DAILY DIRT: Would an ‘Animal House’ remake be able to equal or better the original?

Daily Dirt for Saturday, April 12, 2025

Were the 1970s actually a better decade movie-wise than the 1980s? … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,254 of The Daily Dirt.

1. The 1970s represented a decade that brought us some truly great movie moments.

Yesterday in this space, we looked at how inspiring the 1980s had been in developing signature on-screen memories, and whether it would be possible to duplicate or even improve on the original films with modern-day remakes.

That’s the same question we are pondering today with the 1970s, a 10-year period that could easily be argued was even better than the decade that followed. Critics have long said ’70s cinema pushed boundaries and made the way for some landmark storytelling in the future.

I have picked out my three favorite films from the ’70s, one a comedy that has earned the title of “classic,” plus two dramatic films that for those who originally saw them at the time of release can probably remember squirming in their theater seats.

Here’s our list of the three most medal-worthy films from the significant ’70s — ones that have at least earned a conversation concerning a reboot:

Gold medal: “Animal House” (1978): The classic frat house comedy has had plenty of imitations since but none that struck the nerve(s) of the original. An actual remake would probably need to be set in today’s world. The key would be to find an entertaining talent equal to — or greater than — the original John “Bluto” Blutarsky, played by the late, great John Belushi. It would also be important to put a new spin on the story line and matching — or improving on — some of the great physical comedy in the 1978 original. Filmed for only $3 million (equivalent to $14,462,755 in today’s money), “Animal House” garnered an estimated gross of more than $141 million ($679.8 million in today’s money) in the form of theatrical rentals and home video, making it the highest grossing comedy film of its time. In 2001, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and selected it for preservation in the National FIlm Registry. It was No. 1 on Bravo’s “100 Funniest Movies” and No. 36 on AFI’s “100 Years… 100 Laughs” list of the 100 best American comedies. In 2008, Empire magazine selected it as No. 279 of “The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time”. If such a remake project is ever undertaken, it will not be an easy act to follow … but raise your hand if you’d like to see “Animal House 2025”. Other key stars in the original: Stephen Furst (Kent Dorfman), Mark MEtcalf (Doug Neidermeyer), Tim Matheson (Eric Stratton).

Silver medal: “The Deer Hunter” (1978)”. “(This movie) is a powerful exploration of post-war life and the lasting effects of the Vietnam War on its veterans,” wrote Lisa Ward for movieweb.com in 2023. I would think U.S. involvement in Afghanistan would offer a similar type of backdrop for the same kind of issues tackled in “The Deer Hunter,” which was an incredibly powerful film, especially for the time it was released. There were still plenty of open, emotional wounds in the late 1970s from the conflict in Vietnam. Christopher Walken’s masterful performance in the Russian Roulette segment of the film represents one of the finest accomplishments in film history, no matter the genre. Other key stars in the original: John Cazale (Stanley), John Savage (Steven), Robert DeNiro (Michael).

Bronze medal: “Midnight Express” (1978). Another unforgettable film from this decade — and also from 1978 — this is one of the finest prison-centered movies ever produced. Imprisoned in Istanbul on a drug offense, the character of Billy Hayes (played by Brad Davis) undergoes and sees some of the horrors that can evolve from being in such a situation. The movie is based on a true story from earlier in the decade. Other key stars in the original: John Hurt (Max), Paul L. Smith (Hamidou).

2. Did you know (Part 330)

• That a “scurryfunge” is the time you run around cleaning frantically right before company comes over.
• That a “mondegreen” is a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase in a way that gives it a new meaning, such as the act of mishearing song lyrics.
• That “gynecomastia” is medical term for “man boobs”.
• That “phloem bundles” are those long, string things you see when peeling a banana.
• That “zarf” is the proper term for the cardboard sleeve on a coffee cup.

3. If they were still alive today (Part 3):

• Comedian Gilbert Gottfried would be 70.
• Gangsta rapper Notorious B.I.G. would be 52.
• Comedienne Joan Rivers would be 91.
• Actress Suzanna Somers would be 78.
• Singer Janis Joplin would be 82.
• Comedian Garry Shandling would be 75.
• Pro wrestler Ultimate Warrior would be 65.
• Operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti would be 89.
• Guitarist Eddie Van Halen would be 70.
• Pro wrestler Dusty “The American Dream” Rhodes would be 79.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – Have you seen the Chicago White Sox play yet this year? A year ago, they established a modern-era MLB record with 121 losses. I firmly believe they have the potential to reach 130 this season. They are absolutely horrible.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. To Hollywood: Don’t waste your time on an Animal House remake.