An American Werewolf in London (1981) Set Stories, Jenny Agutter & Me

I believe it was sometime during the winter of 1980 that I received a call from director John Landis. It had been snowing but hadn’t settled, I sat on the sofa contemplating life. To be honest it had got a bit boring since running Bubba Zanetti and his Hellhounds out of town. It was a fierce battle, a fun battle but now the bad guys were quiet for now and I needed a distraction.

Bubba Zanetti and Toecutter

So the conversation with John was very welcome “Look Wolfie, we hit a problem on the set of American Werewolf! There’s a scene where our hero changes from man to wolf and no matter how hard they try, the effects guys can’t get it right. It’s driving me mad! The budget is being stretched, tempers are rising. Look I know you helped Joe Dante on his project, could I persuade you to help on mine?”

I jumped at the chance, I needed to occupy the mind. I tell John I’m more than happy to help and what did he need? “Well we just need to see you metamorphosis back and forth a few times so the effect guys can mimic the changes.“. John sent a car over to me straight away and before I knew it I was in London at a flat in Earls Court shaking hands with a lovely guy called Rick Baker who happened to be the special effects make-up artist. Me being the ever professional did my stuff, freaking out a few people, one fainted and two run out that flat like bats out of hell. I’d seen it all before, I’m kinda cute really!

Now I could feel the eyes of someone look me up and down. Sat there in the corner of room with a glass of brandy in a her hand was the gorgeous Jenny Agutter. I was smitten and could feel I had gone red but lucky the fur had hidden my blushing. Now I had a crazy crush on her since she played Jessica in Logan’s Run, now she was in front of me and all of my dreams had come true. Play it cool Wolfie, play it cool, I said to myself.

Jenny was playing Nurse Alex Price and to my delight she was in her sexy outfit and damn did she look divine. It wasn’t long before we were snuggled on the sofa together giggling and laughing as she twisted her fingers through my fur as we knocked back spirits. She told me tales of meeting Donald Sutherland, working with Michael York and the troubles of shooting Walkabout. She knew all about my raising hell to stop the villains of the world taking charge and it wasn’t long before we were spending a very passionate night together. I leave the rest to your imagination.

Jessica Logan’s Run

It was a thoroughly enjoyable couple of days until the star, David Naughton who played David Kessler got, I guess a little jealous. He had a word with John and before I knew it I was back at home feeling refreshed and invigorated after my beautiful time spent with Jenny, a truly wonderful woman. Then the phone begins to rings, “Wolfman, it’s President Reagan, we need your help” No more time to reminisce, I’m back in the fight, back to what I do. This time against a deranged bald headed lunatic called Pluto and his gang of Mutant Bikers from Hades Gate, bring it on!

Pluto – The Hills Have Eys

Now I’m sure you’ve seen the film? It’s a classic.  American college students backpackers, David Kessler and Jack Goodman, take a walk across the moors in Yorkshire UK. Unfortunately for them there’s a werewolf on the rampage. Writer and Director John Landis gives us this superior horror film with many comic elements. It’s a perfect film and up there high with a whole host of brilliant 80’s horror movies. Drop everything and watch it now if you haven’t seen it.

PS…. One day I might tell the story of when I ran on all fours through the Mendocino Woodlands Camp with Dee Wallace on my back swirling her bra above her head as Joe Dante and Patrick Macnee sat watching in hysterics on the set of The Howling.

Till next time…. Keep enjoying the films…. Mikey Wolfman

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