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Comedy Cult Classic

Political satire gets hairy when a White House insider is bitten by a werewolf in Hungary.

THE WEREWOLF OF WASHINGTON

Makes It Perfectly Clear.

1973 · 1h 30m · PG · Comedy / Horror · IMDB TMDB

After being unknowingly inflicted with the bite of a werewolf while on a visit to Europe, White House press secretary Jack Whittier begins to turn into a deadly beast by night, terrorizing Washington D.C. and presenting a very deadly threat to the President.

Quick Answer

What is The Werewolf of Washington about?

The Werewolf of Washington is a 1973 American comedy-horror film directed by Milton Moses Ginsberg about a White House press secretary who, after being bitten by a werewolf in Hungary, returns to Washington D.C. and undergoes strange transformations.

Programmer's Pick

A werewolf in the White House is the kind of political commentary only the '70s could dream up—Dean Stockwell's transformation is as much about lycanthropy as it is about the chaos of power. Milton Moses Ginsberg gleefully bites into both horror tropes and Beltway absurdity.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

The Werewolf of Washington spins a satirical horror-comedy tale centered on Jack Whittier, the press secretary to the President of the United States. While on assignment in Hungary, Jack is bitten by a wolf that is, in fact, a man, setting off a chain of unsettling changes. A gypsy woman warns him that he may suffer the same fate as her son, hinting at a supernatural affliction. Back in Washington D.C., Jack juggles his high-stakes political duties—and a clandestine affair with the President's daughter—as he starts to experience inexplicable changes, especially when the moon is full. The film blends political intrigue with the classic werewolf mythos, all with a darkly comedic edge.

Details & Specs

Director
Milton Moses Ginsberg
Writer
Milton Moses Ginsberg
Release
1973
Runtime
1h 30m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Comedy, Horror
Also Known As
Werewolf of Washington

Why This Matters

This 1973 horror comedy, written and directed by Milton Moses Ginsberg, stands out for its satirical take on Richard Nixon's administration, blending political commentary with genre conventions.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Why Cult

Political Satire

The film playfully skewers Washington insiders, mixing lycanthropy with the corridors of presidential power.

Unique Werewolf Twist

Instead of the usual gothic setting, the werewolf curse lands in modern-day Washington D.C., shaking up the genre.

Dean Stockwell Lead

Dean Stockwell stars as the afflicted press secretary, bringing both gravitas and comic timing to the transformation.

Gypsy Curse Motif

The classic gypsy curse trope is reimagined through a political lens, adding folkloric flavor to the D.C. drama.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Bitten by a werewolf in Hungary

Threat

Werewolf curse afflicting Jack Whittier

Effect

Jack transforms into a deadly beast, threatening people in Washington D.C.

Countermeasure

Receiving a charm and warnings from a gypsy woman

Setting

Washington D.C. and the White House

Questions from the Vault

Who directed The Werewolf of Washington? +

The Werewolf of Washington was directed by Milton Moses Ginsberg.

How long is The Werewolf of Washington? +

The Werewolf of Washington has a runtime of 90 minutes.

What genre is The Werewolf of Washington? +

The Werewolf of Washington is a comedy-horror film.

Where can I watch The Werewolf of Washington? +

The Werewolf of Washington is available to watch on SassyFlix.

How does Jack Whittier become a werewolf? +

Jack Whittier is bitten by a wolf who is actually a man while on assignment in Hungary, setting off his transformation.

Trailers & Clips