On August 30, 1981, the film "An American Werewolf in London" was released in the United States. Directed by John Landis, this horror-comedy classic became a landmark in the history of special effects makeup, setting a new standard for the genre.

The movie follows the story of two American backpackers, David and Jack, who are attacked by a werewolf while hiking in the English countryside. Jack is killed, but David survives, only to discover that he has been cursed to transform into a werewolf during the next full moon.

What made "An American Werewolf in London" stand out was its groundbreaking special effects, particularly the werewolf transformation scene. Rick Baker, the special effects makeup artist, used a combination of prosthetics, makeup, and animatronics to create a realistic and terrifying transformation sequence that had never been seen before on screen. The scene, which shows David's painful metamorphosis from human to werewolf, took over a week to film and required actor David Naughton to endure hours of makeup application each day.

The film's success earned Rick Baker the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup, a category that was created in 1981 largely due to the impact of his work on this movie. "An American Werewolf in London" also influenced countless horror films that followed, with its perfect blend of horror and humor, as well as its innovative approach to special effects makeup.

Today, the film remains a beloved cult classic, celebrated for its creativity, originality, and its enduring impact on the horror genre and cinema history.