The Real Animal House

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY OCT 9, 2006

The screenplay for National Lampoon's Animal House was the brainchild of National Lampoon editor Harold Ramis, Doug Kenny and Miller, who turned Dartmouth frat life into the 1978 hit movie. Often, their stories were considered too sordid for Universal's producers to air. Ironically, what seemed too gross to put on screen in the '70s is now too boring to put in print. Yet without actors to give dimension to the zany characters, the tall tales feel like an awkward, horny sophomore faking bravado. What readers learn is Miller's obsession with puerile details and his insane desire to degrade himself. Pinto, the name he gave himself at Dartmouth, finds acceptance at a fraternity because of his "booting prowess" (vomiting skills); he witnesses the sexual victories of his pals, drinks himself sick and survives car accidents. Like the outtakes in DVDs, this book proves that Miller's frat-boy shenanigans deserved to stay on the cutting-room floor, not because of any sense of prudery, but to save the reader from testosterone-fueled overkill. Die-hard fans may be amused by the tales of "Bags" and "Seal," the two real-life inspirations for Animal House's Bluto, the role John Belushi nailed. But none of the recorded pranks have the life-spirit contained in Belushi's clarion call: "Toga!"