‹ All movies

The Rewatchables ·

Animal House

year 1978decade 70sdirector John Landisgenre Comedy
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 30 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:01:07

Belushi playing Flounder

Chris Ryan: The possibility that Belushi’s career changes if he plays Flounder instead of Bluto is debated

Bill Simmons: The film is blamed for inspiring two generations of destructive college imitation

The film

Animal House (1978)

Directed by John Landis · Comedy

109 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

John Belushi John Blutarsky ("Bluto")
Tim Matheson Eric Stratton ("Otter")
Thomas Hulce Lawrence "Larry" Kroger ("Pinto")
Peter Riegert Donald Schoenstein ("Boon"), Otter's best friend
Stephen Furst Kent Dorfman ("Flounder"), Pinto's best friend and fellow freshman whose older brother Fred was a member of the Delta fraternity
Bruce McGill Daniel Simpson Day ("D-Day")
Karen Allen Katy, Boon's girlfriend
James Widdoes Robert Hoover ("Hoov")
Douglas Kenney Dwayne Storkman ("Stork")
Christian Miller Curtis Wayne Fuller ("Hardbar")
James Daughton Gregory Marmalard
Mark Metcalf Douglas C. Neidermeyer
Kevin Bacon Chip Diller
Mary Louise Weller Mandy Pepperidge, Marmalard's original girlfriend and Bluto's love interest
Martha Smith Barbara Sue "Babs" Jansen, Mandy's fellow Pi house member who also likes Marmalard
John Vernon Dean Vernon Wormer
Verna Bloom Mrs. Marion Wormer
Donald Sutherland Dave Jennings
Cesare Danova Carmine DePasto
Sarah Holcomb Clorette DePasto
Lisa Baur Shelly Dubinsky, Otter's date from Emily Dickinson college and Fawn's roommate
DeWayne Jessie Otis Day

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

28:48

Most Rewatchable Scene

The toga-party “Shout” performance

The toga-party “Shout” performance

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:48Read transcript
  • The opening entrances for Bluto, Otter, and D Day are praised — Bill Simmons
  • The pledge-recruit sequence and its nicknames are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Flounder killing the horse and the following dean meeting are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Belushi’s cafeteria-line routine, the zit gag, and the food fight are leading choices — Bill Simmons
  • The ladder sequence is called funny while its voyeurism is acknowledged as dated — Bill Simmons
  • The grocery-store catching routine and flirting are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The toga party is praised for its visual gags and “Shout” performance — Bill Simmons
  • The Dexter’s road trip and Otis Day sequence is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Dean Wormer reading the grades and imposing double-secret probation is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Bluto’s rally speech is identified as the movie’s most famous scene — Bill Simmons
  • The parade is enjoyed but described as an oversized closing set piece — Chris Ryan
  • The closing character-title cards are praised as influential — Bill Simmons
  • The toga-party “Shout” performance is selected and agreed to as most fun to watch — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More Most Rewatchable Scene answers
34:51

The most 1978 thing

The 13-year-old reveal

The 13-year-old reveal

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:51Read transcript
  • National Lampoon’s prominence as a comedy brand is nominated — Chris Ryan
  • Smoking marijuana secretly in a dark room and fearing schizophrenia is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The reveal that Pinto’s date is 13 is called shocking even by 1978 standards — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More The most "year the movie came out" thing answers
37:19

What’s Aged the Best?

The music, Bluto’s sports-arena rally speech, several performances, and many durable comic bits

The music, Bluto’s sports-arena rally speech, several performances, and many durable comic bits

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:19Read transcript
  • “Louie Louie” and “Shout” are praised as enduring party and wedding songs
  • Donald Sutherland enabling the production and his brief performance are appreciated — Bill Simmons
  • Bluto’s rally speech is praised for becoming a home-arena staple — Bill Simmons
  • The women’s-college visit and kiln-explosion story are praised as sharply observed — Chris Ryan
  • Belushi smashing the acoustic guitar is described as an enduring party fantasy — Chris Ryan
  • Tim Matheson’s Otter performance is praised as charming, funny, and star-worthy — Bill Simmons
  • The ROTC students, golf scene, and opening fraternity-door gag are praised — Bill Simmons
  • The film’s jokes and music are described as still effective despite dated material — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More What’s Aged the Best? answers
50:08

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The horse-heart-attack freeze frame and Belushi’s cafeteria face

The horse-heart-attack freeze frame and Belushi’s cafeteria face

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:08Read transcript
  • The freeze frame after the horse’s heart attack is nominated
  • The cafeteria “Amazit” image is selected as the strongest image
Share this discussion More The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot answers
51:21

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The Greg–Mandy–Babs triangle

The Greg–Mandy–Babs triangle

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:21Read transcript
  • The Greg, Mandy, and Babs romantic triangle is selected as the weak link
  • The 13-year-old storyline is set aside before the ordinary weak-link comparison — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film answers
52:14

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Old School

Old School

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:14Read transcript
  • The film is considered effectively remade as Old School — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake answers
55:42

What’s Aged the Worst?

The underage storyline, racial material, flat direction, and some missing consequences

The underage storyline, racial material, flat direction, and some missing consequences

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:42Read transcript
  • The Belushi voyeur sequence and the 13-year-old storyline are identified as badly dated
  • The primitive cultures remark followed by a cut to Otis is identified as racism — Bill Simmons
  • John Landis’s direction is criticized as visually flat compared with possible Reitman or Ramis versions — Chris Ryan
  • Niedermeyer’s spit is singled out as an unpleasant detail — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More What’s Aged the Worst? answers
1:01:07

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Belushi playing Flounder; the film’s harmful copycat influence

Belushi playing Flounder; the film’s harmful copycat influence

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:07Read transcript
  • The possibility that Belushi’s career changes if he plays Flounder instead of Bluto is debated — Chris Ryan
  • The film is blamed for inspiring two generations of destructive college imitation — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award answers
1:05:38

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

John Vernon

John Vernon

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:38Read transcript
Share this discussion More The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award answers
1:05:54

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Donald Sutherland

Donald Sutherland

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:54Read transcript
  • Donald Sutherland is selected for making two brief scenes feel like an event — Bill Simmons
  • Dean Wormer’s wife is an alternative choice
  • Shelley, Fawn’s roommate, is offered as another alternative — Chris Ryan
Share this discussion More The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance answers
1:12:50

Apex Mountain

Belushi, Tim Matheson, cafeteria scenes, college movies, toga parties, and Stephen Furst

Belushi, Tim Matheson, cafeteria scenes, college movies, toga parties, and Stephen Furst

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:50Read transcript
Share this discussion More Apex Mountain answers
1:14:56

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Hanks as Otter

Tom Hanks as Otter

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:56Read transcript
Share this discussion More Cruise or Hanks? answers
1:18:26

Is This Movie Better With…?

Zane Lowe and Dr. Charles Nichols impressions

Zane Lowe and Dr. Charles Nichols impressions

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:26Read transcript
  • Zane Lo is proposed to confront Boone about his all-time low — Bill Simmons
  • Dr. Charles Nichols is proposed for a line about Blutarsky being unwell — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More Is This Movie Better With…? answers
1:20:26

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The bar’s fishbowl-breast prop and Bluto’s COLLEGE sweatshirt

The bar’s fishbowl-breast prop and Bluto’s COLLEGE sweatshirt

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:26Read transcript
  • The fishbowl-breast display behind the bar is selected — Bill Simmons
  • Bluto’s COLLEGE sweatshirt is another selection — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie? answers
1:20:56

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

“Don’t get mad, get even” and “You’re only young once”

“Don’t get mad, get even” and “You’re only young once”

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:56Read transcript
  • “Don’t get mad, get even” is proposed — Bill Simmons
  • “You’re only young once” is offered as an alternative — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson answers
1:22:49

Who Won the Movie?

John Belushi

John Belushi

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:49Read transcript
  • Bluto’s performer is selected immediately as the movie’s winner. — Craig Horlbeck
Podcast choices
Share this discussion More Who Won the Movie? answers