The Party Animal

Last updated
The Party Animal
The party animal (DVD cover).jpg
The Party Animal DVD cover
Directed by David Beaird
Written by Alan C. Fox and
David Beaird (story)
David Beaird (screenplay)
Produced byBryan England
Mark Israel
Starring Matthew Causey
Timothy Carhart
Jerry Jones
Suzanne Ashley
Narrated byJerry Jones
CinematographyBryan England
Edited bySusan Jenkins
Production
company
Moviestore Entertainment
Distributed byInternational Film Marketing
Release dates
  • May 14, 1984 (1984-05-14)(Cannes)
  • June 15, 1984 (1984-06-15)(United States)
Running time
78 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Party Animal is a 1984 American fantasy comedy film written and directed by David Beaird. It was independently produced and was released across the United States, where it was critically derided, but did respectably well at the box office.[ citation needed ]

Contents

The film is a slapstick mockumentary-style comedy that spoofed the college campus sexploitation genre popularized by Animal House and Porky's . Though the movie was made on a shoestring budget, its soundtrack featured Buzzcocks, The Untouchables (who also perform in the film), The Fleshtones, The Convertables and Chelsea. The theme song for The Party Animal was "Why Can't I Touch It".

The film is available through MGM Home entertainment on a limited edition series of 80s comedies.

Plot

The film begins with the strains of "Why Can't I Touch It" by Buzzcocks as the camera pans across a rural landscape to the face of a beautiful teenage girl (Susanne Ashley) who is atop a hill surveying the road below. An open-ended truck rolls into view bearing a young man lying on a pile of turnips. This is Pondo Sinatra (Matthew Causey), the star of the story, a 22-year-old virgin burdened with raging hormones, no sex appeal or social skills. He is on his way to his first day at college. Upon arrival, Pondo cannot help but notice that the university is full of attractive and scantily clad females but try as he might he is of no interest to them. The good looking and popular 'Studly' (Timothy Carhart) soon takes him under his wing, as best friend and tries to teach him the ways of seduction but Pondo is without a clue and tries ever more bizarre schemes failing spectacularly with hilarious [ citation needed ] consequences. Even the local whore house won't help him. Desperate to break what seems to be a curse, Pondo descends into suicidal depression at which point the college's wise janitor named Elbow (Jerry Jones) steps in and gives Pondo some advice in one of the film's most famous scenes. This and a few of the other main scenes are so politically incorrect they would not be allowed in today's more careful cinematic climate. The attempts include a try at poetic seduction. Studley tells Pondo what to say to his vivacious date Natasha (Robin Harlan) via a remote microphone; sending Pondo to buy elegant new clothes (he goes to the Punk store by mistake and leaves looking like Quasimodo); taking massive quantities of drugs (which in reality would be lethal); and activating world's biggest vibrator, the Moby-M5 with disastrous consequences. The M-5 episode provides a pretext for an outrageous scene where two porn store employees discuss strategic arms limitation treaties, using various dildos as props.

After one of these dating debacles, Pondo frightens Studley by shouting "I'd sell my soul for a piece of ass!" Meanwhile, the lovely Miranda, (Susanne Ashley), a mysterious girl with supernatural powers who has been observing Pondo's struggles for some time, hears his cry and cryptically acknowledges it. Some time afterward, Pondo accidentally creates a chemical compound that makes him irresistible to women. At first he revels in his new "party animal" prowess; later, exhausted and terrified, he takes to barricading himself in his room to escape the mobs of obsessed women who pursue him everywhere. "I have been greedy," he confesses despairingly to Studley, "I am like King Midas; everything I touch turns to poontang!" The end of the film is tragic-comic with a metaphysical twist concerning the fate of those ruled by lust.

Cast

Soundtrack

The film contains numerous songs by The Fleshtones, Buzzcocks, Chelsea The Convertables.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Sinatra</span> American singer and actor (1915–1998)

Francis Albert Sinatra was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century. Sinatra is among the world's best-selling music artists with an estimated 150 million record sales.

<i>Animal House</i> 1978 comedy film by John Landis

National Lampoon's Animal House is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis and written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller. It stars John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hulce and Donald Sutherland. The film is about a trouble-making fraternity whose members challenge the authority of the dean of the fictional Faber College.

<i>Anchors Aweigh</i> (film) 1945 film by George Sidney

Anchors Aweigh is a 1945 American musical comedy film directed by George Sidney, starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, and Gene Kelly, with songs by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. The film also features José Iturbi, Pamela Britton, Dean Stockwell, and Sharon McManus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Martin</span> American singer and actor (1917–1995)

Dean Martin was an American singer, actor, comedian and television host. One of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, he was nicknamed "The King of Cool". Martin gained his career breakthrough together with comedian Jerry Lewis, billed as Martin and Lewis, in 1946. They performed in nightclubs and later had numerous appearances on radio and television and in films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Rickles</span> American comedian and actor (1926–2017)

Donald Jay Rickles was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He became known primarily for his insult comedy. His film roles include Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), Enter Laughing (1967), Kelly's Heroes (1970), and Casino (1995). From 1976 to 1978, Rickles had a two-season starring role in the NBC television sitcom C.P.O. Sharkey, having previously starred in two eponymous half-hour programs, an ABC variety show titled The Don Rickles Show (1968) and a CBS sitcom identically titled The Don Rickles Show (1972).

<i>The Last Seduction</i> 1994 neo-noir erotic thriller film directed by John Dahl

The Last Seduction is a 1994 American neo-noir erotic thriller film directed by John Dahl, featuring Linda Fiorentino, Peter Berg, and Bill Pullman. The film was produced by ITC Entertainment and distributed by October Films. Fiorentino's performance garnered widespread critical acclaim and generated talk of an Oscar nomination, but she was deemed ineligible because the film was shown on HBO before its theatrical release. October Films and ITC Entertainment sued the Academy, but were unable to make Fiorentino eligible for a nomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veit Harlan</span> German film director and actor (1899–1964)

Veit Harlan was a German film director and actor. Harlan reached the highpoint of his career as a director in the Nazi era; most notably his antisemitic film Jud Süß (1940) makes him controversial. While viewed critically for his ideologies, a number of critics consider him a capable director on the grounds of such work as his Opfergang (1944).

<i>Eight Legged Freaks</i> 2002 film by Ellory Elkayem

Eight Legged Freaks is a 2002 monster comedy horror film directed by Ellory Elkayem and starring David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scott Terra, Doug E. Doug, and Scarlett Johansson. The plot follows spiders that are exposed to mutagenic toxic waste, causing them to grow to colossal sizes and attack a small American mining town.

<i>Waiting...</i> (film) 2005 American film

Waiting... is a 2005 American independent black comedy film written and directed by Rob McKittrick and starring Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris, and Justin Long. McKittrick wrote the screenplay while working as a waiter.

<i>License to Drive</i> 1988 film by Greg Beeman

License to Drive is a 1988 American teen comedy film written by Neil Tolkin and directed by Greg Beeman in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Heather Graham, and Carol Kane. The film was in production in late 1987. It was released on July 6, 1988, in the United States and grossed over $20 million at the North American box office. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox.

<i>Deewane Huye Paagal</i> 2005 Indian film

Deewane Huye Paagal is a 2005 Indian Hindi-language romantic action comedy film directed by Vikram Bhatt, and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala. The film features Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Rimi Sen, Paresh Rawal and Johnny Lever. Aftab Shivdasani and Vivek Oberoi make guest appearances. An unofficial remake of the 1998 American film There's Something About Mary with some changes, the film was released on 25 November 2005 to a positive critical reception. Despite favorable reviews, the film failed commercially. Over the years, this film has been a cult-classic and has a significant and passionate fanbase. The performance of Akshay Kumar and other stars was widely appreciated in this movie.

<i>Beach Blanket Bingo</i> 1965 film by William Asher

Beach Blanket Bingo is a 1965 American beach party film directed by William Asher. It is the fifth film in the Beach Party film series. The film stars Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Linda Evans, Deborah Walley, Paul Lynde, and Don Rickles. Earl Wilson and Buster Keaton appear. Evans's singing voice was dubbed by Jackie Ward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Causey</span>

Matthew Causey is an American academic, film and theatre maker, singer-songwriter and actor. He is associate professor at Trinity College, Dublin and director of the Arts Technology Research Laboratory in the School of Drama, Film and Music. He received his PhD in Drama from Stanford University, where he wrote, produced, and performed in his trilogy of plays, The History of the Avant-Garde.

<i>The Night We Called It a Day</i> (film) 2003 Australian film

The Night We Called It a Day, also known as All the Way, is a 2003 Australian-American comedy drama film directed by Paul Goldman, starring Dennis Hopper as Frank Sinatra and Melanie Griffith as Barbara Marx. It also features Portia de Rossi, Joel Edgerton, Rose Byrne and David Hemmings. The movie is based on the true events surrounding Sinatra's 1974 tour in Australia. When the singer calls a local reporter a "two-bit hooker", every union in the country black-bans the star until he issues an apology.

<i>Under the Yum Yum Tree</i> 1963 film by David Swift

Under the Yum Yum Tree is a 1963 American sex comedy film directed by David Swift and starring Jack Lemmon, Carol Lynley, Dean Jones, and Edie Adams, with Imogene Coca, Paul Lynde, and Robert Lansing in supporting roles. The film received two Golden Globe Award nominations in 1964: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Lemmon.

<i>Definitely, Maybe</i> 2008 film

Definitely, Maybe is a 2008 romantic comedy film written and directed by Adam Brooks, and starring Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz, Elizabeth Banks, Abigail Breslin, and Kevin Kline. Set in New York City, the film is about a former political consultant who tries to help his daughter understand his impending divorce by telling her the story of his past romantic relationships and how he ended up marrying her mother. The film grossed $56 million worldwide.

<i>Get Yourself a College Girl</i> 1964 film by Sidney Miller

Get Yourself a College Girl, also released as The Swingin' Set, is a 1964 Metrocolor film comedy in the style of a beach party movie. The plot involves a college student who tries to balance her time writing songs and dealing with her publisher who tries to pursue her. It was directed by Sidney Miller and written by Robert E. Kent, and filmed at Sun Valley, Idaho, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timothy Carhart</span> American actor

Timothy Carhart is an American actor. He starred in the CBS drama Island Son (1989–90) and has had recurring roles in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–03) and 24 (2002). He also starred in the 1992 Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. His film appearances include Ghostbusters (1984), Pink Cadillac (1989), Thelma & Louise (1991), and Beverly Hills Cop III (1994).

<i>A Boy and His Dog</i> (1975 film) 1975 film

A Boy and His Dog is a 1975 American black comedy science fiction film directed by actor L. Q. Jones, from a screenplay by Jones based on the 1969 novella of the same title by fantasy author Harlan Ellison. The film stars Don Johnson, Susanne Benton, Alvy Moore, and Jason Robards. It was independently produced and distributed by Jones' company LQ/Jaf Productions. The film's storyline concerns a teenage boy, Vic, and his telepathic dog, Blood, who work together as a team in order to survive in the dangerous post-apocalyptic wasteland of the Southwestern United States. Shout! Factory released the film on DVD and Blu-ray in August 2013.

<i>Some Came Running</i> (film) 1958 film by Vincente Minnelli

Some Came Running is a 1958 American drama film directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Shirley MacLaine, based on the 1957 novel of the same name by James Jones. Set in 1948, it tells the story of a troubled Army veteran and author who returns to his Midwestern home town after 16 years, to the chagrin of his wealthy, social-climbing brother.

References