For many of us our first introduction to off kilter and
subversive humor came in the form of a magazine that was on newsstands
everywhere. For pre-teens it was less the humor that was involved that got our
attention but the fact there was nudity in it and it wasn’t hidden under the
counter. But for those who loved a good laugh it was the premier source of
humor to find at the time, our own generations humor as opposed to that of what
was popular at the time. There is a huge difference between Henny Youngman
cracking wise about his wife and a magazine cover that pictured a dog with a
gun to its head that read “Buy this magazine or we’ll shoot this dog”.
This movie takes a look at NATIONAL LAMPOON from its
inception to its demise, covering all bases good and bad. A spin off of the
HARVARD LAMPOON, the magazine was started by Doug Kenney, Henry Beard and
Robert Hoffman. It was a humor filled magazine that parodied and focused on what
was happening in the country, sort of like MAD magazine but from a more adult
perspective. What the three of them did was bring in many of the most thought
provoking comedy writers of the time to work for the magazine and in return its
success skyrocketed.
You have to remember that these were the days before comedy
clubs dotted the country and skit based comedy took over the airwaves. As a
matter of fact it was from National Lampoon that many of those who went on to
take over the airwaves began. As the magazine grew in popularity things
happened that altered what was to come. Kenney left for a time leaving the
magazine in the hands of Beard alone. A workaholic who helped create the tone
of every issue, his disappearance had an effect on all involved.
But what helped move the downfall of the magazine as well
was the departure of many of the staff members. As the magazine grew it evolved
into a number of albums, weekly radio shows and stage productions involving
those writers. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S LEMMINGS was a record and stage show
featuring both John Belushi and Chevy Chase. As those writers and performers
left for shows like SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, the magazine suffered. Many other
noted writers stepped in and did well but they too left.
The magazine got involved in movies in 1978 with the release
of NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE but by then the magazine sales were
dwindling. More successful movies followed but the magazine had lost its punch,
relegating itself to special issues, rehashes of old issues and more nudity
rather than humor. Eventually it ended publication.
This documentary takes a look at all of that. Using a
stills, filmed footage and numerous interviews with those involved it blends
them together to take us through the magazine as it was and as it ended. It
talks about the good and the bad, never whitewashing facts to suit those who
loved it non-stop. In so doing it also reflects the evolution of comedy from
that time period. Nearly every major comedy writer or humorist at the time had
some connection to the magazine be it SNL writer Michael O’Donoghue, political
satirist P.J. O’Rourke or screenwriter John Hughes.
In some ways it was the success of the magazine that led to
its demise years later. Coupled with a generation that relies solely on visual
media and ignores printed matter there was little hope that the magazine could
go on. Watching this movie makes that a sad realization that so much was lost
when the magazine folded. But with this film many who weren’t aware of the
contribution to comedy that came from the magazine will be realized. Perhaps
enough so that people will go back in search of old issues, maybe one fan will
be inspired to create his own LAMPOON someday. We can hope.
Until then we can watch and learn from some of the most
creative comic minds of the past century on screen here. It serves as a
reminder that creativity and humor can walk hand in hand and inspire one
another. And it lets others know that there was something funny long before
they were born, something this generation seems to not realize yet. With this
movie the proof is there. An interesting and delightful documentary that
captures the time and the laughs in only 98 far too short minutes.
Click here to order.
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