©1978 Universal City Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.
| Mono |
| Pressing Location |
DiscoVision Carson |
| Label Color |
Red |
| Retail Price |
$15.95 |
| Issued |
December 1978 |
|
| Side |
Running Time |
|
| 1 |
54½ min |
| 2 |
54½ min |
|
|
109 min |
|
| Ratings |
|
| Video Transfer |
  |
| Audio Transfer |
 |
| Replication |
|
|
| Packaging |
|
| Large Open-Top |
| Open-Top |
 |
| Side-Open Sticker |
| Printed |
|
Pressing Notes
Animal House was one of three extended play titles listed in the Silver Catalog; House Calls and
Destry Rides Again are the other two titles. MCA released this extended
play version in 1978 with the original launch of DiscoVision. Copies of Animal House were all snapped up,
with the title being one of the hottest selling discs at the launch in Atlanta. Almost immediately, the discs were
returned as 'defective' - either for not being able to freeze frame (thinking the disc was like all the other titles
at launch) or simply not being able to play them at all. In fact, the Magnavision players could not play them
correctly. DiscoVision was still working out the kinks of the extended play format and Magnavox was behind the
curve in keeping the Magnavision players up to the changes DiscoVision was making in the Extended Play format.
The video transfer is on the dark side, as are all other versions of this film on DiscoVision. The audio is done
with the typical DiscoVision talent for removing all the high-ends from the audio. The side break is poorly placed
in the film, but for a title that runs nearly 110 minutes, and a maximum CLV playing time (in 1978) of 110 minutes,
there wasn't much control without taking the film to a 3rd side. MCA corrected
this side break issue with the 5 sided CAV edition, but that created all new problems
for the boys in Delta house. In addition, there is a place on side 2 - which oddly enough is the 3/4 side break on
the 4 sided version - where there are 2 or 3 frames of black. There is nothing actually missing, just an odd little
gap in the film.
The transfer is shifted too far to the left and as a result, the left edge of the opening credits are missing. This
error was corrected in subsequent masterings of the title. This version of Animal House is among some of
the rarest DiscoVision discs in existence.
| Mono |
| Pressing Location |
DiscoVision Carson |
| Label Color |
Blue |
| Retail Price |
$15.95 |
| Issued |
July 1979 |
|
| Side |
Frames |
Running Time |
|
| 1 |
32,644 |
22min 40sec |
| 2 |
31,994 |
22min 13sec |
| 3 |
31,211 |
21min 41sec |
| 4 |
29,482 |
20min 28sec |
| 5 |
31,920 |
22min 10sec |
|
|
157,251 |
109min 12sec |
|
| Dead Side |
Various |
|
| Ratings |
|
| Video Transfer |
|
| Audio Transfer |
|
| Replication |
|
|
| Packaging |
|
| Large Open-Top |
| Open-Top |
| Side-Open Sticker |
|
| Printed |
|
Pressing Notes
This 5 sided version is actually the 2nd version of this title available. It
stands out as important because side 3 ends with Dean Wormer screaming at the Deltas as they march out of the
auditorium after attending a hearing concerning their "Roman Toga Party." The music builds as the Dean continues
yelling. The DiscoVision side end bumper displays while the film soundtrack continues for several more seconds.
Side 4 begins with the letters being removed from the Delta House, but there are a few frames missing.
DiscoVision stopped shipping the 5 sided version in 1980.
Of all DiscoVision editions, and the side 3/4 break problems aside, the side breaks of this version are by far the
best for this film.
| Mono |
| Pressing Location |
DiscoVision Carson |
| Label Color |
Blue |
| Retail Price |
$24.95 |
| Issued |
April 1980 |
|
| Side |
Frames |
Running Time |
|
| 1 |
38,642 |
26min 50sec |
| 2 |
39,891 |
27min 42sec |
| 3 |
38,962 |
27min 04sec |
| 4 |
39,721 |
27min 35sec |
|
|
157,216 |
109min 11sec |
|
| Ratings |
|
| Video Transfer |
|
| Audio Transfer |
|
| Replication |
|
|
| Packaging |
|
| Large Open-Top |
| Open-Top |
| Side-Open Sticker |
|
| Printed |
|
|
Pressing Notes
The transfer of this edition of Animal House is no better than any of the others. The video is too dark and is
shifted too far to the left, cutting off some of the end credits. The audio is missing most of the high ends as usual.
However, the color is pretty good. Disc replication is generally poor and most copies suffer from speckling.
This version of Animal House corrected all the problems with the 5 sided version. However, the side breaks are
nearly as stupidly placed. For example the side 2-3 break could have been delayed an additional 700 frames to break
in a much more logical position. In fact, the 1987 re-released CLV version placed the side break in this much more
desired location. The side 3-4 break is so bad, it actually occurs in mid sentence.
This is DiscoVision's 3rd attempt at Animal House and began shipping in 1980. There
are no markings of any kind to tell the difference between the two CAV versions and the side breaks are all different.
As noted here, all 5 sided versions are in Side-open Sticker jackets. All printed jackets house the 4 sided version,
however, they have also been spotted in the side-open sticker style jackets. Verify the discs themselves when buying
or trading this title to insure you have all the correct discs for your set.
| Mono |
| Pressing Location |
DiscoVision Carson |
| Label Color |
Red |
| Retail Price |
$24.95 |
| Year Issued |
1981 |
|
| Side |
Chapters |
Running Time |
|
| 1 |
5 |
54½ min |
| 2 |
3 |
54½ min |
|
|
8 |
109 min |
|
| Ratings |
|
| Video Transfer |
|
| Audio Transfer |
|
| Replication |
|
|
| Packaging |
|
| Large Open-Top |
| Open-Top |
| Side-Open Sticker |
| Printed |
|
|
Pressing Notes
This CLV version finally replaced all copies of Animal House in 1981. The MCA Videodisc "shrinking numbers"
bumpers are used. The "Extended Play" markings on the disc label are in the upper left corner in a white box as
seen here on the left. This is interesting since all other extended play discs included the statement under the
side number as seen here on the right. Further, the disc labels do not carry the LaserVision logo, but the jacket
does. Some copies have a disc label as shown on the right (this image taken from Bustin' Loose), indicating
that there may have been several runs of this final Extended play version. However, neither version of the label
had the LaserVision logo.
The video transfer is too dark, as typical for some of the DiscoVision titles. It makes the dark scenes very dark,
and the increased brightness gives the daylight scenes a washed-out appearance. The side break is horribly placed,
and is in the same place in the film as the side 2-3 side break on the 4 sided CAV
version and the original CLV pressing. The image has been recomposed, picking up
significant information on the right side of the picture without loosing any other material. The framing of this version
is the best for this title. Audio transfer is well done, but is missing all the high-ends. Replication is not great -
coming so late in the IBM period, most copies are speckled to a degree. All copies viewed have been speckled. Some have
synchronization errors on side 2 which cause some players to skip randomly.
Animal House was was re-released on MCA Home Video as a 2 sided CLV disc in December 1987. (Catalog #: 16007).
A full frame edition of the film was also issued on DVD in February 1998.
Universal Studios Home Video has released a deluxe edition of Animal House as part of their
Signature Collection. This new edition is
THX® certified and presented in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The
Deluxe Edition (Catalog #: 43884) was issued in October 1998. A
DVD edition of this deluxe edition was also issued in October 1998.
In August 2003, Universal released a "Double Secret Probation Edition" of Animal House. Available in both
widescreen and Full Frame, this edition features new 5.1 audio mix and a "Where are they now" retrospective.
Return to MCA DiscoVision Catalog
MCA DiscoVision Home Page
Updated: October 30, 2006
Copyright ©2004 Blam Entertainment Group
The Lost Weekend - Side 3