Howling III (1987)

Director:

Philippe Mora

Writers:

Gary Brandner (novel)
Philippe Mora (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 November 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Down Under

Plot:

A strange race of human-like marsupials appear suddenly in Australia, and a sociologist who studies these creatures falls in love with a female one...

Plot Keywords:

Australia | Sociologist | Tent | Saying Goodnight | Brunette

Cast

Barry Otto	...	Prof. Harry Beckmeyer
William Yang	...	Siberian Peasant
Imogen Annesley	...	Jerboa
Deby Wightman	...	Wolf Woman
Lee Biolos	...	Donny Martin (as Leigh Biolos)
Christopher Pate	...	Agent #1
Max Fairchild	...	Thylo
Jerome Patillo	...	Agent #2
Dagmar Bláhová	...	Olga Gorki (as Dasha Blahova)
Ralph Cotterill	...	Prof. Sharp
Michael Pate	...	President
Carole Skinner	...	Yara
Frank Thring	...	Jack Citron
Jenny Vuletic	...	Goolah
Glenda Linscott	...	Bahloo
Roger Eagle	...	Priest
Richard Carter	...	First Drunk (as Ric Carter)
Lionel Curtin	...	Second Drunk
Bob McCarron	...	Werewolf in Park
Mary Acres	...	Paper Seller
Steve Shaw	...	Horror Movie Actor
Megan Shapcott	...	Horrow Movie Starlet
Bob Barrett	...	Policeman #1
Bill Collins	...	Doctor #1
David Cahill	...	Doctor #2
Mary Haire	...	Nurse
Alec Maksimovich	...	Policeman #9
Penny Linden	...	Policewoman #10
Fred Welsh	...	Dan Ruggle
Brian Adams	...	Gen. Miller
Jon Ewing	...	Gen. Forster
Peter Van der Stolk	...	Michael
Rodney Francis	...	Male Dancer
Sam Toomey	...	Policeman #4
Burnham Burnham	...	Kendi
Allan Penney	...	Spud McCormack (as Alan Penny)
Tony Deary	...	Max
Gerry Skilton	...	Hunter #1
Steve Rackman	...	Hunter #2
Gary McGuire	...	Hunter #3
Peter Armstrong	...	Hunter #4
Robert Simper	...	Hunter #5
Wayne Pleace	...	Hunter #6
Alan Dargin	...	Tracker
Patrick Rowe	...	Policeman #6
Max Aspin	...	Policeman #7
Paul Lennon	...	Policeman #8
Peter Baird	...	Omega #1
Lee Rice	...	Omega #2
Max Skipper	...	Zac (4 years)
Andreas Bayonas	...	Zac (23 years)
Maia Horniak	...	Gracie (5 years)
Danielle Sharp	...	Gracie (15 years)
Aminatta Joy Abraham	...	UCLA Girl Student
Barry Humphries	...	Dame Edna Everage (Academy Award presenter)

Directed by
Philippe Mora

Writing credits
Gary Brandner		(novel)
Philippe Mora		(screenplay)

Produced by
Gilda Baracchi	....	co-producer
Steven A. Lane	....	executive producer (as Steve Lane)
Philippe Mora	....	producer
Robert Pringle	....	executive producer
Edward Simons	....	executive producer
Charles Waterstreet	....	producer

Original Music by
Allan Zavod

Cinematography by
Louis Irving

Film Editing by
Lee Smith

Production Design by
Ross Major

Set Decoration by
Brian Edmonds

Costume Design by
Ross Major

Makeup Department
Bob McCarron	....	special makeup effects

Production Management
Rosslyn Abernethy	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stuart Wood	....	first assistant director

Sound Department
Bob Clayton	....	sound
Les Fiddess	....	sound effects editor

Stunts
Peter Armstrong	....	stunt performer
Dale Aspin	....	stunt performer
Max Aspin	....	stunt coordinator
Wayne Pleace	....	stunt performer
Robert Simper	....	stunt performer

Production Companies

• Bancannia Holdings Pty. Ltd.

Distributors

• Bancannia Holdings Pty. Ltd. (19??) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Square Pictures (1987) (USA) (theatrical)
• Astro Distribution (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• CBS / Fox Video (19??) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (19??) (Australia) (VHS)
• Elite Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Elite Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Elite Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (1988) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• International Video Entertainment (IVE) (1988) (USA) (VHS)
• Koch Vision (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• M.I.B. (????) (Germany) (DVD)
• Oy Europa Vision AB (1988) (Finland) (VHS)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Screen Media Ventures (2009) (worldwide) (all media)
• Timeless Media Group (2009) (USA) (DVD)
• Timeless Media Group (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2009) (Australia) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2009) (Australia) (TV)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2009) (Australia) (video) (VOD)
• Vista Home Video (I) (1988) (USA) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:94 min | Finland:98 min (DVD) | Argentina:94 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:18 (original rating) | Argentina:16 | Denmark:15 | Norway:18 | Sweden:18 | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1988) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (2004) | Singapore:M18 | Iceland:16 | Germany:12 (re-rating) (2011)

Filming Locations:

CentrePoint Tower, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Bancannia Holdings Pty. Ltd.

Trivia:

The only Howling sequel with no character seen in any other Howling entry (Stirba, Werewolf Bitch served as a direct sequel to the first film, with Karen White reviving in her tomb; while 5,6,7 all have Elisabeth She as Mary Lou and other common characters). An oblique reference to the previous two entries occurs when Barry Otto's character asks the Russian woman if other groups of werewolves live elsewhere; she says "Africa....China....maybe California". This may reference the varied groups of werewolves who attended to Stirba in Howling II, and Howling I and II took place in California.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the man is thrown from the hospital building, the following scene shows his body coming from the roof, but the room is not on the roof.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Agent #1:Hey, have a look at this. Another K.G.B. intercept meaning "wolfman."
Agent #2:It has to be a code for *something.*
Agent #1:Doubt it is. Unless they know we're intercepting. "Werewolf was sighted near village of Leovich. Three villagers killed. Special army team are tracking monster." Well. Do we tell the powers that be?
Agent #2:Werewolves loose in the Soviet Union. I'm not telling them! Call Beckmeyer in Los Angeles and get his opinion. He's damn good on unexplained phenomenon. He knows how to deal with the White House and this weird shit.
Agent #1:Weird shit! I've got a weird feeling...
Agent #2:Indigestion?
Agent #1:No. Fear.

Movie Connections:

References The Beast Within (1982)

Soundtrack:

Cinderella

It's different that's for sure

In addition to being entertained we want films to take us to new and exciting places. They are an art form, but when they lack imagination and are too much like other films people lose interest. It's great when filmmakers experiment and attempt new things with a story that may have hit a block. However, this is not always totally successful and this is where 'Howling III' comes in. The first film is considered to be one of the best of it's kind while the first sequel bombed the big one at the Box Office. In an attempt to make up for II, director Phillipe Mora cooked up the next installment. The result is interesting and unlike any film in recent memory, but as to whether that's good is up to the individual.

Pros: Performances are quite good. Engrossing, if out there story. Plenty of memorably weird moments. Moves at a good pace. Lots of beautiful shots of Australia, including Sydney and the Outback. Respectable attempt by writer/director Mora at something different for the series and werewolf films. Some of the goofy humor is amusing. Great ending that's an homage to the original's.

Cons: Unconvincing effects. Completely lacking in scares. A lot of the humor falls flat. Forgettable score. Pretty bland direction this time from Mora, who did a much better job on II. Hasn't aged well.

Final thoughts: This film, which unlike the previous one is a sequel in-name-only, is difficult to judge. There is a really good movie in here, but the quality of the production and effects plus an uneven tone keep it from being all it could be. It also doesn't succeed as a Horror film since it's neither scary nor suspenseful, but there is just something about it. If you go in with an open mind you may find it worthwhile.

My rating: 3/5