Any news on The Howling SE? [Archive]

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Daniel B

03-23-2003, 05:37 PM

Greetings,

Does Anybody know whether The Howling SE by MGM will be indeed released or not? And when? It's strange that last year it was expected to come out in the first months of 2003. Well, they're gone already!

bigdaddyhorse

03-23-2003, 05:47 PM

Haven't heard shit about this one for months, hopefully it'll happen sometime. MGM seams in no hurry to get their SE's out for titles that weak versions exist for. Also waiting on Escape From New York and Robocop.

Grim

03-23-2003, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by bigdaddyhorse
Also waiting on Escape From New York and Robocop.

Dude, my best advice is to try and find the Criterion Editon of Robocop, it's the unrated version and looks and sounds great. It has the trailer, commenary, this long thingy that goes through the production of the movie. I think it might have a teaser trailer too, I have to check.

bigdaddyhorse

03-23-2003, 06:02 PM

Thanks man, I do have that already. I even found a second copy for $10 used that I quickly turned to $40 on ebay.
I just wanna see the deleted scenes and new doc. that aren't on the Criterion. I will definitly keep my copy for the great making of, and the correct 1.66 aspect ratio (MGM mattes all 1.66 movies to 1.85 last I heard).
I also have the Escape From NY laserdisc, but really wanna upgrade that, plus the SE dvd should have even better extras (probably the same commentary).
Same deal with the Howling for me too. If all the laser extras make it to dvd (I've heard different stories as to what will be on the dvd, some say more than laser, some say less), then I'd probably sell that off too. If it's less, I probably won't bother with the dvd at all.

Grim

03-23-2003, 06:04 PM

maybe I'll get the RoboCop SE if it comes out. I love deleted scenes and making of docs.

KillerCannabis

03-24-2003, 02:13 AM

I've been hearing about a possible Howling SE for so long that I absolutely will not believe it until its in my hands.

Andrew

03-24-2003, 02:16 AM

Daniel...I don't know if you knew this or not, but there are many, many movies in this world. And many of them have absolutely nothing to do with THE HOWLING :).

Daniel B

03-24-2003, 03:19 AM

I do agree with you, Andrew:) LOL :):):)
it's just that I can't help it!:) But I do feel that werewolf genre is a bit underestimated.

This documentary "Unleashing the Beast: Making The Howling" is perhaps a prove that indeed there are real intentions for a SE, but I feel a bit like KillerCannabis, it's hard to believe until you have it.

Andrew

03-24-2003, 04:11 AM

Yeah, I'm just raggin' on ya. I'd love a HOWLING SE as much as the next guy, but I don't like getting my hopes up until it's official.

Daniel B

03-24-2003, 04:57 AM

Yeah! Hope the MGM boys move their asses!

CrumpsBro

03-24-2003, 06:56 AM

No word on extras but I've heard through the studio grapevine that we'll all be holding the HOWLING: SE in our hands by Halloween. :)

moogong

03-24-2003, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by CrumpsBro
No word on extras but I've heard through the studio grapevine that we'll all be holding the HOWLING: SE in our hands by Halloween. :)

This would be sweet...although shitty, I want the sequels on dvd too.

Horrorfan

03-24-2003, 04:06 PM

My understanding is that Joe Dante had stated we should see this dvd by Halloweeen. It is to feature a new documentary,the commentary track from the laserdisc,a new transfer and a few other goodies.

JW77

03-24-2003, 05:56 PM

Halloween, eh?

Bloody well hope so...

Eddie Quist

03-25-2003, 11:29 PM

I'm looking forward to it. ;)

blairmonster

03-25-2003, 11:52 PM

Fuck yeah baby! Now all we need is a New Moon Rising SE! :banana:

jgbradbury

03-26-2003, 04:05 PM

Found this on Sci Fi Wire:

. . . . Finally, [Joe] Dante wanted to produce a new Howling special edition, because he was dissatisfied with the previously available movie-only edition.

"They're doing The Howling as a special edition at my insistence, because I was so annoyed with the transfer of the last DVD. I didn't like it, and I suggested that it might be a good idea to do another transfer. So we did, and it's got a documentary on it that's not bad, plus most of the stuff that was on the old Image laser disc."

The new documentary incorporates old footage from behind the scenes and new interviews from the participants. The commentary will be the same as the one on the laser disc. "I didn't feel that I needed to do another commentary. In fact, Chris Stone, who's on the commentary, has passed away, so it seemed like it would be better to preserve that one."

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-...6/12/10.00.film

Looks like it's definitely going to happen. I think we'll see it this year sometime. There may be a small drawback though in comparison to the laserdisc release. I read somewhere that Dante's preferred aspect ratio for THE HOWLING is 1.66:1 and that MGM has a policy to format for 1.85:1 (or most likely 1.78:1). Last I read, Dante was unhappy that MGM didn't go 1.66:1 for the new transfer he requested. Maybe he ended up convincing MGM though. I hope so.

Here's some interesting links about THE HOWLING and its many incarnations on video and dvd. Pretty interesting stuff and you can see comparison screenshots between 1.66:1 and 1.85:1 and decide for yourself which one looks better.

http://sites.uol.com.br/the_howling/THDVD.html

http://sites.uol.com.br/the_howling/thehowlinghorror.htm

bigdaddyhorse

03-26-2003, 06:21 PM

Looking forward to the dvd, but positively holding on to the laserdisc! Hopefully the deleted scenes will all make it over.

blairmonster

03-26-2003, 11:35 PM

I don't have the laserdisc, so sign me up for the Howling SE! I've only ever seen this movie on the shitty VHS copy known to mankind, and I have refrained from watching it until there is a decent print available on DVD.

Interesting Howling story that my dad told me:

After my dad and his friend Chuck saw the movie in the theatres, they drove to Chuck's apartment, because he had to pick up something before heading somewhere else. My dad waited in the car as Chuck headed 4 or 5 stories up to his apartment. Knowing his way around, Chuck didn't turn on the lights to his apartment, figuring he'd only be a second. Little did he know that his cat was lying in wait under a chair, ready to pounce. As Chuck walked by the chair, the cat leaped out from under, sinking teeth and claws into his leg. Thinking he'd been attacked by a werewolf, Chuck let out a bloodcurlding scream. According to my dad, he heard the scream, clear as a bell 5 stories down, waiting in the car! !:lol:

This story has always amused me. A similar thing happened to me after watching Ringu for the first time. I was talking to my friend on the phone, comparing Ringu with the Ring, and a cellphone in front of me all of a sudden leapt to life with a combination of vibration and electronic ringing. I was so startled I had to ask my friend to hold on a minute while I caught my breath!

This is why I love horror movies folks! :D :banana:

Eddie Quist

03-26-2003, 11:49 PM

Originally posted by jgbradbury
Found this on Sci Fi Wire:

. . . . Finally, [Joe] Dante wanted to produce a new Howling special edition, because he was dissatisfied with the previously available movie-only edition.

"They're doing The Howling as a special edition at my insistence, because I was so annoyed with the transfer of the last DVD. I didn't like it, and I suggested that it might be a good idea to do another transfer. So we did, and it's got a documentary on it that's not bad, plus most of the stuff that was on the old Image laser disc."

The new documentary incorporates old footage from behind the scenes and new interviews from the participants. The commentary will be the same as the one on the laser disc. "I didn't feel that I needed to do another commentary. In fact, Chris Stone, who's on the commentary, has passed away, so it seemed like it would be better to preserve that one."

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-...6/12/10.00.film

Looks like it's definitely going to happen. I think we'll see it this year sometime. There may be a small drawback though in comparison to the laserdisc release. I read somewhere that Dante's preferred aspect ratio for THE HOWLING is 1.66:1 and that MGM has a policy to format for 1.85:1 (or most likely 1.78:1). Last I read, Dante was unhappy that MGM didn't go 1.66:1 for the new transfer he requested. Maybe he ended up convincing MGM though. I hope so.

Here's some interesting links about THE HOWLING and its many incarnations on video and dvd. Pretty interesting stuff and you can see comparison screenshots between 1.66:1 and 1.85:1 and decide for yourself which one looks better.

http://sites.uol.com.br/the_howling/THDVD.html

http://sites.uol.com.br/the_howling/thehowlinghorror.htm

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

I hope Daniel B. is around to read this...

Daniel B

03-27-2003, 12:21 AM

Hey guys/girls!

Good news, don't you think? So it seems it is indeed going to happen. If by any chance the SE comes before Halloween guess it'll be even better as I can't wait for it!
And even my favorite character (and friend) of The Howling, Eddie Quist, shows up! Gosh, I wish one day he'll have his deserved place along with other great bad guys like Freddy and Jason.
I am really honored that jgbradbury and Eddie mentioned the links I constructed about The Howling on The Howling Unofficial Site (which is about to complete its second birthday). Many Thanks:):)
Nice Sci Fi Wire article! It's a bit strange though it is almost a year old and not many news came since then. I've heard that the documentary "Unleashing the Beast" was finished in the beginning of 2002. I wrote the company in charge of that in order to give it a try to convince them to insert something about the different color/light versions of the movie (which would perhaps clarify that dilemma). But it seemed it was too late already.

Thanks and hope more news to appear.

Daniel B

betterdan

03-29-2003, 06:40 AM

Just found this on dvd drive in...

will be released on August 26 and retail for $14.95

THE HOWLING: SPECIAL EDITION--1.85:1, 16 x 9; 5.1sound mix; new 48-minute documentary; commentary track from the Image laserdisc; deleted scenes; outtakes; trailer; more.

blairmonster

03-29-2003, 06:44 AM

Originally posted by betterdan
will be released on August 26 and retail for $14.95

That's my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday dear blairmonster..........HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

betterdan

03-29-2003, 07:12 AM

Daniel B

03-29-2003, 10:43 AM

Oh Gosh, August is so far away!!! :):):)
But what's up with August? Is there any strategical reason for this month? I mean, the barebones edition was released on August 2001... To give time to everybody buy it before Halloween????

Grim

03-29-2003, 05:39 PM

August, right around the time of horrorfind, it's gonna be a god month for me.

Zodiac-Mindwarp

03-29-2003, 07:11 PM

I am really looking forward to getting a wonderful Special Edition on The Howling!

One of my favorite werewolf movies.

I agree with you Daniel, Eddie Quist rules! :D

JW77

03-30-2003, 04:54 AM

I was really hoping that "The Howling" would be presented in 1.66:1, as per Dante's preference.

Daniel B

03-30-2003, 10:15 PM

Yeah, it's so bad they'll present it as 1.85:1 and not 1.66:1, which will result with a good amount of film area missing. A transfer supervised by Dante but not with his desired aspect ratio is quite bad. At the end it's always market, business and red tape policies...
I'll buy it anyway, who wouldn't, facing the possibility of having a new documentary and the old LD extras?!?!?!?!?!

Daniel B

04-01-2003, 03:09 AM

But anyway, does anyone have a clue about why MGM has this strict policy of 1.85:1???? Only to match widescreen TVs or there's something else?

thrashard76

04-01-2003, 10:02 PM

I can't wait for the SE of this. I skipped the barebones disk but this one will be mine for the taking. I wish MGM would release more SEs though. :(

John

04-03-2003, 11:33 AM

From DVD File:
Leading the "pack" is the long-awaited special edition of The Howling. This re-release features a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, the audio commentary from the laserdisc with director Joe Dante and actors Robert Picardo, Dee Wallace-Stone and the late Christopher Stone, a brand-new 48-minute documentary, deleted scenes and outtakes and the trailer. Retail is $19.95.

The tentative street date is August 26th. I figured you would like the news! :D

betterdan

04-03-2003, 02:42 PM

Ummm John look earlier on in this post it's already been reported. You gotta keep up with the news.:lol: ;)

John

04-03-2003, 03:07 PM

:cry:

Mutilated Prey

12-12-2011, 07:34 PM

Unbelievably, I finally sat down and watched this for the first time. I picked up the SE at BestBuy like a year ago for $4.99 if not less. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I had seen random clips here and there including Terror in the Aisles (which doesn't really put it in a positive light in my opinion - they made it look corny) and based on that I always brushed it aside. Good acting and the gore was pretty decent as were the wolf transformations - I really was expecting something rather low-budget. The Wolves themselves kinda remind me of those in Dog Soldiers. Great creepy atmosphere too in the woods all foggy n' such. Highly recommended!

Demoni

12-12-2011, 08:02 PM

Mutilated Prey

12-12-2011, 08:13 PM

And Dee Wallace was hot as hell! :D

Yup, and Elisabeth Brooks wasn't bad either. I didn't realize she died at age 46 of cancer.

SaviniFan

12-12-2011, 08:20 PM

Mutilated Prey

12-12-2011, 08:52 PM

The Howling came out around the same time as American Werewolf In London. Both were cutting edge transformation scenes at the time. I prefer The Howling overall to AWIL. Hell, it has that A1 Steak Sauce guy in it as a werewolf. You older folks know who I'm talking about.

Yeah, like in Terror in the Aisles they only show us Dee Wallace's transformation which is ridiculously inferior to peep show booth guy.

You mean this A1 guy? That's some rug.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd9Y-bqwM6c

Funny thing is he was BBQ'ing it up when you first see him in the film.

Wow, Chris Stone died too at a somewhat early age. Kevin McCarthy too, but he was much older. And Slim Pickins - like right after this and 1941.

Did you know Roger Corman had a background shot in this too as some dood in a phone booth?

Kolpitz

12-13-2011, 12:07 AM

The Wolves themselves kinda remind me of those in Dog Soldiers.

Neil Marshall has stated that the werewolves in Dog Soldiers were modeled after those in The Howling. I think it was on his commentary track on the UK DVD where he states that he thinks An American Werewolf in London is the superior film, overall, but that he thought the werewolves in The Howling looked cooler.

Anthropophagus

12-13-2011, 12:17 AM

Neil Marshall has stated that the werewolves in Dog Soldiers were modeled after those in The Howling. I think it was on his commentary track on the UK DVD where he states that he thinks An American Werewolf in London is the superior film, overall, but that he thought the werewolves in The Howling looked cooler.

The thought has occurred to me that AAWIL would have been just awesome with the beasts from The Howling. Already a great film, but a concerted collaboration between Bottin and Baker has infinite possibilities.

JGrendel

12-13-2011, 10:20 PM

So when is this coming out on blu in north america?

Mutilated Prey

12-13-2011, 11:25 PM

Neil Marshall has stated that the werewolves in Dog Soldiers were modeled after those in The Howling. I think it was on his commentary track on the UK DVD where he states that he thinks An American Werewolf in London is the superior film, overall, but that he thought the werewolves in The Howling looked cooler.

Ah! Well there you go - thanks for the clarification.

Matt89

12-13-2011, 11:45 PM

So when is this coming out on blu in north america?

I just caved and got the Australian blu-ray. In fact, it arrived today.

~Matt

JGrendel

12-14-2011, 04:37 AM

I just caved and got the Australian blu-ray. In fact, it arrived today.

~Matt

Is it region free?

Robert Simandl

12-16-2011, 03:00 PM

I have the French Blu-ray, which I suspect is the same thing. At the very beginning, you're asked what country you're in (France and Australia are two of the choices, along with Germany and two others).

Locked to Region B.