 There are several references to Joe Dantes previous film,  _Howling, The (1981)_ (qv): The smiley face on Billys refrigerator,  The "Coming Soon" scenes from "The Howling" displayed on the  interior of the towns movie theater, and most notably the inclusion  of the exact same character/actor, the television reporter Lew  Landers as portrayed by Jim McKrell (qv).