# Animal House - why did John Belushi destroy the guitar? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [August 28, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786 "2014-08-28T19:35:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/41 "2014-08-31T15:33:14Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I hope it was a prop guitar he busted up. I’ve always thought there was something inherently wrong with destroying musical instruments. That’s why Pete Townsend and I weren’t on speaking terms for decades. Well, Townsend smashed Ricks and Gibsons. At the most, Charming Guy was playing a $35.00 nylon string POS they use to lure you into a making a buy. It probably had an 1.25" action at the 12th fret. > [@silenus](#): > > And, of course, the two quotes together are a set from Martin Mull’s _Sex and Violins_. At least it didn’t start with that fiddle and banjo crap. It started with Seamen’s Chantys. [Men!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m-xZ4gz4MM) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/42 "2014-08-31T17:45:50Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Dude, sometimes a funny movie is funny. I wouldn’t overthink a movie like Animal House. What? Overthink? Did you say “overthink”? Nothing is overthinked until we decide it is! Did we overthink when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/43 "2014-08-31T17:52:52Z")
Germans? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/44 "2014-08-31T18:05:47Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Germans? Just go with it, man. He’s on a roll. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2014, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/45 "2014-08-31T23:52:25Z")
Chris Miller wrote the original story for National Lampoon and he based it on his actual college experiences at Dartmouth. He filled it out into a book-length memoir, [The Real Animal House: The Awesomely Depraved Saga of the Fraternity That Inspired the Movie](http://www.amazon.com/Real-Animal-House-Awesomely-Fraternity/dp/B008NXCCOI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409526046&sr=8-2&keywords=The+Real+Animal+House%3A+The+Awesomely+Depraved+Saga+of+the+Fraternity+That+Inspired+the+Movie+%28). He got there in 1959, I think, when the cool music was black r&b, just like in England. There are stories about the brothers visiting road houses for the real thing. Bluto would have contempt for the 50s folk scene as a matter of principle; a treacly folk song would set him off. As you might expect, Miller glorifies the frat’s behavior and it’s worse than the movie. Both look a lot uglier today than they might when you’re young. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/46 "2014-09-01T01:28:42Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Up next… why did D-Day choose to play the William Tell Overture on his throat after riding his motorcycle up the stairs? That was something thrown in by Bruce McGill and John Landis. Landis wanted all the major characters to have a little gimmick so he asked his stars what odd physical thing they can do. McGill’s was playing the _Overture_ on his throat. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/47 "2014-09-01T02:24:16Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > As you might expect, Miller glorifies the frat’s behavior and it’s worse than the movie. Both look a lot uglier today than they might when you’re young. Exactly. When I was 9-10 years old, it was hilarious. Now, I really don’t see why those guys should be glorified. They really had no redeeming qualities at all. ---
**Author:** ![Killing\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/76d3ee/32.png) [@Killing\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Killing_Time)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/48 "2014-09-01T03:11:06Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The more I see this movie, the more I wonder why we are supposed to identify with the Deltas. Yeah, why would I possibly want to identify with a bunch of guys who drink, have parties all the time, and get laid? Oh, right… ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/49 "2014-09-01T03:55:58Z")
You can have fun whether or not you’re otherwise a destructive, misogynistic jerk. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/50 "2014-09-01T04:08:53Z")
It’s a movie. Don’t overthink it. Forget about the modern cash register with an LED display in that one scene. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/51 "2014-09-01T12:39:48Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Exactly. When I was 9-10 years old, it was hilarious. Now, I really don’t see why those guys should be glorified. They really had no redeeming qualities at all. Lighten up. It’s a comedy. It’s STILL hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/52 "2014-09-01T13:04:16Z")
Overall I think smashing the guitar is one of the most justifiable acts Bluto commits in this movie. Pimple impersonation, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/53 "2014-09-01T16:32:11Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > That was something thrown in by Bruce McGill and John Landis. Landis wanted all the major characters to have a little gimmick so he asked his stars what odd physical thing they can do. McGill’s was playing the _Overture_ on his throat. Did anybody notice McGill in _Lincoln_, BTW? He played Secretary of War Edwin Stanton - a pretty good likeness. [http://www.elvisblog.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Bruce-Mcgill-in-Animal-House.jpg](http://www.elvisblog.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Bruce-Mcgill-in-Animal-House.jpg) [![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSzo8KzSZh0/USjfDJRQ-RI/AAAAAAAAwHQ/_fP6dkgb9Zk/s1600/006.JPG) ](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSzo8KzSZh0/USjfDJRQ-RI/AAAAAAAAwHQ/_fP6dkgb9Zk/s1600/006.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Killing\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/76d3ee/32.png) [@Killing\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Killing_Time)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/54 "2014-09-01T18:48:27Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > You can have fun whether or not you’re otherwise a destructive, misogynistic jerk. I have a feeling I’m going to regret asking you this, but how were the Deltas misogynistic? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/55 "2014-09-01T18:55:34Z")
Bluto spying on Mandy and the rest of the girls, Otter seducing the 13 year old, everybody looking up the togas of the girls during the Gator, Boone and Otter talking about conquests before the party, faking a relationship to get dates at Emily Dickenson College, Bluto kidnapping Mandy after destroying the town, etc. Still a very funny movie. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/56 "2014-09-01T19:26:50Z")
Which reminds me… did Otter seduce Flounder’s pretty girlfriend from home when she came to the Delta party? I can’t remember. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/57 "2014-09-01T20:25:37Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Which reminds me… did Otter seduce Flounder’s pretty girlfriend from home when she came to the Delta party? I can’t remember. No. He seduced Dean Wermer’s wife. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/58 "2014-09-02T01:32:30Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > No. He seduced Dean Wermer’s wife. _That_ I remembered (and it’s “Wormer”). Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Killing\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/76d3ee/32.png) [@Killing\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Killing_Time)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/59 "2014-09-02T03:17:01Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bluto spying on Mandy and the rest of the girls, Otter seducing the 13 year old, everybody looking up the togas of the girls during the Gator, Boone and Otter talking about conquests before the party, faking a relationship to get dates at Emily Dickenson College, Bluto kidnapping Mandy after destroying the town, etc. > > Still a very funny movie. Not sure if you know what “misogynistic” means. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786/60 "2014-09-02T03:53:48Z")
Stephen Fry says that the difference between American and British comedy is that, in that scene, a British comedian would play the part of the guy with the guitar. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-house-why-did-john-belushi-destroy-the-guitar/696786.md?page=4)