The Werewolf of Washington
I am not a crook. A werewolf maybe, but not a crook. Elvira, that sultry minx of the darkness, is back with another movie so bad it's good, “The Werewolf of Washington.” The political werewolf flick stars Dean Stockwell as the president’s press assistant, who has his own time of the month.
This is the story of Jack Whittier (Dean Stockwell), a political reporter who inflicts a self-banishment to Hungary after an affair with the president’s daughter. After a few months, Jack is called back to Washington to become the president’s press assistant and on his way to the airport, he is attacked by a werewolf. The next month when the moon is full, Jack transforms into a werewolf and no one is safe.
“The Werewolf of Washington” has everything going for it; politicians, werewolves, mad scientist with height deficiencies, Elvira and Al from “Quantum Leap." This movie is a schlock masterpiece. While it has a few low points, such as a slow start, there are so many classic moments that I am going to talk about the top five moments.
5. Transformation: The filmmakers went with the same frame dissolve as Universal’s “Wolfman” but what made the transformation so great is that Stockwell constantly twitches his upper lip and nose in such a maniacal way. He seems as though he is smelling something foul in the air than transforming into a werewolf. I just hope he remembered that whoever smelt it, dealt it.
4. Initial Attack: On his way to the airport, Jack is forced to swerve his car off the road to avoid hitting a man in the middle of the road. The crash itself is classic. Not only do the braking sounds not fully match up with the video but when the car slowly pulls up to the tree it is coupled with loud crashing sound effects. The scene only gets better when a wolf jumps at Jack and they begin to struggle, if you call it that. It comes off more like Timmy and Lassie playing together.
3. Hippie attack: There are two hippies that witness one of the werewolf’s attacks. As they are walking along the D.C. streets the woman of the pair goes into a phone booth to make a call. While she is in the booth her partner is attacked and then the wolf comes for her. After it knocks the phone booth over, it gallops around the phone booth trying to get inside.
2. Transformation #3: After a sultry phone call with a lady friend, Jack begins changing. Once he is in werewolf form, Jack becomes more like the family pet from hell than a hell beast. Jack gallops around his room before sniffing the rug and then tossing it around with his mouth. He pulls the lamp down off a table and gnaws on the base. The only thing missing from the scene was is one ticked-off owner chasing him around with a rolled-up newspaper.
1. Mad Scientist’s best friend: One of the times that Jack changes into the beast, he is in a meeting with the president and other associates. Jack is loose in a building and kills a guard. Just when you think that the scene can’t get any more horrifying Jack runs into a scientist with a height deficiency. This is when the scene is lifted to new heights. Instead of mauling the man Jack begins circling the scientist. Jack actually stops and sniffs his butt. Don’t worry, there’s more. For whatever reason Jack begins sitting back on his legs and licking the scientist. I can definitely say I have never seen anything like it in a werewolf movie. It just goes to show that werewolves really are a Mad Scientist’s best friend.
Elvira is a great companion to the movie. During the breaks she campaigns, but can't tell anyone what for. A real treat is that Elvira does a spot on impersonation of the Alaskan native Sarah Palin.
If you’re looking for a good time and a horror movie with a sense of humor, then “The Werewolf of Washington” is the movie for you. I would highly recommend this movie to one and all.
The DVD comes with a bunch of features from a Behind the Scenes to Sneak Peek Previews to other macabre movies.
Film: 3.5 Yaps Extras: 3 Yaps