John Landis deciding to use that imperfect shot in the film's release print, anyway!
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Still, that's all I've got time for today... and sadly that's all for this year, too, but do remember to come back next year, for the followup to "Awesome Horror Streams for Hallowe'en Screams on Roku" and whatever Hallowe'en treats I can find for you in 2018, right here on this blog. Meanwhile... please be sure to visit the Countdown To Hallowe'en website and continue to show your support for this annual online Hallowe'en extravaganza PLUS don't forget to use the links you find there and check out all the other 'Cryptkeepers' who took part this time, as well as in previous years. I know they will all appreciate it, if you visit their blogs and share your thoughts on the contribution(s) they've made! ;-)
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ONE LAST THING, BEFORE I GO: Don't forget that, aside from the Hallowe'en / Horror-themed ghastliness that's been going on around these parts over the past month, you can also follow all the regular UK Roku action (as it happens) via the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels where up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related is posted on a daily basis (well, almost)! ;-) :-)
Until the next time, then...
That's all folks !!