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Oregon Communities To Mark 40th Anniversary Of 'Animal House' With Togas And Revelry

A previous Cottage Grove observance of "Animal House" and its ties to the town included a parade in the same downtown area as in the movie.
Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce
A previous Cottage Grove observance of "Animal House" and its ties to the town included a parade in the same downtown area as in the movie.

It’s been 40 years since the landmark comedy film “Animal House” was released. This weekend, commemorative events are happening in Eugene and Cottage Grove, where many scenes were shot. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

A previous Cottage Grove observance of "Animal House" and its ties to the town included a parade in the same downtown area as in the movie.
Credit Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce
A previous Cottage Grove observance of "Animal House" and its ties to the town included a parade in the same downtown area as in the movie.

(MUSIC: SHOUT from Otis Day & The Knights, from soundtrack)

“National Lampoon’s Animal House” is a raunchy, beer-drenched fable of misfits rebelling against staunch conformity and authority.

Travis Palmer of the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, wears a "Deathmobile" hat and shows off a "Toga! Toga! Toga!" t-shirt that'll be part of the swag sold this year. Note the framed photo of Jim Belushi on the file cabinet.
Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
/
KLCC
Travis Palmer of the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, wears a "Deathmobile" hat and shows off a "Toga! Toga! Toga!" t-shirt that'll be part of the swag sold this year. Note the framed photo of Jim Belushi on the file cabinet.

Dean Wormer (from film): “You clowns have been on double-SECRET probation since the beginning of the semester…”

While the original Delta House has been long-demolished, many sites remain, including the Cottage Grove streets where the infamous parade scene was filmed.

Organizers are holding another parade, in an attempt to reclaim a Guinness Book of World Records recognition for most people in white togas.

John Belushi (from film): “Toga! Toga!”

Travis Palmer of Cottage Grove’s Chamber of Commerce was born the year the movie came out. But he and many locals identify with it to this day.

“There’s a character in the movie for everybody," says Palmer. "And I think that’s why it’s such an identifiable film and such a memorable film for people, is they all know a Bluto, they all know a D-Day, or an Otter. 

"Everybody has something they can identify with.”

A replica Deathmobile is parked off of Main and Hwy 99 in Cottage Grove, which'll be featured in this year's observance.
Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
/
KLCC
A replica Deathmobile is parked off of Main and Hwy 99 in Cottage Grove, which'll be featured in this year's observance.

(MUSIC: LOUIE, LOUIE by The Kingsmen)

A replica Deathmobile will be present. Among the musical guests are Otis Day, and The Kingsmen.

Shootings locations for the movie include the University of Oregon (Frat houses, EMU, Johnson Hall); the Dexter Lake Club; and Cottage Grove (Main Street, Armory, and Rainbow Motel (now the Relax Inn).

More information can be found at www.animalhousetoga.com.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

Copyright 2018 KLCC

Brian Bull joined the KLCC News Team in June 2016. He is a 20-year reporter who has worked at NPR, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including three Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award in 2012.