DAILY DIRT: Would ‘Animal House’ have been the same with Meat Loaf instead of Belushi?

August 9, 2024 | By Steve Eighinger Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

I’m going to have to see if that “McGangbang” is available at any of the local McDonald’s outlets … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,027 of The Daily Dirt.

1. I think’s it’s fair to say that “Animal House” House is one of the most beloved films, no matter what generation your birth certificate represents.

The terms “Delta House” and “double secret probation” are synonymous with immediate laughter from almost anyone who has viewed this cinematic masterpiece. And if you’ve watched it once you’ve likely watched it at least a dozen times. (I have one longtime friend who shall rename nameless — but we’ll refer to him as Don Crim — who at last report had watched the John Belushi classic more than 75 times. But, hey, who’s counting?)

The sometimes-raunchy 1978 comedy highlighted Belushi’s comedic talents, which were always best suited for the big screen. What many fans of the movie have never realized is if Belushi had turned down the part of John “Bluto” Blutarsky, the role would have gone to Meat Loaf. As good as Belushi was as Blutarsky — and he WAS good — Meat Loaf would have likely been mighty impressive, too. Remember, that was the period when Meat Loaf was every bit as much of a household name as Belushi.

Belushi’s performance in the film that cost “only” $2.8 million to make (but grossed more than $140 million, the equivalent of just under $700 million today) shot him to superstardom. But he died only four years later at age 33 due to an overdose mixture of heroin and cocaine.

Some other little-known facts about the film:

Donald Sutherland’s contract called for him to receive $25,000, plus 2 percent of the gross earrings. Yeah, that worked out pretty well. Sutherland portrayed Prof. Dave Jennings.
Belushi was paid $35,000 for his performance, and later earned an unrevealed bonus.
Many college campuses refused to allow the film to be shot at their school. The University of Missouri initially agreed, but later declined after officials read the script. The University of Oregon finally agreed to host the filming.
Today at the University of Oregon, the “Delta House” is the site of a foot and ankle clinic, but a plaque commemorates the filming location.
A sequel had been planned, but was cancelled after Belushi’s death.

2. Did you know (Part 89) …

That there is a secret menu item at many McDonald’s called a McGangbang. It is a chicken pattie in the middle of a double cheeseburger, and you have to ask for it.
That America consumes 50 percent of the world’s chocolate.
That drinking too much grape soda will make your poop turn blue.
That Fanta was invented in Nazi Germany, due to the difficulty of importing Coca-Cola syrup during World War II.
That a can of Diet Coke will float in water, while a regular can of Coke will sink.

3. This week’s best license plates spotted by our readers and yours truly: