While political and social commentary still exists, the style of no-holds-barred satire that was popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s is more difficult to find — though that doesn’t mean some issues and pundits couldn’t benefit from the treatment. Ranging from R- to X-rated material, nothing and no one was safe from the wit of the artists’ pitiless pen or writers’ remorseless words. The early years of The National Lampoon set a precedent and generated a new genre of raunchy, antagonistic comedy — and Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of The National Lampoon sets out to prove it.
The Harvard Lampoon magazine was an institution started in the 19th century, but when Doug Kenney and Henry Beard took the helm in the late ‘60s it could no longer be contained and was eventually transformed into The National Lampoon. Parody issues of major magazines and well-known fiction, such as “Bored of the Rings,” attracted a lot of readers and eager contributors. They produced some of the most biting and hard-hitting commentary, taking aim at public figures, social norms and all perceptions of decency. The leadership of the magazine was a volatile concept at times, but attempts to keep it satisfied led to the first National Lampoon movie, Animal House. However the film’s unexpected success made it ripe for imitation and a target for head-hunters. As their style of humour became more mainstream and accessible, the popularity of the magazine waned and ultimately fizzled out.
The subject matter alone should suggest this is not a documentary for anyone who is easily offended. After all this was the magazine that gave the world the “Buy This Magazine Or We’ll Shoot This Dog” cover and the “Vietnamese Baby Book,” frequently garnering condemnation and lawsuits. In retracing the history of the monthly, director Douglas Tirola adopts the style of the publication to illustrate certain developments as well as repurposes many of the original artwork and articles. The result is a fair amount of nudity and controversial commentary that will cause viewers to laugh, cringe and blush.
A mix of present-day recollections and never-before-seen interviews blends for an incredibly candid review of the publication’s inception, growth and demise. In between the rise and fall was stage and radio shows, copious amounts of drugs and alcohol, a movie and collaborations with numerous soon-to-be-well-known minds of comedy, including Anne Beatts, P.J. O’Rourke, John Hughes, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Al Jean and Mike Reiss (the latter two currently produce The Simpsons).
Tirola relies heavily on the power of his subject to drive the story, which is a tribute to their influence but also a somewhat lazy approach to making a film. As informative and entertaining as this documentary is, it does feel as if it fails to realize its full potential.
Director: Douglas Tirola
