"Thriller": Werecat or Werewolf?

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:35 pm

In the Michael Jackson "Thriller" music video, I've heard a number of different opinions about the creature he turns into. Mostly, it is listed as a werewolf, but it has some feline qualities and I've heard a number of people (including a couple of books) call it a werecat.
What do you think it is?

Akela · Post by **Akela** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:36 pm

It's sad to say but... I haven't the faintest of what you are referring to. A link would prove to be immensely helpful.

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:42 pm

You can look at the IMDB page for "Thriller" to refresh your memory. I think nearly everyone has seen this, since it is one of the most famous music videos of all time (on a lot of "top 100" lists, even though it is old).

Akela · Post by **Akela** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:46 pm

That was before my time, never seen it, no link a viewable movie there though. : (

PariahPoet · Post by **PariahPoet** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:03 pm

I don't want to associate Michael Jackson with myself so I'm saying a really funky werewolf.

Silverclaw · Post by **Silverclaw** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:24 pm

From what I remember, I thought he turned into a funky werewolf. I need to watch it again to be sure though.

At this play thing I went to a couple years ago, they showed this music video. Right before Jackson transformed, he told the girl he was with 'I'm not like other guys'. Everyone then started laughing at that point

Darkmoon · Post by **Darkmoon** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:10 am

http://fanlistings.piranho.com/Thriller/

Was the only pic i could find..I personally have never seen the video...so *shrug* but I can't tell what that is...surfice to say that the transformation Jackson underwent in the years following this video were much creepier than the music video will ever be...

Hamster · Post by **Hamster** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:17 am

It had very long whiskers and claws so I say werecat. No, Werepanther.

Lupin · Post by **Lupin** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:27 am

I kinda thought it was a werewolf, but I don't know.

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:38 am

It was a werepanther. In subsequent videos he had a panther prowling around (since he also owns a tiger, I presume the panther was either his or belonged to someone he knew and grandfathered in). They played it up as if it were a classic werewolf, but if you see the sculptures to make the molds, sans hair, it's distinctly feline.

Vuldari · Post by **Vuldari** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:58 am

vrikasatma wrote:It was a werepanther. In subsequent videos he had a panther prowling around (since he also owns a tiger, I presume the panther was either his or belonged to someone he knew and grandfathered in). They played it up as if it were a classic werewolf, but if you see the sculptures to make the molds, sans hair, it's distinctly feline.

I'm suprised no one has mentioned the slotted eyes yet...a feature exclusive to felines and reptiles, if I am not mistaken.

Figarou · Post by **Figarou** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:03 am

I always thought it was a werecat when i 1st saw it. Not sure now.

Morkulv · Post by **Morkulv** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:13 am

The whiskers made it look like a were-cat.

Terastas · Post by **Terastas** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:40 am

Vuldari wrote:I'm suprised no one has mentioned the slotted eyes yet...a feature exclusive to felines and reptiles, if I am not mistaken.

*nods* That's the real give-away. Eyes like that are not necessarilly exclusive to felines and reptiles, but most people associate them as being a trait of felines.

Howling Fan · Post by **Howling Fan** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:29 am

Okay, I'm going to end this debate right now (if you can call it that). Besides the obvious feline physical features of the beast, i.e., slitted eyes and whiskers that grow from his facial cheeks, the director himself has said in the documentary for making this video (and in subsequent interviews) that Michael does indeed turn into a wereCAT, not a werewolf. As most people know, the director of "Thriller" was John Landis, who also directed "American Werewolf in London" (as well as the comedies "Animal House" and "The Blues Brothers"). Michael specifically hired John after watching "AWIL" cos he liked the TF.

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:29 am

Howling Fan wrote: the director himself has said in the documentary for making this video (and in subsequent interviews) that Michael does indeed turn into a wereCAT, not a werewolf.

Where can I see that documentary? Is it an extra on some DVD, or do I have to wait for it to be shown on TV?

Howling Fan · Post by **Howling Fan** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:07 pm

I saw this documentary in Music Appreciation Class in junior high, which was about 15 years ago. I think it was simply called "The Making of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.'" It might still be floating around somewhere at an obscure video store (you won't find it in Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, et al.). I also don't think it ever went to DVD. The funniest part of the video is when John Landis tells Jackson, "Pretend like it hurts, Michael," when he's shooting the TF scene, and Michael simply goes "Ahhhh," like a little school girl. Eventually, Landis admitted that they just completely removed his voice and substituted it with a sound effect for the beastly scream.

Lupin · Post by **Lupin** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:30 pm

Vuldari wrote:I'm suprised no one has mentioned the slotted eyes yet...a feature exclusive to felines and reptiles, if I am not mistaken.

IIRC, foxes have vertical slits for pupils as well.

Edit:

Figarou · Post by **Figarou** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:33 pm

Howling Fan wrote:Okay, I'm going to end this debate right now (if you can call it that). Besides the obvious feline physical features of the beast, i.e., slitted eyes and whiskers that grow from his facial cheeks, the director himself has said in the documentary for making this video (and in subsequent interviews) that Michael does indeed turn into a wereCAT, not a werewolf. As most people know, the director of "Thriller" was John Landis, who also directed "American Werewolf in London" (as well as the comedies "Animal House" and "The Blues Brothers"). Michael specifically hired John after watching "AWIL" cos he liked the TF.

Its good to know these things.

I knew it was a werewcat from the begining.

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:41 pm

And panthers don't have the slitted eyes. Only the small cats do.
I've seen a number of art- and movie-werewolves with the slitted eyes, most notably G'mork from Neverending Story.

Vuldari · Post by **Vuldari** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:04 am

Lupin wrote:
Vuldari wrote:I'm suprised no one has mentioned the slotted eyes yet...a feature exclusive to felines and reptiles, if I am not mistaken.
IIRC, foxes have vertical slits for pupils as well.
http://lupin.nonexiste.net/pupil17md.jpg

*cough*

...oh yeah...I knew that...

(Being the Vulpine Fan that I am and all)

...it just "slipped my mind"...yeah...that's it.

Like I said. "...if I am not mistaken..."

I guess I was.

(I have a FOX photo/poster on my wall [bigger than my WOLF one] and I've noticed the eyes before, but never really thought anything of it. I've never even remembered to implement it into any of my Fox drawings.)

Shadow Wulf · Post by **Shadow Wulf** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:55 am

Its SUPPOSE to be a werewolf.

Unfortanately they didnt add a muzzle, anyway I saw the making of the video waaaay back when I was a wee little lad, and they were talkling about the werewolf Micheal Jackson on Thriller.

Morkulv · Post by **Morkulv** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:20 am

On the set, there was a guy with a hand-pump, just pumping like hell (thats the part of the transformation were the whiskers grow out, and stuff like that). Its all done like that.

Lupin · Post by **Lupin** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:53 am

Shadow Wulf wrote:Its SUPPOSE to be a werewolf.

I don't see how you can say that if the director that made the video said he turns into a werecat.

Doruk Golcu · Post by **Doruk Golcu** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:57 pm

Looks indeed pretty round... Hmmmm... Didn't know that...